X-Ray Apparatus With Beam Indicator

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention is directed to an indicator for providing visible identification in an x-ray apparatus when x-rays are actually being generated.

2. Description of the Prior Art

In x-ray devices it is known to provide an indicator or "telltale" lamp which is illuminated when the x-ray tube is energized for emitting x-rays. An incorrect display is possible, however, if, for example, due to a faulty contact the lamp is illuminated even though no radiation is present, or the lamp does not become illuminated even though radiation is present.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an indicator for the presence of an x-ray beam which provides an error-free display.

The above object is achieved in accordance with the principles of the present invention in an x-ray apparatus wherein a luminescent foil is located within the apparatus at a location so that the x-ray beam, when present, will be incident thereon. By interaction with the x-ray beam, the luminescent foil generates light, which is transmitted to an exterior of the apparatus by an optical waveguide. The outer end of the optical waveguide may project slightly from the apparatus housing, so that the presence of the x-ray beam can be visibly recognized. Since there are no electrical components or connections subject to failure or malfunctioning, an error-free indicator of the presence of the x-ray beam is achieved.

The luminescent foil and the optical waveguide may be arranged in the housing of the x-ray source, or may be arranged in the housing of the primary radiation diaphragm.

It is possible to provide a single optical waveguide and to transmit the light from the luminescent foil to a single location at the diaphragm housing or the x-ray source housing, however, it is also possible to transmit this light via a plurality of waveguides to various locations at the housings, so that a visible observation can be made at any position to determine whether x-rays are actually being generated.

In those installations wherein the x-ray generator (x-ray source combined with a primary radiation diaphragm) is covered by other components such that the x-ray generator is not easily visible, the optical waveguide can simply be extended to a location which is easily visible by an operator of the apparatus.

The single FIGURE is a side sectional view of an x-ray generator constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention with the relevant internal components being schematically shown.

An x-ray generator consisting of an x-ray source 1 and a primary radiation diaphragm 4, attached thereto, is shown in the drawing. The x-ray source 1 has a housing 3, and the primary radiation diaphragm has a housing 9.

The x-ray source 1 has a focus 2 from which an x-ray beam 6 emanates. The beam 6 exits the housing 3 of the x-ray source 1 via a radiation exit window 12, and enters the housing 9 of the primary radiation diaphragm 4, wherein the beam 6 is limited in size by one or more diaphragm plates 5.

A luminescent foil 7 is disposed in the primary radiation diaphragm 4 at a location so that the x-ray beam 6 is incident thereon, but such that the luminescent foil 7 does not deteriorate the beam 6. The luminescent foil 7 may consist, for example, of the same material as is used for known intensifier foils in x-ray film cassettes. When the x-ray beam 6 is present, i.e. when x-rays are actually being generated, the luminescent foil 7 will interact with the x-rays and generate light. This light is conducted via an optical waveguide 8 to a visible location 10, such as at the exterior of the housing 9 of the primary radiation diaphragm 4. It will be understood that the visible location 10 may be disposed at any location which can be easily seen by an operator of the apparatus, and may even be disposed remote from the actual x-ray generator.

It is thus possible to monitor the presence of x-rays with a high degree of reliability, because it is the actual x-rays which are being used to generate the indicator light, rather than derived quantities such as, for example, the voltage at the x-ray tube.

Alternatively, or in addition, to the above-described indicator structure in the primary radiation diaphragm 4, a similar structure can be disposed in the x-ray source 1. For example, a luminescent foil 13 may be arranged in the housing 3 of the x-ray source 1, with the light generated thereby being conducted to a location 14 at an exterior of the housing 3 via an optical waveguide 11.

It is also possible to provide multiple optical waveguides, each being optically coupled to the luminescent foil 7 or the luminescent foil 13, so that light can be conducted to a plurality of exterior locations, so that indicators identifying the presence of the x-ray beam can be viewed from numerous locations around the apparatus. For example, a further waveguide 15 can be disposed in the primary radiation diaphragm 4 which conducts the light from the luminescent foil 7 to a further exterior location 17. Similarly a further optical waveguide 16 may be provided in the x-ray source 1 for conducting light from the luminescent foil 13 to a further exterior location 18. It will be understood that even further optical waveguides can be provided in any number of different orientations, and one or more of those waveguides may be extended to conduct the light to one or more locations remote from the generator.

Although further modifications and changes may be suggested by those skilled in the art, it is the intention of the inventors to embody within the patent warranted hereon all changes and modifications as resonably and properly come within the scope of their contribution to the art.