Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A cathode for a miniature X-ray device includes an insulating shell, a cathode and an anode. The cathode includes a focusing cup formed into an end. The focusing cup can include a thin metal layer that conforms to an inner surface of the cathode. An emitting material having a low work function, such as diamond, is deposited directly onto the internal surface of the focusing cup. The anode has a flat receiving surface for collecting electrons emitted from the anode. An interior coating is applied as a circumferential belt on the interior surface of the insulating shell. The interior coating, formed of a negative secondary emission yield material, extends lengthwise in the region of the cathode to an anode gap, covering the region of the insulating shell most likely to be subject to stray electrons emitted from the cathode.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A cathode for a miniature X-ray device includes an insulating shell, a cathode and an anode. The cathode includes a focusing cup formed into an end. The focusing cup can include a thin metal layer that conforms to an inner surface of the cathode. An emitting material having a low work function, such as diamond, is deposited directly onto the internal surface of the focusing cup. The anode has a flat receiving surface for collecting electrons emitted from the anode. An interior coating is applied as a circumferential belt on the interior surface of the insulating shell. The interior coating, formed of a negative secondary emission yield material, extends lengthwise in the region of the cathode to an anode gap, covering the region of the insulating shell most likely to be subject to stray electrons emitted from the cathode.

Abstract: A method described includes positioning an x-ray emitter at a treatment area, where the x-ray emitter is connected to a cable, setting a voltage source at a source voltage, and measuring a current through the x-ray emitter. The method may include comparing a current flowing through the emitter with a limit and a low limit. The method further includes increasing the source voltage if the current is higher than the high limit. The method includes determining the high limit and the low limit based on the source voltage and the desired radiation. An apparatus of the invention includes an x-ray emitter with a voltage source and a current sensor. The apparatus may include a current comparison device for comparing the measured current with a high limit and a low limit, and further include a voltage source control. A current integrator for integrating a current from the x-ray emitter may also be included.

Abstract: An emitter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell, an anode, and a cathode. The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface, brazed to a conical brazing surface on the anode. The braze consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An insulating housing shell for a miniature x-ray emitter is provided. The housing shell is cut from a quartz monocrystal which is a suitable material for the insulating housing shell due to its resistivity and dielectric strength properties. The x-ray emitter can be inserted into a subject's body to deliver x-ray radiation. The emitter includes a cable, having a proximal and a distal portion. The insulating housing shell is coupled to the distal portion of the cable, and an anode and a cathode are disposed within the insulating housing shell. The cathode has a granular surface and is operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation. The cathode is composed of a material that also allows it to act as a getter.

Abstract: An insulating housing shell for a miniature x-ray emitter is provided. The housing shell is cut from a quartz monocrystal which is a suitable material for the insulating housing shell due to its resistivity and dielectric strength properties. The x-ray emitter can be inserted into a subject's body to deliver x-ray radiation. The emitter includes a cable, having a proximal and a distal portion. The insulating housing shell is coupled to the distal portion of the cable, and an anode and a cathode are disposed within the insulating housing shell. The cathode has a granular surface and is operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation. The cathode is composed of a material that also allows it to act as a getter.

Abstract: A method described includes positioning an x-ray emitter at a treatment area, where the x-ray emitter is connected to a cable, setting a voltage source at a source voltage, and measuring a current through the x-ray emitter. The method may include comparing a current flowing through the emitter with a high limit and a low limit. The method further includes increasing the source voltage if the current is lower than the low limit. The method further includes decreasing the source voltage if the current is higher than the high limit. The method includes determining the high limit and the low limit based on the source voltage and the desired radiation.