• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.08a
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• pp.263.1-263.1
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• 2013

탄소나노튜브(CNT)를 이용한 초소형 X선 튜브는 근접 암치료, 비파괴 X선 영상 장치, 휴대용 X선 분광계 등에서 X선 발생소스로 많이 연구되고 있다. 2극형 CNT 에미터의 경우 구조가 단순하여 초소형 X선 튜브에 쉽게 장착할 수 있지만 아노드의 전압과 전류가 연동되기 때문에 튜브의 조작성이 제한적이다. 3극형은 상대적으로 복잡한 구조이고, CNT에서 방출된 전자가 게이트 전극으로 흐르는 누설 전류 그리고 절연체와 충돌하여 차징을 발생시킬 수 있기 때문에 직경이 좁은 초소형 X선 튜브에 구현하기가 쉽지 않다. 하지만 초소형 X선 튜브를 다양한 X선 장치에 응용하기 위해서는 아노드 전압과 전류의 독립된 조작이 가능한 3극형 CNT 에미터가 반드시 구현되어야 한다. 본 발표에서는 전자빔의 아노드 집속을 강화하고 절연체에서의 차징을 줄이는 포커싱 기능의 게이트(FFG) 구조를 제안하였고. 이를 적용하여 초소형 X선 튜브들을 제작하고, 분석하였다. FFG 구조가 성공적으로 적용된 초소형 X선 튜브는 게이트 누설 전류 없이 뛰어난 전류 및 X선 방출 특성을 보였다. 이와는 달리, 몇몇 초소형 X선 튜브들에서는 게이트 누설 전류가 나타났고, 아노드 전압에 의한 게이트 전압 상승이 발생하여 불안정한 구동 특성을 보였다. 초소형 X선 튜브를 밀봉하지 않고 진공 챔버에서 실험한 결과, 유도된 게이트 전압은 상당한 시간이 흐르거나 진공챔버에 공기를 주입하고 다시 진공상태로 만들면 유도전압이 제거되는 것을 볼 수 있었다. 결론적으로 CNT에서 방출된 전자빔이 정상궤도를 벗어나 게이트 누설전류와 차징에 의한 게이트 유도전압을 발생시키면 초소형 X선 튜브가 불안정한 구동을 하고, 결국 튜브의 심각한 결함으로 나타나게 된다. 즉, 게이트 누설 전류와 유도된 게이트 전압은 3극형 CNT 에미터가 장착된 초소형 X선 튜브의 디자인과 제작에 있어서 성공 기준이 될 수 있다.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.39-45
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• 2012

Conventional periphery radiography system has a various problem such as patient dose and the pain of X-ray examination. In this paper, to solve these problems, we suggested insertional miniature x-ray system and we verified the feasibility of this system. First, we performed the Geant4 x-ray simulation to design x-ray collimator and filter to use miniature x-ray tube and we decided optimized thickness of filter and collimator. Also, we measured x-ray spectrum using CdTe detector and PX4 module to verify simulation results. Also, we acquired teeth image of fabricated phantom using conventional dental x-ray and prosed miniature x-ray system. As a results, our system has good image quality as compared to those of conventional systems. Our evaluation of the proposed system indicates that it can be potentially very useful for dental imaging.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics and Information Engineers
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.262-266
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• 2013

A new concept of periapical radiography, intra oral x-ray tube and detector system is introduced. It is new system that a miniature x-ray tube is inserted into mouse and it acquired digital image using external detector. In this study, we have investigated temperature and dose distribution of insertional x-ray tube for periapical radiography. To analyze temperature characteristic of x-ray tube, we attached the thermocouple to surface of x-ray tube and we measured the temperature according to distance. Also, we measured the dose distribution of a miniature x-ray tube according to distance. As a result, temperature was constant to $27^{\circ}C$ over 2mm without cooling system, dose distribution of x-ray tube was 3.14 and 1.84mGy in 3 and 5cm, respectively. Therefore, the proposed x-ray system works in lower dose than conventional dental x-ray system. Thus, it is considered that new concept of system will have a significant effect on medical imaging technology.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.160-167
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• 2015

Radiation exposure from medical diagnostic imaging procedures to patients is one of the most significant interests in diagnostic x-ray system. A miniature x-ray intraoral tube was developed for the first time in the world which can be inserted into the mouth for imaging. Dose evaluation should be carried out in order to utilize such an imaging device for clinical use. In this study, dose evaluation of the new x-ray unit was performed by 1) using a custom made in vivo Pig phantom, 2) determining exposure condition for the clinical use, and 3) measuring patient dose of the new system. On the basis of DRLs (Diagnostic Reference Level) recommended by KDFA (Korea Food & Drug Administration), the ESD (Entrance Skin Dose) and DAP (Dose Area Product) measurements for the new x-ray imaging device were designed and measured. The maximum voltage and current of the x-ray tubes used in this study were 55 kVp, and 300 mA. The active area of the detector was $72{\times}72mm$ with pixel size of $48{\mu}m$. To obtain the operating condition of the new system, pig jaw phantom images showing major tooth-associated tissues, such as clown, pulp cavity were acquired at 1 frame/sec. Changing the beam currents 20 to $80{\mu}A$, x-ray images of 50 frames were obtained for one beam current with optimum x-ray exposure setting. Pig jaw phantom images were acquired from two commercial x-ray imaging units and compared to the new x-ray device: CS 2100, Carestream Dental LLC and EXARO, HIOSSEN, Inc. Their exposure conditions were 60 kV, 7 mA, and 60 kV, 2 mA, respectively. Comparing the new x-ray device and conventional x-ray imaging units, images of the new x-ray device around teeth and their neighboring tissues turn out to be better in spite of its small x-ray field size. ESD of the new x-ray device was measured 1.369 mGy on the beam condition for the best image quality, 0.051 mAs, which is much less than DRLs recommended by IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) and KDFA, both. Its dose distribution in the x-ray field size was observed to be uniform with standard deviation of 5~10 %. DAP of the new x-ray device was $82.4mGy*cm^2$ less than DRL established by KDFA even though its x-ray field size was small. This study shows that the new x-ray imaging device offers better in image quality and lower radiation dose compared to the conventional intraoral units. In additions, methods and know-how for studies in x-ray features could be accumulated from this work.