Abstract: A flexible articulating style for an endotracheal tube is provided with a ratchet mechanism whereby to selectively set and maintain a desired curvature of the style, and hence the tube, so that the intubationist may hold the stylet-curved tube with a pencil-like grip at its mid-section for optimal control during intubation.

Abstract: An x-ray tube comprises an envelope, an anode target rotatably mounted within the envelope, and a cathode and window assembly mounted within the envelope and spaced relative to the anode. The cathode and window assembly includes an electrically insulative ceramic base defining an x-ray transmissive window therethrough, a recess formed within the electrically insulative base adjacent to a peripheral portion of the x-ray transmissive window, a filamentary electrode received within the recess, first and second metalized conductive surfaces formed on a surface of the recess on opposite sides of the filamentary electrode and substantially electrically isolated relative to one another, a first terminal electrically connected to the first metalized conductive surface, a second terminal electrically connected to the second metalized conductive surface, and a high voltage cable receptacle located on a second side of the electrically insulative ceramic base.

Abstract: A flexible articulating style for an endotracheal tube is provided with a ratchet mechanism whereby to selectively set and maintain a desired curvature of the style, and hence the tube, so that the intubationist may hold the stylet-curved tube with a pencil-like grip at its mid-section for optimal control during intubation.

Abstract: An X-ray tube has a metal-ceramic envelope having rotatably mounted therein an anode disk, which may be axially translatable and provided with a peripheral rim surface wherein a focal track spiral groove (or multiple annular grooves) is disposed. The groove(s) include a focal spot(s) area spaced from an electron emitting cathode(s), which is associated with a beam-forming structure and an X-ray transparent window mounted within an insulating structure aligned with the focal spot area. The insulating structure incorporates a multiplicity of imbedded annular electrodes which control an accelerating electric field, and which are structurally and operationally integrated into a power-control assembly that provides the electrical power and control signals necessary for the functioning of the X-ray tube.

Abstract: A beam limiting apparatus is provided for reducing the amount of off-focus radiation in the image-forming beam emitted from an x-ray tube assembly. The x-ray tube assembly has a housing with an x-ray port for the passage of x-rays therethrough, a mounting boss defining the x-ray port, an x-ray tube mounted within the housing and defining a glass envelope, an anode mounted within the glass envelope, and a cathode spaced relative to the anode within the glass envelope. A peripheral flange of the beam limiting apparatus is mountable to the mounting boss of the x-ray tube housing, and a radiation-absorbing body of the beam limiting apparatus projects downwardly from the peripheral flange through the x-ray port.