Patent ID: 7278787

Claim:
An X-ray apparatus, comprising: an X-ray head having: an X-ray tube having a forward end region; an X-ray radiation source selectively generating X-ray radiation along a central X-ray axis at an object to be investigated; an optical device having an aiming device with an optical axis oriented substantially parallel to the generated X-ray radiation and to be directed at the object, said aiming device having a visible light source generating visible pilot radiation through said optical device at the object to be investigated; a transparent exit region having a given length along said central X-ray axis and forming said forward end region of said X-ray tube for the X-ray radiation and the visible radiation exiting said X-ray tube, said transparent exit region of said X-ray tube being removable; and a tube extension having a forward end region and a length along said central X-ray axis greater than said given length, said tube extension replace said transparent exit region after said transparent exit region is removed, said transparent exit region shaped to connect at said forward end region of said tube extension after installation of said tube extension at said X-ray tube to, thereby, extend said length of said tube extension along said central X-ray axis.