With Electron Focusing Or Intensity Control Means Patents (Class 378/138)
  • Publication number: 20100061516
    Abstract: An x-ray tube has a number of emitters that generate respective electron beams, and has a common anode at which the electron beams strike on a surface to generate x-rays. A high x-ray dose power with a long lifespan are achieved while being able to quickly vary the x-ray dose power by using a superimposed intensity distribution from the x-ray beams, which is measured by a detector, to optimize the x-ray beams on the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Inventors: Joerg Freudenberger, Ernst Neumeier
  • Patent number: 7664229
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube, having a structure enabling capturing of a clear magnified transmission image and enabling increase of a magnification factor of the magnified transmission image, and an X-ray source including the X-ray tube. In the X-ray tube, X-rays are generated by making electrons from an electron gun incident onto an X-ray target of an anode, disposed inside an anode housing unit, and the generated X-rays are taken out from an X-ray emission window. In particular, the anode housing unit has a pair of conductive flat portions disposed parallel to a reference plane, orthogonal to an electron incidence surface of the X-ray target, and so as to sandwich the X-ray target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Okada, Tutomu Inazuru
  • Patent number: 7660391
    Abstract: Various novel apparatuses and methods for generating X-rays are disclosed. In some embodiments, for example, an apparatus may be configured and arranged so that, for at least one interception point on a particular portion of a scan path on a surface of a target along which a steering element steers an accelerated electron beam (e-beam), both an angle and its complement between a line corresponding to a direction in which the accelerated e-beam is traveling at the interception point and a line oriented normal to the surface of the target at such interception point are greater than forty five degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: L-3 Communications Security and Detection Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Boris Oreper, Richard Franklin Eilbert
  • Publication number: 20100020938
    Abstract: A device and method for X-ray tube focal spot parameter control, wherein stray electrons are detected in an X-ray tube. The detected electrons lead to a signal having a characteristic pattern. The characteristic pattern may be evaluated, and based on the evaluation a controlling signal may be outputted so that a fast and exact controlling of the operating parameters of an X-ray tube may be carried out based on the detected stray electrons.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2007
    Publication date: January 28, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Lothar Koch, Wolfgang Chrost, Horst Roloff
  • Patent number: 7653178
    Abstract: A method for generating an X-ray includes the steps of: flattening an electron beam with a circular cross section by means of Lorentz force to form a flat electron beam with a flat cross section under the condition so that an intensity of the flat electron beam per unit area can be set higher than an intensity of said electron beam per unit area; and irradiating the flat electron beam onto a target, thereby generating an X-ray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Inventor: Satoshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 7649980
    Abstract: A transmission target of a vacuum container is operable to have a ground potential and an electro-optical system is floated at a positive potential in the vacuum container. An electron beam, which is converged by means of the electro-optical system, is decelerated immediately before the electron beam is incident to the transmission target. The electron beam has energy that is several times of the final set value until the electron beam passes through the electro-optical system, and a divergence action exerted by a spatial electric charge effect is reduced. Color aberration of the electro-optical system is proportional to energy of the electron beam. Thus, if the electron beam is decelerated after the electron beam has passed through the electro-optical system, aberration is reduced in proportion to the degree of deceleration, making it possible to concurrently reduce a focus size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignees: The University of Tokyo, Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutada Aoki, Akiko Kakutani, Tsuyoshi Sugawara, Motosuke Miyoshi
  • Publication number: 20100008470
    Abstract: According to an exemplary embodiment an x-ray tube comprises a cathode, rotable disc anode, and a focal spot modulating unit, wherein the cathode is adapted to emit an electron beam, and wherein the focal spot modulating unit is adapted to modulate the electron beam in such a way that an intensity distribution of the electron beam on a focal spot on the anode is asymmetric such that the intensity of the electron beam on the focal spot is higher at the front of the focal spot with respect to the rotation direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventors: Stefan Hauttmann, Rainer Pietig, Jeroen Jan Lambertus Horikx
  • Patent number: 7646852
    Abstract: A system, a processor, and a method for tracking a focus of a beam are described. The method includes determining a plurality of intensities corresponding to a plurality of voltages, and applying a first voltage of the plurality of voltages corresponding to a maximum intensity of the plurality of intensities during a scan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2010
    Assignee: GE Security, Inc.
    Inventor: Geoffrey Harding
  • Publication number: 20100002843
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a standing wave linear accelerator, comprising: a microwave device configured to generate microwave; an electron beam emitting device configured to emit electron beam; an accelerating device configured to receive the microwave generated by the microwave device and form a microwave electric field, to accelerate electron beams generated from the electron beam emitting device and undertake the accelerated electron beam targeting to emit X ray beam; a synchronous device generating synchronous pulse signal; and a quick beam emitting device receiving the synchronous pulse signal generated by the synchronous device, wherein the microwave device runs and generates microwave in advance before the operation of the electron beam emitting device based on the synchronous pulse signal, and the quick beam emitting device drives the electron beam emitting device to emit electron beam after power of the microwave generated by the microwave device reaches stable state, so that the accelerating d
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 25, 2006
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Yaohong Liu, Chuanxiang Tang, Yuanjing Li, Jinsheng Liu, Wei Jia, Jianjun Gao, Huaping Tang, Chong Gu, Wei Yin, Dan Zhang, Qinghui Zhang
  • Patent number: 7627087
    Abstract: A field emitter electron gun includes at least one field emitter cathode deposited on a substrate layer and configured to generate an electron beam. An extraction plate having an opening therethrough is positioned adjacent to the at least one field emitter cathode and is operated at a voltage so as to extract the electron beam out therefrom. A meshed grid is disposed between each of the at least one field emitter cathodes and the extraction plate. The meshed grid is configured to operate at a voltage so as to enhance an electric field at a surface of the at least one field emitter cathode. The meshed grid is a one-dimensional grid configured to focus the electron beam received from the at least one field emitter cathode into a desired spot size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yun Zou, Mark E. Vermilyea
  • Patent number: 7609815
    Abstract: Techniques for controllably directing beamlets to a target substrate are disclosed. The beamlets may be either positive ions or electrons. It has been shown that beamlets may be produced with a diameter of 1 ?m, with inter-aperture spacings of 12 ?m. An array of such beamlets, may be used for maskless lithography. By step-wise movement of the beamlets relative to the target substrate, individual devices may be directly e-beam written. Ion beams may be directly written as well. Due to the high brightness of the beamlets from extraction from a multicusp source, exposure times for lithographic exposure are thought to be minimized. Alternatively, the beamlets may be electrons striking a high Z material for X-ray production, thereafter collimated to provide patterned X-ray exposures such as those used in CAT scans. Such a device may be used for remote detection of explosives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Ka-Ngo Leung, Qing Ji, William A. Barletta, Ximan Jiang, Lili Ji
  • Publication number: 20090257562
    Abstract: A conical anode X-ray source with a spot size approximately one tenth of the size of existing mammography devices. The source produces the same or higher radiance than the prior art. It also produces almost no high-energy Bremstrahlung. The electron beam is directed into a conical anode so that it strikes the reflecting surface at an angle which produces total internal reflection. The X-rays emitted via the reflection would ordinarily exit the small end of the conical anode in a diverging conical pattern—producing an undesirable “ring” configuration at the image plane. A homogenizing optic is therefore preferably added to the small end of the conical anode. The homogenizing optic is sized to reflect the X-rays emerging from the conical anode and thereby create a uniform “spot” source at the far end of the homogenizing optic.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: David O'Hara
  • Publication number: 20090245470
    Abstract: An X-ray tube includes an emitter wire (18) enclosed in a suppressor (14, 16). An extraction grid comprises a number of parallel wires (20) extending perpendicular to the emitter wire, and a focusing grid comprises a number of wires (22) parallel to the grid wires (20) and spaced apart at equal spacing to the grid wires (20). The grid wire are connected by means of switches to a positive extracting potential or a negative inhibiting potential, and the switches are controlled so that at any one time a pair of adjacent grid wires (22) are connected together to form an extracting pair, which produce an electron beam. The position of the beam is moved by switching different pairs of grid wires to the extracting potential.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2009
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis
  • Publication number: 20090232279
    Abstract: An improved electron bombardment device includes a first tubular member for containing a target material and a second tubular member surrounding the first tubular member, leaving a space between the first and second tubular members. In an embodiment of the invention, the second tubular member is an electron emitting material, and the bombardment device includes a voltage application means for accelerating emitted electrons from the second tubular member towards the first tubular member. In a further embodiment of the invention, the second tubular member comprises a thermionic electron emitting material. In an alternative embodiment, the second tubular member comprises a field electron emitting material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley D. Lesiak, Heinz H. Busta, Bruce M. Zwicker
  • Patent number: 7580506
    Abstract: A method is provided for decontaminating biological pathogens residing in an enclosure of an electronic device. The method includes: identifying materials used to encase the enclosure of the electronic device; tailoring x-ray radiation to penetrate the materials encasing the enclosure; and directing x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle towards the electronic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Harris Corporation
    Inventors: John R. DeSalvo, Charles M. Newton, William T. Silfvast, Gregory M. Shimkaveg
  • Patent number: 7576481
    Abstract: A method of producing a cathode for use in an x-ray tube assembly is provided including machining an emission aperture into a cup emission surface portion of a cup structure. The cup structure is comprised of a cup base portion opposite the cup emissions surface portion. Electro-discharge machining is used to form an electro-discharge machining slot into the cup structure to provide access to the interior of the cup structure. Electro-discharge machining is used to form a transverse coil chamber within the interior by way of the electro-discharge machining slot such that the transverse coil chamber is formed between the cup base portion and the cup emissions surface portion while retaining an essentially contiguous emissions surface perimeter surrounding the emission aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Co.
    Inventor: Sergio Lemaitre
  • Publication number: 20090185660
    Abstract: A multiple spot x-ray generator is provided that includes a plurality of electron generators. Each electron generator includes an emitter element to emit an electron beam, a meshed grid adjacent each emitter element to enhance an electric field at a surface of the emitter element, and a focusing element positioned to receive the electron beam from each of the emitter elements and focus the electron beam to form a focal spot on a shielded target anode, the shielded target anode structure producing an array of x-ray focal spots when impinged by electron beams generated by the plurality of electron generators. The plurality of electron generators are arranged to form an electron generator matrix that includes activation connections electrically connected to the plurality of electron generators, wherein each electron generator is connected to a pair of the activation connections to receive an electric potential therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventors: Yun Zou, Mark E. Vermilyea, Louis Paul Inzinna, Vasile Bogdan Neculaes, John Scott Price, Yang Cao, Antonio Caiafa
  • Publication number: 20090161830
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube, having a structure for realizing improvement of a magnification factor of a magnified transmission image, and an X-ray source that includes the X-ray tube. The X-ray tube includes: a target housing unit, housing an X-ray target; and an electron gun housing unit, one end of which is mounted to a side wall portion of the target housing unit. The electron gun housing unit is disposed so that a tube axis thereof intersects a tube axis of the target housing unit. The electron gun housing unit holds an electron gun while a center of an electron emission exit of the electron gun is shifted more toward an X-ray emission window side, disposed at one end of the side wall portion of the target housing unit, than the tube axis of the electron gun housing unit. By this configuration, a distance (FOD) between the X-ray emission window and the X-ray target can be shortened while maintaining an adequate electron gun output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Tutomu Inazuru
  • Publication number: 20090154651
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube, having a structure enabling capturing of a clear magnified transmission image and enabling increase of a magnification factor of the magnified transmission image, and an X-ray source including the X-ray tube. In the X-ray tube, X-rays are generated by making electrons from an electron gun incident onto an X-ray target of an anode, disposed inside an anode housing unit, and the generated X-rays are taken out from an X-ray emission window. In particular, the anode housing unit has a pair of conductive flat portions disposed parallel to a reference plane, orthogonal to an electron incidence surface of the X-ray target, and so as to sandwich the X-ray target.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 4, 2006
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: HAMAMATSU PHOTONICS K.K.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Okada, Tutomu Inazuru
  • Publication number: 20090154650
    Abstract: The electron beam corresponding to radiation intensity data 112 is output from an electron source 103 by supplying high energy pulse p-1 through p-n corresponding to the radiation intensity data 112 of the radiation field to electron source 103 from power source 108. This electron beam is deflected to be incident in parallel to the medial axis of the X-ray target tube by a deflection means comprising electromagnets, X-ray beam x-1 through x-n which electron beam collides to the inner wall of X-ray target tube 104-1 through 104-n, and have desired intensity is irradiated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2008
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: AET, INC.
    Inventor: Eiji TANABE
  • Patent number: 7542549
    Abstract: An improved x-ray generation system produces a converging or diverging radiation pattern particularly suited for substantially cylindrical or spherical treatment devices. In an embodiment, the system comprises a closed or concave outer wall about a closed or concave inner wall. An electron emitter is situated on the inside surface of the outer wall, while a target film is situated on the outside surface of the inner wall. An extraction voltage at the emitter extracts electrons which are accelerated toward the inner wall by an acceleration voltage. Alternately, electron emission may be by thermionic means. Collisions of electrons with the target film causes x-ray emission, a substantial portion of which is directed through the inner wall into the space defined within. In an embodiment, the location of the emitter and target film are reversed, establishing a reflective rather than transmissive mode for convergent patterns and a transmissive mode for divergent patterns.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Assignee: Cabot Microelectronics Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley D. Lesiak, Heinz H. Busta, Bruce M. Zwicker
  • Publication number: 20090122961
    Abstract: A method for generating an X-ray includes the steps of: flattening an electron beam with a circular cross section by means of Lorentz force to form a flat electron beam with a flat cross section under the condition so that an intensity of the flat electron beam per unit area can be set higher than an intensity of said electron beam per unit area; and irradiating the flat electron beam onto a target, thereby generating an X-ray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventor: Satoshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 7529346
    Abstract: In a method for stabilizing the size of a focal spot of an X-ray tube and contrast modulation function of a X-ray tube, the tube has a cathode comprising a concentrator and a heating filament. It has an anode is placed so as to be facing the cathode. With the filament, the cathode produces an electron beam bombarding the focal spot of the anode. A bias voltage is applied between a terminal of the filament and a terminal of the concentrator. The tube has means to measure the size of the focal spot and the function of contrast modulation. It also has means to regulate the size of the focal spot and the contrast modulation function by means of a bias voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Christelle Gaudin, Philippe Blin
  • Patent number: 7512215
    Abstract: An X-ray tube includes an emitter wire (18) enclosed in a suppressor(14, 16). An extraction grid comprises a number of parallel wires (20) extending perpendicular to the emitter wire, and a focusing grid comprises a number of wires (22) parallel to the grid wires (20) and spaced apart at equal spacing to the grid wires (20). The grid wire are connected by means of switches to a positive extracting potential or a negative inhibiting potential, and the switches are controlled so that at any one time a pair of adjacent grid wires (22) are connected together to form an extracting pair, which produce an electron beam. The position of the beam is moved by switching different pairs of grid wires to the extracting potential.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Rapiscan Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward James Morton, Russell David Luggar, Paul De Antonis
  • Patent number: 7496180
    Abstract: An x-ray tube includes an anode comprising a focal track and a cathode assembly configured to emit an electron beam toward a focal spot on the focal track. The x-ray tube also includes a controller configured to wobble the electron beam among a plurality of focal points in a direction tangent to the focal track. The plurality of focal points includes at least one focal point that is bounded by a pair of boundary focal points. The controller is further configured to delay a wobble of the electron beam away from the at least one focal point for a pre-determined amount of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Madhusudhana T. Subraya, Ron Kent Hockersmith
  • Patent number: 7486984
    Abstract: In embodiments of the invention, a radiosensitizer or other agent is relatively uniformly accumulated in the cells of a tumor. An external monochromatic x-ray beam, which is tuned to a predetermined energy level associated with k-edge effects in the agent, is then directed to the tumor. The monochromatic x-ray beam activates the release of additional localized radiation from the agent. The additional radiation destroys the DNA of at least some tumor cells, making those tumor cells incapable of reproduction and repair. In embodiments of the invention, a single monochromatic x-ray beam source is used for both imaging and radiotherapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: MXISystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank E. Carroll
  • Patent number: 7486776
    Abstract: A shield structure and focal spot control assembly is provided for use in connection with an x-ray device that includes an anode and cathode disposed in a vacuum enclosure in a spaced apart arrangement so that a target surface of the anode is positioned to receive electrons emitted by the cathode. The shield structure is configured to be interposed between the anode and the cathode and includes an interior surface that defines an aperture or other opening through which the electrons are passed from the cathode to the target surface of the anode. Additionally, fluid passageways defined in connection with the shield structure enable cooling of the shield structure. Finally, a magnetic device disposed proximate the cathode facilitates control of the location of the focal spot on the target surface of the anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2009
    Assignee: Varian Medical Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory C. Andrews, James R. Boye
  • Publication number: 20090022277
    Abstract: A cathode header optic for an x-ray tube includes an elongate trench with opposite trench walls. A cup recess is formed in the trench between the opposite trench walls, and has a bounded perimeter. A cathode element is disposed in the trench at the cup recess. The cathode element is capable of heating and releasing electrons. A secondary cathode optic defining a cathode ring can be disposed about the header optic. The cathode optics can form part of an x-ray tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Erik C. Bard, Steven D. Liddiard, Charles R. Jensen
  • Publication number: 20090010389
    Abstract: An X-ray device which is especially applicable to the X-ray imaging for child at the age of 0-3 is provided. The X-ray device can use the X-ray tube (10) which uses the molybdemun target or rhodium target (12) to produce the soft X-ray by the tube voltage between 25 and 50 kV. The synchronous-exposing equipment contained in the X-ray device may identify the still status and the breath, pulse status suitable for exposure of the child, automatically select the optimal exposing time so that it can acquire a clear X-ray image through only one X-ray exposure, thus prevent the human body from the needless X-ray radiation caused by the multiple X-ray exposures, and also improve the service efficiency of the equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2005
    Publication date: January 8, 2009
    Inventors: Yue Ma, Yan Zhou
  • Publication number: 20080304624
    Abstract: A transmission target of a vacuum container is operable to have a ground potential and an electro-optical system is floated at a positive potential in the vacuum container. An electron beam, which is converged by means of the electro-optical system, is decelerated immediately before the electron beam is incident to the transmission target. The electron beam has energy that is several times of the final set value until the electron beam passes through the electro-optical system, and a divergence action exerted by a spatial electric charge effect is reduced. Color aberration of the electro-optical system is proportional to energy of the electron beam. Thus, if the electron beam is decelerated after the electron beam has passed through the electro-optical system, aberration is reduced in proportion to the degree of deceleration, making it possible to concurrently reduce a focus size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Applicants: The University of Tokyo, Toshiba Electron Tubes & Devices Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobutada Aoki, Akiko Kakutani, Tsuyoshi Sugawara, Motosuke Miyoshi
  • Patent number: 7450690
    Abstract: An x-ray tube assembly is provided comprising a tube casing assembly including a plurality of vertical mount posts. An insulator plate is mounted to the plurality of vertical mount posts such that the insulator plate can translate vertically on the posts. A cathode assembly is mounted to the insulator plate and generates both an eccentric moment and a vertical expansion in response to a cathode power load. A semi-compressible element is positioned between at least one of the vertical mount posts and the insulator plate. The semi-compressible element becomes incompressible at a cathode power threshold such that the vertical expansion is translated into a correction moment countering the eccentric moment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Wayne Frederick Block, Edward Emaci, Sergio Lemaitre, Ron Kent Hockersmith
  • Patent number: 7447536
    Abstract: Certain embodiments include a method and system for measuring and imaging local lung function. The method includes triggering an image scan of at least a lung cross-section of a patient, scanning the lung cross-section during at least one of an inspiration and an expiration of air by the patient to obtain lung image data and measuring a lung function during at least one of an inspiration and an expiration of air by the patient to obtain lung function data. The method may also include performing a preview scan of the patient to identify the lung cross-section for imaging. Additionally, the lung image data and lung function data may be combined for use in diagnosis of the patient. The lung image data and lung function data may also be output. The method may further include processing the lung function data to generate a plot of lung attenuation versus time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: G.E. Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
    Inventor: David Guy Hill
  • Patent number: 7428298
    Abstract: An X-ray source includes a magnetic appliance to provide electron beam focusing. The magnetic appliance can provide variably focused and non-focused configurations. The magnetic appliance can include one or more electromagnets and/or permanent magnets. An electric potential difference is applied to an anode and a cathode that are disposed on opposite sides of an evacuated tube. The cathode includes a cathode element to produce electrons that are accelerated towards the anode in response to the electric field between the anode and the cathode. The anode includes a target material to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Bard, Charles R. Jensen, Arturo Reyes, Shaun P. Ogden, Steven D. Liddiard
  • Patent number: 7424095
    Abstract: Modular X-ray tube (10) and method for the production of such an X-ray tube, in which an anode (20) and a cathode (30) are arranged in a vacuumized inner space (40) situated opposite each other, electrons (e?) being produced at the cathode (30) and X-rays (y) at the anode (20). The X-ray tube (10) according to the invention comprises a multiplicity of acceleration modules (41, . . . , 45), complementing one another, and each acceleration module (41, . . . , 45) comprises at least one potential-carrying acceleration electrode (20/30/423/433/443). A first acceleration module (41) thereby comprises the cathode (30), a second acceleration module (45) the anode (20). The X-ray tube (10) further comprises at least one other acceleration module (42, . . . , 44). In particular, the X-ray tube according to the invention can possess a re-closeable vacuum valve, enabling individual defective parts of the tube (10) to be replaced in a simple manner or enabling the tube (10) to be modified in a modular way.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: Comet Holding AG
    Inventors: Mark Joachim Mildner, Kurt Holm
  • Publication number: 20080181364
    Abstract: A method is provided for decontaminating biological pathogens residing in an enclosure of an electronic device. The method includes: identifying materials used to encase the enclosure of the electronic device; tailoring x-ray radiation to penetrate the materials encasing the enclosure; and directing x-ray radiation having a diffused radiation angle towards the electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventors: John R. DeSalvo, Charles M. Newton, William T. Silfvast, Gregory M. Shimkaveg
  • Patent number: 7406154
    Abstract: A dose-modulated irradiating system includes an x-ray tube (20) with at least a filament (80) for generating electrons, a cathode (84) and an anode (92) for accelerating and collimating the generated electrons into an electron beam (94), and an electrostatic grid with grid electrodes (110, 112) for steering the electron beam (94) on the anode (92). The anode (92) generates an x-ray beam (96) responsive to the electron beam (94). Grid biasing is provided for applying a time-varying electrical bias to the grid electrodes (110, 112) that produces a first time-varying intensity modulation of the electron beam (94). A current of the filament (80) is modulated to produce a second time-varying intensity modulation of the electron beam (94). A controller (52) controls cooperatively combining the first and second time-varying intensity modulations to produce a combined time-varying intensity modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventor: Theodore A Resnick
  • Patent number: 7403595
    Abstract: Disclosed is an X-ray tube system with a disassembled carbon nanotube substrate for generating micro focusing level electron beams. A housing provides a vacuum space. An anode forms an electric field by a voltage applied from the outside and accelerates the electrons emitted from the cathode to reach the anode itself. A carbon nanotube substrate used as a cathode corresponding to the anode. A cathode plate supports and fixes the carbon nanotube substrate and applies a voltage to the carbon nanotube substrate. A sample probe is installed assemblably/disassemblably in the housing. A grid electrode is installed in front of the carbon nanotube substrate and extracting electrons from the carbon nanotube substrate in an easy manner. An electron focusing lens focuses the electrons passed through the grid electrode to form a micro level focus in the anode. A feed through applies a voltage to the cathode, the grid electrode and the electron focusing lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Korean Electro Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jong Uk Kim, Hae Young Choi
  • Patent number: 7391850
    Abstract: An x-ray source that can produce high-brilliance x-rays at a low cost and from a small footprint includes a radiofrequency (RF) photoinjector, an accelerator module (such as a linear superconducting accelerator moducle), a high-power optical laser apparatus, and a passive enhancement cavity. A stream of photons generated by the laser apparatus is accumulated in the enhancement cavity, and an electron stream from the photoinjector are then directed through the enhancement cavity to collide with the photons and generate high-brilliance x-rays via inverse-Compton scattering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Franz X. Kaertner, William S. Graves, David E. Moncton, Fatih Omer Ilday
  • Patent number: 7386095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an X-ray tube with a structure, by which the charging of an insulating member, disposed inside a container, is effectively prevented to enable stable operation to be secured. This X-ray tube has an electron source that emits electrons, a target that generates X-rays in response to the incidence of the electrons, first and second electrons, each having a side face portion that extends along the direction of incidence of the electrons and forming a predetermined electric field between the electron source and the target, and an insulating support member, for supporting the first and second electrodes, being disposed along the side face portions of the first and second electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2008
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Okada, Toru Fujita, Tooru Yamamoto, Tatsuya Matsumura, Tatsuya Nakamura
  • Patent number: 7382862
    Abstract: An x-ray source has an evacuated tube. An anode is disposed in the tube and includes a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons. A cathode is disposed in the tube opposing the anode configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode. A flange extends from the cathode toward the anode, and has a smaller diameter than the evacuated tube. The flange extends closer to the anode than an interface between the cathode and the tube thus forming a reduced-field region between the evacuated tube and the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Moxtek, Inc.
    Inventors: Erik C. Bard, Charles R. Jensen, Shaun P. Ogden, Steven D. Liddiard
  • Publication number: 20080116400
    Abstract: A device for generating extreme ultraviolet (EUV) or soft X-ray radiation comprising: a laser source for producing a laser radiation which is focused to intensities beyond 106 W/cm2 onto a target to produce a plasma; and said electrodes located around the path of the plasma produced by the laser source; and said electrodes being combined with components for producing a rapid electric discharge in the plasma with a characteristic time constant which is less than the time constant of the laser produced plasma expansion time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Publication date: May 22, 2008
    Inventors: Martin Schmidt, Rainer-Helmut Lebert, Uwe Stamm
  • Publication number: 20080095317
    Abstract: An apparatus for focusing and deflecting the electron beam of an x-ray device is disclosed herein. The apparatus includes a vacuum enclosure, and a cathode assembly disposed within the vacuum enclosure. The cathode assembly is adapted to transmit an electron beam comprising a plurality of electrons. The cathode assembly is generally maintained at a first voltage. The apparatus also includes an anode disposed within the vacuum enclosure. The anode is generally maintained at a second voltage. The apparatus also includes a member disposed within the vacuum enclosure between the cathode assembly and the anode. The member defines an aperture through which the electron beam is passed. The member is generally maintained at the second voltage. A corresponding method for focusing and deflecting the electron beam of an x-ray device is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Publication date: April 24, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sergio Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 7359485
    Abstract: An electron beam with a circular cross section is flattened to form a flat electron beam with a flattened cross section. Then, the flat electron beam is irradiated onto a target, thereby generating an X-ray. Since the flat electron beam has high energy density, the X-ray can be generated in high intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Satoshi Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 7340036
    Abstract: An X-ray generator includes an electron source generating an electron beam, a target generating an X-ray by a collision of the electron beam and extending in a direction orthogonal to the electron beam, and a cylindrical electrode covering a collision portion of the target to which the electron beam collides and having a bore allowing the electron beam to pass through. The electron source and the target are arranged in such a way that the X-ray is radiated in the direction orthogonal to an optical axis of the electron beam. A depression equivalent to a notch of the target is provided in a collision face side of the electron beam on the target and also in a reverse location of a tip of the target located on an outgoing radiation side of the X-ray relative to a collision location of the electron beam on the target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Sadamu Tomita, Tomomi Tamura, Hidenobu Ishida
  • Publication number: 20080043916
    Abstract: Methods are provided through which X-ray tube power de-rating can be reduced during dynamic focal spot deflection. In one embodiment, a method comprising generating an electron beam, focusing the electron beam to a first position on an anode, defocusing the electron beam on the anode and refocusing the electron beam at a second position on the anode. In another embodiment, a method comprising generating an electron beam, focusing the electron beam to a first position on an anode, inhibiting the electron beam and refocusing the electron beam at a second position on the anode. In another embodiment, a method comprising generating an electron beam, focusing the electron beam to a first position on an anode, steering the electron beam away from a nominal focal spot radius on the anode and refocusing the electron beam at a second position on the anode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Publication date: February 21, 2008
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Sergio Lemaitre
  • Patent number: 7330533
    Abstract: A compact, self-contained x-ray source, and a compact x-ray source panel having a plurality of such x-ray sources arranged in a preferably broad-area pixelized array. Each x-ray source includes an electron source for producing an electron beam, an x-ray conversion target, and a multilayer insulator separating the electron source and the x-ray conversion target from each other. The multi-layer insulator preferably has a cylindrical configuration with a plurality of alternating insulator and conductor layers surrounding an acceleration channel leading from the electron source to the x-ray conversion target. A power source is connected to each x-ray source of the array to produce an accelerating gradient between the electron source and x-ray conversion target in any one or more of the x-ray sources independent of other x-ray sources in the array, so as to accelerate an electron beam towards the x-ray conversion target.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC
    Inventor: Stephen E. Sampayon
  • Patent number: 7312461
    Abstract: A laparoscopic tumor therapy method and an articulated electron beam transport system are provided for use with a high power, long focus electron source for tumor therapy. The high power, long focus electron source generates an e-beam. The e-beam is transported through a laparoscopic tube proximate a target tumor for electron irradiation therapy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne LLC
    Inventors: John W. Lewellen, John Noonan
  • Patent number: 7310409
    Abstract: A compact and low-cost electromagnetic wave generator in which X-rays having high intensity can be generated and the energy of generated X-rays can rapidly be switched. In an electromagnetic wave generator including a circular accelerator, a deflection electromagnet incorporated in the circular accelerator focuses injected and accelerated electrons. The circular accelerator produces stable closed electron orbits in respective regions with respective widths in the radial direction of the accelerator. The closed electron orbits are stable during injection and acceleration of electrons. A target is arranged across only some of the stable closed electron orbits so that a collision region, where a circulating electron beam collides with the target, and a non-collision region, where a circulating electron beam does not collide with the target, are produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Hirofumi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 7305066
    Abstract: An X-ray generating apparatus for generating X-rays by irradiating a target with an electron beam. Wherein the apparatus includes a vibration applying means for vibrating the target in directions parallel to a surface thereof. A colliding spot of the electron beam is movable on the target while maintaining an X-ray focus in the same position on the electron beam without fluctuating the X-ray focal position. This enlarges an actual area of electron collision on the target to disperse the generated heat, thereby to suppress a local temperature rise of the target due to the electron collision. The X-ray generating apparatus is compact, and has a long life and a high X-ray intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2007
    Assignee: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventor: Masaaki Ukita
  • Patent number: 7298826
    Abstract: An X-ray generator of this invention has an X-ray monitor that monitors a state of an X-ray emitted from a target. Hence the state of the X-ray can be monitored in real time to maintain the X-ray in a constant state. The X-ray monitor is positioned off the path on which an X-ray transmitted from a first exit window travels. Hence, when the X-ray is emitted from the first exit window to an object to be inspected, the X-ray monitor does not obstruct the approaching of the object to the first exit window. This makes it possible to acquire X-ray images of high magnification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hamamatsu Photonics K.K.
    Inventor: Tutomu Inazuru