Shell of X-ray tube

Abstract

The utility model provides an X-ray tube shell which is hollow and annular, openings are formed in a plurality of positions where high-voltage connectors can be installed, and the high-voltage connectors can be connected or the openings can be covered according to the requirements of equipment manufacturers. A window opening is formed in the position, where the X-ray window is possibly installed, of the shell, and the X-ray window is installed or the opening is covered according to the requirements of equipment manufacturers. The shell structure of the X-ray tube is good in universality, and can flexibly meet different requirements of different equipment manufacturers on the position and direction setting of the high-voltage connector and the position setting of the X-ray window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to an X-ray tube in medical imaging equipment, in particular to a shell of the X-ray tube. Background Art

[0002] The X-ray tube is an important device for generating X-rays and is widely used in the medical field. It is usually installed in diagnostic imaging equipment such as X-ray machines, CT scanners, interventional guided therapy, and radiotherapy. The X-ray tube includes components such as a tube, a housing, an X-ray window, and a high-voltage connector. The tube includes a cathode and an anode, which are used to generate X-rays. The housing is usually made of materials such as metal to accommodate the tube and other components. The X-ray window is located on one side of the housing and is usually made of a material with good transmission properties, allowing X-rays to penetrate into the object that needs to be imaged or irradiated. The high-voltage connector is used to connect an external high-voltage power supply to ensure that the X-ray tube can obtain the required high voltage to generate sufficient electron acceleration between the cathode and the anode to generate X-rays.

[0003] On devices from different manufacturers, the corresponding X-ray tube high voltage connectors and X-ray window positions are often different due to differences in the mechanical design and cable routing of the system. In particular, the high voltage connectors often need to be set in different positions and directions according to the design requirements of different imaging devices. Figure 1A , as shown in 1B and 1C, the direction of the high voltage connector 111 may point to the same direction or the opposite direction relative to the X-ray tube axis MM', and the position of the high voltage connector may be set close to or far away from the X-ray window 222. The current solution is for the X-ray tube manufacturer to customize a suitable X-ray tube according to the requirements of the equipment manufacturer, and even minor changes require a time-consuming and long development process. This type of customization often increases the design cost of the product and prolongs the development time, thereby affecting the time to market of the product. At the same time, it also limits the reuse of parts, is not conducive to inventory management, and brings difficulties to the life cycle management of the product. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the housing of the X-ray tube for medical imaging equipment in the prior art. Utility Model Content

[0004] The utility model aims to provide an X-ray tube housing with good versatility. The housing has a simple structure and can flexibly meet the requirements of different medical equipment manufacturers for the location and connection direction of high-voltage connectors and the location setting of X-ray windows without design changes.

[0005] According to one aspect of the utility model, there is provided an X-ray tube housing, comprising a hollow annular shell surrounding a tube axis, the shell having two open end surfaces, the two end surfaces being coverable to form a housing space for the X-ray tube;

[0006] It is characterized in that a plurality of openings communicating with the inside of the housing are provided on the housing, and the openings can be selectively installed with high-voltage connector assemblies or covered by cover plates.

[0007] Preferably, the positions of the openings are respectively close to the two end faces, and at least two of the openings are provided at positions close to the same end face of the housing.

[0008] Preferably, a connector assembly communicating with the opening is further provided on the housing, and the high-voltage connector assembly is installed into the opening through the connector assembly.

[0009] Preferably, the high-voltage connector assembly is rotatably installed into the opening.

[0010] Preferably, two openings respectively close to the two end faces point in the same direction with respect to the tube axis.

[0011] Preferably, two openings respectively close to the two end faces point in opposite directions with respect to the tube axis.

[0012] Preferably, there are four openings, and two openings are respectively provided at each of the two end faces close to the two end faces.

[0013] Preferably, the connector assembly is integrally formed with the housing.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention, an X-ray tube housing is provided, including a hollow annular housing surrounding a tube axis, the housing having two open end faces, and the two end faces can be covered to form a receiving space for an X-ray tube;

[0015] Two window openings communicating with the inside of the housing are provided in the middle of the housing, and their positions are respectively located on both sides of the tube axis, and the window openings can be selectively installed with X-ray windows or covered by window cover plates.

[0016] Preferably, a window connection assembly communicating with the window opening is further provided on the housing, and the X-ray window is installed into the window opening through the window connection assembly.

[0017] Preferably, the window connection assembly is integrally formed with the housing.

[0018] Preferably, the two end faces are respectively covered by rotatable end caps, the end caps are hollow annular, and a cylindrical tube shell communicating with the inside of the end cap is provided on the outer side wall thereof, and the cylindrical tube shell is used for accommodating a high-voltage connector, and the axis of the cylindrical tube shell is not parallel to the axis of the housing.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present utility model, there is also provided a general housing structure for manufacturing an X-ray tube housing, including a hollow annular housing surrounding a tube axis, the housing having two open end faces, and the two end faces can be covered to form a receiving space for the X-ray tube. It is characterized in that the housing has a plurality of positions where connector components and / or window connection components can be manufactured.

[0020] Among them, the connector component is used to install a high-voltage connector component, and the window connection component is used to install an X-ray window.

[0021] There is more material at the plurality of positions where connector components and / or window connection components can be manufactured.

[0022] The present utility model designs the X-ray tube housing into a hollow ring shape and provides openings at a plurality of positions where high-voltage connectors may be installed, and connects the high-voltage connectors or covers the openings according to the requirements of equipment manufacturers. For the same idea, window openings are provided at the positions on the housing where X-ray windows may be installed, and X-ray windows are installed or the window openings are covered according to the needs of equipment manufacturers. The housing structure of this X-ray tube can flexibly meet the different requirements of different equipment manufacturers for the position and direction settings of high-voltage connectors, as well as the position settings of X-ray windows. Thus, the same housing components can be equipped for computer tomography, interventional guidance therapy, and radiotherapy (on-board imaging) systems of different equipment manufacturers, minimizing the modifications required when installing the X-ray tube into various medical X-ray systems. In addition, this general housing structure design shortens the design cycle, reduces costs, and improves the reuse rate of parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C shows an X-ray tube with high-voltage connectors having different connection directions in the prior art;

[0024] Figure 2A and Figure 2B is a schematic diagram of an X-ray tube housing structure according to a preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0025] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a schematic diagram of an X-ray tube housing structure according to another preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0026] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an X-ray tube housing structure according to still another preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0027] Figure 5 shows a general housing structure for manufacturing an X-ray tube housing according to a preferred embodiment of the present utility model;

[0028] Description of reference numerals:

[0029] 1: housing, 10: connector assembly, 101: cover plate, 102: high voltage connector assembly, 103: opening, 20: window connection assembly, 201: window cover plate, 202: X-ray window, 203: window opening, 111: high voltage connector, 222: X-ray window, 300: general housing structure, 4: first end face, 400: first end cover, 401: cylindrical shell, 5: second end face, 500: second end cover, 502: cylindrical shell DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be further described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are exemplary and do not mean to form any limitation on the present invention.

[0031] Figure 2A It is a schematic diagram of an X-ray tube housing structure according to a preferred embodiment of the utility model. The X-ray tube housing in the embodiment includes a shell 1 surrounding the tube axis MM'. The shell 1 is basically annular, hollow, and has two open end faces, namely the first end face 4 on the left and the second end face 5 on the right. The two end faces can be covered to form a space for accommodating an X-ray tube (not shown). A plurality of openings 103 communicating with the interior of the shell are provided on the shell 1. In this embodiment, four openings are provided at positions where the internal high-voltage connector may be connected, and two openings are provided near the first end face 4 and the second end face 5, respectively. The opening positions near each end face are respectively provided on both sides of the tube axis MM'. The technician can set the openings to other numbers, or set the opening positions as needed. For example, the openings can be respectively provided at the first end face near the left and the second end face on the right, and at least two openings can be provided at the same end face near the shell. Each opening 103 is configured to be covered by a cover plate 101 by selecting to install a high-voltage connector assembly 102 according to the design requirements of the equipment manufacturer. When the high-voltage connector assembly 102 is installed in the opening 103, the cathode or anode high-voltage connector inside the X-ray tube can be connected to the external high-voltage generator through the high-voltage connector assembly 102. The cathode high-voltage connector and the anode high-voltage connector can be located at the cathode on the left and the anode on the right, and can also be located in the opposite direction as needed. When there is no high-voltage connector connected to the position of the opening 103, the opening needs to be covered with a cover to maintain the airtight state inside the X-ray tube.

[0032] exist Figure 2AIn the illustrated embodiment, a connector assembly 10 communicating with the opening 103 is further provided on the housing 1, and the high-voltage connector assembly 102 is mounted to the opening 103 through the connector assembly 10. To make the connection more tight and reliable and maintain the airtight state of the X-ray tube, the high-voltage connector assembly 102 can be rotatably mounted to the opening or the connector assembly. As Figure 2A shown, the high-voltage connector assemblies are respectively mounted to the opening near the end face 4 and above the tube axis and the opening near the end face 5 and below the tube axis, and the remaining openings are covered with a cover plate, and the cover plate can also cover the connector assembly. Such an arrangement can be applicable to the case where the two high-voltage connectors point in different directions relative to the tube axis.

[0033] In Figure 3A the illustrated embodiment, 4 openings at the same positions as those in Figure 2A are provided, and the two openings on the same side above the tube axis are respectively connected to the high-voltage connector assemblies, while the remaining openings are covered with a cover plate, which can be applicable to the case where the two high-voltage connectors point in the same direction relative to the tube axis.

[0034] By selectively connecting some of the openings to the high-voltage connector assemblies and covering the remaining openings with a cover plate to maintain the airtight state of the X-ray tube, the direction of the high-voltage connector relative to the tube axis can be flexibly set, so as to meet the different requirements of different equipment manufacturers for the position and direction of the high-voltage connector.

[0035] In addition, since there are also differences in the direction or position of the X-ray window of different equipment manufacturers relative to the high-voltage connector, it is also desired to be able to flexibly set the position of the X-ray window. For the same idea, window openings are provided at the positions on the X-ray tube housing where the X-ray window may be provided. As Figure 2A , 2B shown in 3A and 3B, two window openings 203 communicating with the inside of the housing are provided in the middle of the housing 1 (the number of window openings can also be set to other numbers according to needs), and their positions are respectively on both sides of the tube axis. The window openings 203 can be selectively installed with the X-ray window 202 or covered with the window cover plate 201. As Figure 2B shown, the upper window opening is installed with the X-ray window, and the lower window opening is covered to maintain airtightness, or as Figure 3B shown, the X-ray window is installed below, and the upper window is covered. In this way, the setting requirements of different equipment manufacturers for the position of the X-ray window can be conveniently realized. In the listed embodiments, a window connection assembly 20 communicating with the opening 103 can also be provided on the housing 1, so that the X-ray window 202 can be more conveniently installed to the window opening through the window connection assembly 20. The cover plate can cover the window connection assembly or the window opening.

[0036] During the manufacturing process of the X-ray tube housing, for convenience, the aforementioned connector assembly or window connector assembly can also be integrally formed with the housing.

[0037] In order to be able to more flexibly set the position of the high-voltage connector relative to the window, the present utility model also discloses another embodiment. As Figure 4 shown, the first end face 4 and the second end face 5 of the X-ray tube housing 10 are respectively covered by a first end cap 400 and a second end cap 500 that can rotate around the axis MM'. The end caps 400 and 500 are both hollow rings, and one side 6 of the end cap is closed. On the outer side walls of the end caps 400 and 500, there are respectively provided cylindrical tube shells 401 and 501 that communicate with the inside of the end caps. The cylindrical tube shells 401 and 501 are respectively used to accommodate the high-voltage connectors of the cathode and the anode. The positions of the cathode and the anode can be determined according to the actual situation of the device. The axis NN' of the cylindrical tube shell is not parallel to the axis MM' of the housing. As Figure 4 shown, in this embodiment, the high-voltage connector can be positioned closer to or farther away from the X-ray window 202 by rotating the end cap, so as to meet different position setting requirements of the high-voltage connector.

[0038] As Figure 5 shown, the present utility model also provides a general housing structure 300 for manufacturing an X-ray tube housing, including a hollow ring-shaped housing surrounding the tube axis. The housing has two open end faces, and the two end faces can be covered to form an accommodation space for the X-ray tube. There are multiple potential positions 301 on the housing where connector assemblies and / or window connection assemblies may be provided. Among them, the connector assembly is used to install the high-voltage connector assembly, and the window connection assembly is used to install the X-ray window. There will be more materials in these potential position areas. The housing material can adopt an extruded profile, and the final positions of the high-voltage connector assembly and / or the X-ray window can be determined by the final processing steps. Figure 5 The following four housing structures respectively show the housings of X-ray tubes made of this general housing structure 300 and suitable for different positions and directions of high-voltage connectors.

[0039] The present utility model has been described in detail above in conjunction with specific embodiments. Obviously, the above descriptions and the embodiments shown in the drawings should be understood as exemplary, and their features can be combined with each other without constituting a limitation to the present utility model. For those skilled in the art, various variations or modifications can be made to it without departing from the spirit of the present utility model, and these variations or modifications do not depart from the scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. An X-ray tube housing, comprising a hollow annular shell surrounding a tube axis, the shell having two open end surfaces, the two end surfaces being coverable to form a housing space for an X-ray tube, It is characterized in that The shell is provided with a plurality of openings communicating with the interior of the shell, and the openings can selectively be installed with high-voltage connector components or covered by a cover plate.

2. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of openings are located close to the two end surfaces, respectively, and at least two openings are arranged close to the same end surface of the housing.

3. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 2, wherein: The two openings respectively close to the two end surfaces point to the same direction relative to the tube axis.

4. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 2, wherein: The two openings respectively close to the two end surfaces point to opposite directions relative to the tube axis.

5. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 1, wherein: There are four openings, and two openings are respectively arranged at each end surface close to the two end surfaces.

6. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 1, wherein: The housing is also provided with a connector assembly communicating with the opening, and the high-voltage connector assembly is installed to the opening through the connector assembly.

7. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 6, wherein: The connector assembly is integrally formed with the housing.

8. The X-ray tube housing according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The high voltage connector assembly is rotatably mounted to the opening.

9. An X-ray tube housing, comprising a hollow annular shell surrounding a tube axis, the shell having two open end surfaces, the two end surfaces being coverable to form a housing space for an X-ray tube, It is characterized in that Two window openings communicating with the interior of the shell are arranged in the middle of the shell and are located at two sides of the tube axis respectively. The window openings can be selectively installed with X-ray windows or covered by window covers.

10. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 9, wherein: The housing is also provided with a window connection assembly which is in communication with the window, and the X-ray window is mounted to the window opening via the window connection assembly.

11. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 10, wherein: The window connection assembly is integrally formed with the shell.

12. The X-ray tube housing according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The two end faces are respectively covered by rotatable end covers, which are hollow ring-shaped and have a cylindrical shell connected to the inside of the end cover on its outer wall. The cylindrical shell is used to accommodate a high-voltage connector, and the axis of the cylindrical shell is not parallel to the tube axis.

13. A universal housing structure for making an X-ray tube housing comprises a hollow annular shell surrounding a tube axis, the shell having two open end surfaces, the two end surfaces being coverable to form a housing space for the X-ray tube, Features The housing has a plurality of positions for making connector components and / or window connection components, wherein the connector components are used to install high-voltage connector components, and the window connection components are used to install X-ray windows. The plurality of locations where more material may be used to make the connector assembly and / or the window connection assembly.

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