T Y P E S , FA U LT S A N D I T S

A D VA N C E M E N T S
 Introduction

Types

Common faults

Advancements
• X-RAY TUBE:-a device which is meant for
the production of x-rays.
• An X-ray tube is a vacuum tube.
 Contains a pair of electrodes i.e. a Cathode and an Anode.
 Cathode is a filament that releases electrons when high voltage is applied.
 Anode is made up of tungsten, which attracts the electrons.
 When the electrons released from the cathode come in contact with the
tungsten , they release energy in the form of photons.
 These highly energized photons are channeled through a lead cylinder and
series of filters creating X-rays.
 Principle
 X-ray tube is a device based
on the principle of energy
conversion.

 When the fast moving electron

comes in the vicinity of the
heavy nucleus, it gets attracted
towards the positively charged
nucleus due to columbic force
and gets deviated from its
original path ,In this process
kinetic energy of fast moving
electron is lost and converted
into heat(99%) and X-ray
energy (1%).
• In 1895: X-rays were discovered from experimental discharge tube called as
Crooks tube or Cold cathode tube.
• In 1913 : Crooks tube was improved by William Coolidge c/as Coolidge tube
or Hot cathode tube.
• In 1915: Hooded anode tube.
• In 1920: Oil cooled tube.
• In 1929: Rotating anode tube.
• In 1932: Grid controlled stationary anode tube.
• In 1937: Grid controlled rotating anode tube.
• In 1959: High speed tube.
• In 1998: Development of grid control rotating ……....

anode for angiography by Toshiba.

• In 1999: Double focus stationary anode x-ray
………..tube for mobile c-arm.
.

• In 2002:High speed rotation bearing rotating

……….anode tube for angiography.
. ....

• In 2006 there is introduction of STATRON

x-ray tube by Siemens
  Crookes X-ray tube

• Cathode is on the right the anode is in the

center with attached ‘heat sink’ at left.
• The device at top is a Softener used to regulate
the gas pressure.
• Glass bulb with around 1o-6 to (5 x 10-8)
atm.pressure
• An Al. cathode plate having curve shape to
created the beam of electrons.
• A platinum anode target –(generate X-rays).
Limitations:
• Relatively low intensity of x-ray (not more than 5mA)
was unreliable and unstable as x-ray production depended
upon the gas content which was a very variable factor.
• This tube can not produce X-rays continuously.
• We can not operate the kvp and the mAs independently as
The Coolidge Tube (Hot Cathode X-Ray Tube)
 Basic Features Of An X-ray Tube
With few technical modification
modern x-ray tubes are similar to Cathode& anode insulator
coolidge tube

Rotor, stator coil

• Glass envelope
(Borosilicate) to
enclose two
electrodes with
vacuum level – 10-7
to 10-8 mm of Hg.
Cathode assembly anode target

Focusing cup
Mo stem
and filament
 X-Ray Tube Components
*
• Housing
– Visible part of tube
• Glass Enclosure
(insert)
– Vacuum
– Electrodes
• Cathode
– Filament

• Anode
– Target
 TUBE HOUSING
…
• Shields against leakage radiation
It is lead lined.
leakage limit:-100 mR / hour when tube operated at maximum continuous current for its
maximum rated kilovoltage.
• Shields against high voltage
• electrically grounded.
• high voltage cable receptacles (wells)
• Housing filled with oil
• Cools,
• electrical insulation,
• bellows on the end of tube allows
oil to expand when hot.
 • FILAMENT: Cathode filament made of thin
Cathode •
tungsten wire which is a source of electrons .
It works on the phenomenon of Thermionic
emission .
• Tungsten spiral wire [dia : 0.2mm].
• Length :1.0 cm
• Diameters of spiral : 0.2 cm
• It has high melting point (33700C).

• It is the negative electrode of the

X-ray tube.
• It consist of a metal structure to
support the filament.
• It consists of
a) Filament –source of electron.
b) Connecting wires which
supply the voltage (about 10
V) and current(3 to 5 A) by
filament heating transformer
c) Metallic focusing cup..
 Focusing Cup
• It is the device surrounding the cathode filament in an X-ray tube.
• This is actually a third electrode in the tube, called a Wehnelt electrode.
• Because of the forces of the mutual repulsion of large no. of electrons this
electrons stream would tend to spread itself out and result in bombardment of
large area on the anode of the X-ray tube.
• This is prevented by a focusing cup which surround the filament.
• If this electrode is not present, the electrons would hit the anode over a very
large area.
• The focusing is achieved by keeping the focusing cup at the same, or slightly
higher, negative potential as that of the cathode filament.
• It is usually made up of Ni because of:
a) Light wt.
b) Poor thermal conductivity
c) High melting point.
 Space Charge
 It is inability to operate the current and
voltage of the x-ray tube
independently .
 When filament is heated emission of
electrons takes place.
 In the absence of high voltage these -
electrons remain around the filament . + -
This cloud repels new electrons from -
the filament this tendency is known as
Space charge effect.
 Since, Space charge is negatively
charged so its presence around
filament prevent further emission of
electrons.
 When high voltage is applied electrons
moved towards anode therefore, space
charge effect is diminished.
kilovoltage & Space Charge
Raising kvp gradually overcomes space charge
• Higher fraction of electrons make it to
anode as kvp increases

• Below 40 kvp the current flowing is

limited by space charge effect

• Above 40 kvp the space charge has no

influence on current flowing in the x ray
tube

 .
 Tube Current (mA)

• Filament current is not tube current. It is the rate of electron flow

from filament to target.Electrons / second
• Measured in milliamperes (mA)
• Limited by
• filament emission (temperature / filament current)
• space charge.
• Positive electrode . Anode
• It consist of target (focal spot) and
cylindrical cu block or tungsten Rhenium
disk.
• Functions:
• Electrical conductor
• Mechanical support for the Target.
• Good thermal radiator.
• Target: The area of the anode struck by the
electrons
• from the cathode.
Made up of a small plate of tungsten 2 or 3mm thick that is embedded in a
large mass of Cu.
• Square or rectangular in shape with each dimension usually greater than
1cm.Anode angle is usually 15-20 deg.
• We use TUNGSTEN as a target material because of following reasons:
• High atomic no.(74)
• High melting point (3370 °C)
• High thermal conductivity.
• It doesn’t vaporize easily.
 Focal Spot
• It is the area actually bombarded by the electron stream on the
target.
• It can be larger or smaller in size.
• A small focal spot is required for producing good radiographic
detail but it may also lead to overheating of target.
• Whereas large focal spot allows greater heat loading but doesn't
produce sharp image.
• This problem was solved in 1918 by the development of line focus
principle .
 Focal Spots
Most tubes have 2 filaments & thus 2 focal spots, only one used at a time
• Small focus
– improved resolution

• Large focus
– improved heat ratings
– Electron beam strikes larger portion of target thus spreading heat produced
to a large area
 Line Focus Principle
• It states that as the anode angle is
made small, the apparent focal
spot also becomes small but with
increased heat loading.
• Focal spot steeply slanted.
• 7-15 degrees typical.
Adv:
• This slope allows x-rays produced
at focal spot to leave the tube
sideways In such a way that the x-
ray beam emerges at right angle to
the long axis of the x-ray tube.
19
 Cont..
• It permits large area for electron
bombardment and a small x-ray source. more +
heat loading with good radiographic detail.
• Sin 6⁰= 0.104
• Sin 21⁰=0.358
Target
Angle,Q
Target Angle Apparent FS = Actual FS X sin ѳ
• Angle between target & perpendicular to
tube axis
• Typically 7 – 15 degrees
 Target Angle (cont.)

• Large Large Target Angle

(large Actual Focal
• better heat ratings Spot)
• better field coverage +
• Large focal spot
• Reduced image quality
• Small
• optimizes heat ratings Small Target Angle
(small Actual Focal Spot)
• limits field coverage
• Small focal spot +
• Better resolution

21
 Types Of X-ray Tubes

X-ray Tubes

Stationary Anode Rotating Anode

x-ray tubes x-ray tubes.
 Stationary Anode X-ray Tube
• Advantages
– Compact Unit
– Less cost
• Limitations
– Since area covered by electrons beam on the target i.e. x-ray source and the
area over which heat is spread are the same so we cannot use higher
electrical loads or high mAs
• Applications
– Dental x-ray sets, small portable and mobile x-ray units with limited output
 Components Of A Stationary Anode X-ray Tubes

• Area of electrons bombardment should be

larger enough to accommodate large amount of
heat.
• Area of x-ray production should be as small as
possible to get sharp images and good
radiographic detail.
Cylindrical cu-block
• The small tungsten target is bounded to larger
cu-block to facilitate heat dissipation. The cu
prevent excessive rise in temp, because of high
thermal conductivity.
1. A source of electrons: Cathode assembly i.e.(filament and
focusing cup.)
2. A means to accelerate the electrons to high velocity voltage across
anode and cathode.
3. A means to slow down the electrons Anode assembly with target
(Tungsten).
4. Glass envelope (Borosilicate) to enclose two electrodes with
vacuum level – with pressure of of 10-7 to 10-8 mm of Hg
• Tube Housing :It is the lead lined aluminum alloy casing in which x-ray
insert in contained.

• The metal case provides protection against

1. Radiation risk
2. Electric risk
3. Serves as a mechanical support to x-ray tube.
 Rotating Anode X-ray Tubes
• Limitations of stationary anode tube
were overcome by rotating anode tube
which were introduced in 1936.

• Based on the principle of removal of

target from the selection beam before it
reaches too, high a temperature by
replacing it by another cooler target I.e.
the target from the face of the rotating
disc or the end of rotating cylinder.
 Main Features of Rotating Anode

 The anode disc is between 55mm and 100mm in diameter and 7

mm thick machined to high tolerance to prevent in balance and
wobble.
 Anode disc is made of Tungsten has its periphery beveled
at an angle 1o⁰-20°.
 The disc has a tungsten rhenium target area as tungsten has a high
melting point 3370 ⁰C and atomic number of 74. The addition of a
small quantity (5-10%) of rhenium prevents crazing of the anode
surface, the tungsten is faced onto a molybdenum disc as
molybdenum whilst not having as high a melting point as tungsten
has twice the heat capacity
 The target disc is mounted on a molybdenum stem attached to the
copper rotor.
 Rotor rotates with speed of 3000 RPM on ball bearings (made of
steel) with dry lubricant( silver
or lead coating).
 The target is cooled by radiation to the glass then oil.
 The Rotor and Bearing System

• The anode disc needs to be rotate at high speed

and this is achieved by attaching the stem to a
large copper rotor, which forms the armature of
a motor.
• The target disc, with rotor, is mounted on a shaft
extending from a rotor body, which can spin on
internal bearings on the rotor shaft.
• This rotor shaft extends through the end of the
insert to the outside of the insert vacuum for
connection to the anode wire, and also is the
mounting point for the insert inside the housing.
• The rotor bearing are special as they need to
operate in a vacuum, conduct a high voltage and
reach high temperatures (500oC). Using steel
bearings lubricated by silver powder solves the
problem.
 The Anode Stator Motor
• The anode stator motor must
accelerate the anode to
working speed rapidly, to ready
it for an x-ray exposure and
then must bring it back to stop
equally rapidly to prevent wear
and wobble on slowing down.
• The “motor” consists of Stator
Electric Xray Exit
electromagnet coils round the supply coil port
glass to provide a rotating
magnetic field to be induced by
the currents and produce the
forces needed to rotate the
copper rotor
32
 cont..
• Advantages
– It permits selection of higher electrical load (exposure
factor without risk of overheating)
• Applications
– Almost universal use in radiography
• Advances
– Reduced target angle
– New anode materials
– Increased speed of anode rotation
– Grid Controlled x-ray tube
– Metal / ceramic x-ray tube
 HEAT RATING:
indicates load limits that a tube can safely accept

• The information in details of the electrical loads which may be applied

to the X- Ray Tube without damaging it & the safe duration of such
loads.
• It is usually provided by the manufacturer
The amount of heat that can safely be used in any given tube is of course
determined by the physical characteristics of the tube itself.
These characteristic would include:
• Focal area
• Anode diameter
• Material of which anode is made
• Speed of anode rotation
• Target angle.
• Heat dissipations i.e volume of oil within the casing.
In considering the tube rating three characteristics are encountered:

 Ability of X-Ray tube to withstand a single exposure.

 Ability of X-Ray tube to function despite rapid exposure.
 Ability of X-ray tube to withstand multiple exposure during
several hours of heavy use.

Three types of x-ray tube rating charts are particularly important:

1.Radiographic rating charts
2.Thermal rating i.e. Anode cooling chart.
3.Angiogrphic rating chart

35
 Calculating Heat Units
• Heat units HU- It is an arbitrary unit that is used to plot
heating and cooling curve charts.

• For a single phase unit,

– HU = kVp x mA x s
• For a 3 phase 6 pulse unit,
– HU = 1.35 x kVp x mA x s
• For a 3 phase 12 pulse unit,
– HU = 1.41 x kVp x mA x s
• For a high frequency unit,
– HU = 1.44 x kVp x mA x s

36
Application Heat storage capacity Target Focal spot size
angle

1.Nueroradiography 0.3 MH.U. 70 0.3mm

2.Angiography 0.4 - 1.35 MHU 12o 0.3,0.6,1.2mm

3. Mammography 0.3 MHU 100 0.6mm

4. General radiography 0.3 - 0.6 MHU 120 0.3,0.6,1.2mm

5. Ct 3.5 - 7.6 MHU 120 0.6mm

 Heel effect
• The intensity of the x ray beam as it leaves the x
ray tube is not uniform throughout all portions of
the beam.

• The intensity of the beam depends on the angle at

which the x rays are emitted from the focal spot .

• The intensity of the film exposure on the anode

side of the x ray tube is less than that on the
cathode side of the tube.
 Cont:

• The decreased
intensity of the x
ray beam that is
emitted more
nearly parallel to
the surface of the
angled target is
caused by the
absorption of some
of the x ray photons
by the target itself.

39
 Three Clinically Important Aspects Of Heel Effect:

• Intensity of x- rays on anode side of x-ray tube is

significantly less than that on cathode side. This
factor is useful in obtaining balanced densities in
radiographs of body parts of different thickness.

• Heel effect is less noticeable when longer focus

film distances are used.

• For equal FFD heel effect will be less for smaller

films.
 Common faults in x-ray tube

Any type of problem that deteriorate or block the output of x-rays from
the x-ray unit is termed as common faults of x-ray unit……..
Faults related with the TARGET

Faults related with the GLASS ENVELOPE

Faults related with ROTOR STATOR ASSEMBLY

Faults related with CATHODE

Faults related with HOUSING SYSTEM

41
 Common faults related with target
 Fault: melted spots on anode/crazy paving of anode/ erosion of
target track
 Cause :-due to over use specially (heat capacity exceeded).Incase
of the stationary anode x-ray tube
• Effect :- increased heel effect ,heterogeneous x-ray output.
• Remedy :-use of rhenium that increase the target life by providing
mechanical stability due to pitting/operate the tube in safe rating
zone.
 Cont:

• Fault:-no exposure/thermal
shock
• Cause: heavy radiography
exposure made on a cold target
can cause (high mA on cold
anode)
Effect: anode disc splits radically./
can cause cracks in anode (tube
death)/noisy rotation
Remedy: do warm up exposure. Or
use of the stress relieved anodes. As
described

43
 Preventions
• Eliminates thermal shock
from high mA exposures on
cold anode.
• Warm-up needed whenever
tube cold.
– Once in the morning
not sufficient if tube
not used for several
hours.
 Faults In Filament
Indication :
• No exposure

Reason
• Due to evaporation of filament
• Due to continuous exposure the filament become thinner and
thinner an finally breaks.

Remedy
• Replacement of tube insert
• Filament boosting time should be kept as short as possible.

45
 Faults in glass envelope
• Fault:-Formation of mirror due to heat, vaporized tungsten is
deposited as a thin layer on inside of glass envelope, producing
mirror like reflecting surface./ arcing of the glass.
• Causes – can be caused by filament evaporation
• deposition of filament on glass envelope as result of
• high filament currents
• long filament boost time
• Effect :-results off focus radiation. /electrons move from filament
to tube housing instead of to anode
• Remedy :-reduce by not holding first trigger longer than needed/use of metal
ceramic tube.

46
• Fault:-cracking of glass tube

• Causes – mishandling of x-ray unit specially in

the case of mobile x-ray tube

• Effect : increased leakage radiation dose.

• Remedy :-Use of metal ceramic tube .

 Tube Insert Damage
• prevents proper rotation
of anode
• anode can run too slow
• anode can stop
• results in thermal
damage to anode
(melted spots)
• Filament break

– renders one focal spot

48
completely inoperative
 Oil Leaks
• May be accompanied
by air bubble in
housing.

• Eventually causes high

voltage arcing.

• Requires immediate
service attention.
 High Voltage Arcs
• electrons move from filament to tube housing instead of to anode
• very short exposure with instantaneously very high mA
– Generator often drops off line

arcing
 How To Maximize X-ray Tube Life:
• Minimize filament boost time.
• Use lower tube current (mA).
• Follow Tube rating chart.
• Do not exceed anode thermal capacity or dissipation
rate of the target.
• Do not make high mA exposure on a cold target.
• Anode should not be run unnecessarily.
 Tube Warm-up Procedures
• By warming the anode through a series of exposures and
increasing kvp settings, the anode will build up heat that is needed
to avoid fracture of the anode.
• This process takes a little over one minute put will add to the life
of the tube.
• Close shutters of collimator.
 Advancement in rotating x-ray tube
Advancement with target
Advancement in target angle
Advancement in target material
Advancement in target
diameter
Advancement in speed of target
Other advancement

Grid controlled x-ray tube
Metal ceramic x-ray tube
Stereoscopic x-ray tube

53
 Advancements in rotating x-ray tube

Main feature of rotating X-ray tube:

• The shape of the glass envelope has been modified to
accommodate the different types of the electrode and the rotating
assembly.
• Dry lubricants are used for rotation like silver , lead
• Rotation of anode is achieve by the process of electro-magnetic
induction in rotor and stator assembly.
• Cathode cup and filament are offset the target track near the
periphery of the beveled anode track( angled at 6*-20*)
• Disc is connected to anode stem made up of Mb.
Advancement in target of x-ray tube
Reduction In target angle:-as
the cooling capacity is
increases so now a days we
can go on reduced target
angle to get sharp image with
small target by minimizes the
order to obtain sharp image as
small focal spot decreases the
geometric unsharpness. Now
a days we have switching to 6
degree from 20 degree..
 Biangular Tubes
• The anode of a biangular
tube has two focal tracks
(Inner for fine focus) and
outer for broad focus with
cathode having two
filaments arranged one
above the other
• The surface of the anode
disc is beveled at two angles
• Thus fine focus used for
radiographic exam requiring
more details, where as large
for routine radiography.
 New Anode Materials
Earlier it was tungsten alone .
• Rhenium 10% + tungsten 90% .(less roughening . Higher tube
life)
• (Rhenium + tungsten ) over molybdenum base . (less weight .
Inertia.)
• Rhenium + Tungsten (+titanium + Zirconium + molybdenum).
• (Rhenium + tungsten ) over molybdenum base . + graphite as
backing layer
• (Rhenium + tungsten) + CVD Graphite base.
Advantage
• Higher heat storage capacity permitting higher tube rating with
prolonged tube life
57
 Spiral Grooves Bearing
• Gallium liquid alloy used as liquid
within spiral grooves.
• Advantages
– Allow use of high mA and
shorter exposure time.
– Allow possible use of smaller
focal spot.
• Disadvantages
– Initial high cost of equipment
– Longer prepare time
– Greater wear and tear bearings
– Require breaking system
58
 Blackening of anode disc
• The method is applied to those anodes having slits and grooves.
Where the rear surface is blackened which results in reduction of
anode temp.
• A blackened anode disc increases the fluoroscopic output of a tube
due to the reduction of anode heating.

Increased Speed Of Anode Rotation

• At normal speed the anode rotates with the speed 3000 RPM whereas at high
speed 9000-10,000 RPM with 3- phase supply.
• At high speed quicker rate of heat dissipation will be there allowing greater
input load (higher rating capacity) but at short exposure.

59
 Metal-ceramic tubes are now being used in
X-ray equipment

• A more recent development in X-ray tube construction is the metal-

ceramic tube, which is made from a steel (ferrochrome ) cylinder
brazed to alumina ceramic (aluminum oxide )insulators at each end.
These insulators carry the anode and cathode assemblies. The metal-
ceramic tubes are smaller and more robust than their glass
equivalents. They have another advantage, in that they enable more
flexibility in the electrical circuitry associated with the tube.
• Offers greater heat dissipation results less load to the x-ray tube.
• Metal envelope grounded offers no chance of arcing of x-ray tube.
• Anode rotates on a axle with bearing at each end providing greater
stability and reduced stress on shaft this permits use of massive
anode.
 Features of Metal ceramic X-ray tube

• Offer greater heat dissipation results less load to the

x-ray tube .
• Metal envelope grounded offers no chance of arcing of x-ray tube
 Advantages Of Metal\ceramic Tube

• Higher Tube Loading

– Allows higher tube currents to be used because of larger
heat storage capacity of anode
• Longer Tube Life
– Deposition of tungsten on the glass wall acts as electrode
causing arcing bet. Glass and filament shortening tube life.
When metal enclosure is grounded, this deposition will not
alter grounding thus increasing its life
• Reduced off Focus Radiation
– Electrons back scattered from the anode may strike anode
again producing x-rays from areas other than focal spot. The
metal enclosure decreases off focus radiation by attracting off
focus electrons to the grounded metal wall relatively Positive
as compared to electrons. Low atomic no. of metal may
produce few and low energy x-rays.
62
 Grid Controlled X-ray Tube

• A third electrode called grid is used.

• Focusing cup surrounding the filament cup is used as
third electrode to control the flow of electron.
• A negative bias voltage around 1500 V is applied to the
cup relative to the filament to punch off the flow of
electron.
• Thus focusing cup acts as exposure switch to turn the
current ON or OFF when required.
• Application in capacitor discharged mobile
radiographic equipment , pulsed-fluoroscopy and
cardio-angiography and vascular angiography.
63
 Different Type Of X-ray Tubes
• Depending Upon Applications

• Mammography tube

• CT X-ray tube

• X-ray tube for angiography

• Radiotherapy X-ray tube

• Stereographic X-ray tube

• Field emission X-ray Tube

64
 Mammography X-ray Tube
• For maximum
visualization of soft
tissues of the breast
having similar ability to
absorb x-rays a beam of
soft radiation (longer
wavelength ) is required
• Longer wavelength can
be produced by selecting
x-ray tube which operate
at low KVp (20-40)

65
 Features of a Mammography Tube
• Use of target made of molybdenum.
• Closer spacing of cathode and anode.
• Beryllium window : is used as it has low atomic no.(4)
& lower absorption of x-rays.
• Use of molybdenum filter in place of aluminum filter.
• Focal spot size-0.3-0.35mm.
• Heat storage capacity- 0.3-0.5 M.H.U .

66
 Latest developments in Mammography Units
 Introduction of the dual metal x ray tubes (having dual track of
molybdenum/vanadium & rhodium).rhodium track & filter
produces a slightly higher x ray spectrum for superior penetration
of the dense breast tissue in the younger women and in those who
have undergone radiation treatment or on hormone therapy.
 Mo /tungsten dual track with a high emission flat emitter cathode
with different k-edge filters mo & rhodium meant for normal and
dense breast.
• But with an increase in x-ray tube voltage from 25 to 30Kv
simultaneously replacing Mo with a rhodium filter the x-ray
spectrum for a tungsten anode is clearly shifted and higher energy
especially advantageous for the radiography of large subject/dense
breasts.
67
 CT X-Ray Tube
• Since CT require longer continuous exposure time at higher
KV and ma than needed for general radiography.
• These have been charged with heavy duty rotating anode tube
with higher thermal capacity and smaller focal spot (up to
0.6mm). These tubes are air cooled with current value up to
600mA.
• It Should supply monochromatic X-ray beam for accurate
reconstruction.
• Earlier model used were oil cooled ,Fixed anode relatively
large (2x16mm)focal spot operated at 120 kVp & 30 mA &
heavily filtered as those use in radiotherapy.

68
 Developments in CT Tubes
• One of the more interesting developments is the Siemens Straton
x-ray tube, which is currently available as an option on Sensation
16 scanners (Fig ).
• The tube itself is a radical new design, where the entire tube body
rotates, rather than just the anode, as is the case with conventional
designs. This change allows all the bearings to be located outside
the evacuated tube, and enables the anode to be cooled more
efficiently.
• The Straton has a low inherent heat capacity of 0.8 MHU, but an
extremely fast cooling rate of 5 MHU / min.

69
 Cont..
• This compares with typical figures of 7-8 MHU and up to 1.4
MHU / min for existing tubes.

• The heat capacity and cooling rate combine to produce a tube

which Siemens claim is ‘0 MHU', implying that tube cooling
considerations are a thing of the past. Sensation 16 scanners fitted
with the Straton tube now have a fastest scan time of 0.37
seconds.

70
Conventional / Straton

72
CHARACTE- DIAGNOS THERAPY TUBE MAMOGRA-PHY CT TUBE
RISTIS TIC TUBE TUBE

1 Tube Glass tube Glass tube Glass tube Metal ceramic

tube
2Type of Anode Stationary Stationary type Rotating type Rotating type
or
Rotating
type
3 Target Angle 6⁰-20° 25°- 35° 100 120
4 Focal spot .3, 0.6,1.2 6x6 mm 0.6 mm 0.6mm
size mm
5 Exposure time Shorter longer shorter longer
6 Heat Unit 0.3-0.6 0.1-0.3 MHU 0.3-0.6 MHU 1-2 MHU
capacity MHU
7 Type of focal Dual focus Single focus Dual focus Dual focus
spot
8 Pt. radiation less more less more
dose