Portable X-ray generator utilizing a cerium-target radiation tube for angiography

• Published in: Journal of electron spectroscopy and related phenomena 2004-07, Vol.137, p.699-704, Article 699
• Main Authors: Sato, E, Hayasi, Y, Germer, R, Tanaka, E, Mori, H, Kawai, T, Ichimaru, T, Sato, S, Takayama, K, Ido, H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cerium characteristic X-rays; Cerium-target X-ray tube; High contrast angiography; K-absorption edge; Microangiogrphy
• ISSN: 0368-2048; 1873-2526
• DOI: 10.1016/j.elspec.2004.02.011

The development of a portable X-ray generator with a cerium-target tube and its application to angiography are described. The portable X-ray generator consists of a main controller, a unit with a Cock–Croft circuit and an X-ray tube, and a personal computer. Negative high voltages are applied to the cathode electrode in the X-ray tube, and the tube voltage and current are regulated by the controller or the computer. The X-ray tube is a glass-enclosed double-focus diode with a cerium target and a 0.5 mm-thick beryllium window. The maximum tube voltage and current were 60 kV and 0.8 mA, respectively. The focal-spot sizes were 4 mm×4 mm (large) and 1 mm×1 mm (small), respectively. Angiography was performed with a computed radiography system using iodine-based microspheres. The tube voltage, the current, the distance between the imaging plate and the X-ray source, and the spot size were 60 kV, 0.4 mA, 1.5 m, and small, respectively. In this angiography, we observed coronary arteries and fine blood vessels of about 50 μm or less with high contrasts.