Estimation of the effective focal spot sizes in medical diagnostic X-ray tube assemblies

For evaluation of the effective focal spot sizes (EFSS), a method suggested by the EN 60336:2005 standard (standard) could be used. In this study we checked whether it is possible to make some deviations from the requirements of the standard without a significant effect on the result. An image receptor with one intensifying screen or two intensifying screens may be used, but the optical value of the slit image shall be in the range of 1.0÷1.4 and the X-ray tube power shall be ranged of about 30%÷50% of the nominal anode input power. A precision scaled magnifier (magnification of 5÷10x and scale of 0.1 mm) may be used for the slit radiogram width measurement instead of a time-consuming scanning of the slit radiogram. These deviations from the requirements of the EN 60336:2005 standard allows to shorten measurement time and to decrease tube current value during X-ray exposures, which reduces the risk of the Xray tube damage.