Abstract: Age-related macular degeneration is treated by radiation delivered from a miniature x-ray tube inserted via a catheter around the globe of the eye, to a position behind the macula. Methods are described for properly locating the catheter and x-ray tube, using illumination on the catheter and viewing through the front of the eye, or sensors on the catheter and a scanned beam shone from the front of the eye. Fluorescent material excited by x-rays can also be used. Also described are methods and devices for immobilizing the probe once properly located in the eye, for standoff of the x-ray tube from the target issue, and for achieving prescription radiation dose in the choroid while eliminating dose to adjacent tissues. The x-ray treatment can be enhanced using a radiosensitizing drug, and can be combined with PDT.

Abstract: Breast cancer patients are treated intraoperatively with radiation shortly after excision of a tumor. Pathology of the tissue is determined with a nearly instantaneous method, further excision is performed if needed, and the patient, still anesthetized and preferably unmoved, is then treated with radiation therapy. In a preferred embodiment an applicator is inserted into the excision cavity, the cavity is three-dimensionally mapped using radiation sources and a sensor, a radiation treatment plan is developed using a radiation prescription and the determined shape and location of the cavity, and the treatment plan is executed, all while the patient remains under anesthesia.

Abstract: A miniature x-ray tube capable of intra vascular use, as for irradiating the interior wall of a blood vessel to prevent restenosis, as well as uses in other natural or surgically-created body cavities, has a micro cathode preferably formed by MEMS techniques. The very fine wire of the cathode filament is formed on a semiconductor base and draws a current sufficiently low that lead wires in a cathode heater circuit, passing through a probe line connected to the x-ray tube, can be very small wires, which helps maintain sufficient dielectric spacing in the high voltage circuit handled by the same probe line. In a preferred embodiment the probe line comprises a glass fiber, providing needed dielectric strength and allowing for a direct seal to the x-ray tube. The glass fiber is held at a small diameter to allow flexibility for navigating small-radius turns within the vessels.

Abstract: A miniature x-ray tube has an anode assembly capable of transmitting x-rays through the anode and over a wide angular range. The anode is in the shape of a cone or truncated cone with an axis on the x-ray tube frame axis, formed of low-Z material with high thermal conductivity for heat dissipation. A target material on the anode body is in a thin layer, which may be approximately 0.5 to 5 microns thick. In one embodiment a tube evacuation exhaust port at the tail end of the anode assembly forms a cavity for a getter, with a pinched-off tubulation at the end of the cavity.

Abstract: A stand-alone device includes an integrated circuit (IC) die (optionally free of conventional IC packaging and bond pads) that responds to a signal by (1) storing energy retrieved from the signal, and (2) using the stored energy to generate another signal that is encoded with information provided by a data source (such as a memory or a sensor depending on the implementation) that is included in the device. The IC die includes a power supply, a signal transmitter, and optionally includes an antenna. During operation of one embodiment, the power supply receives from the antenna electrical energy extracted from a portion of a radio frequency signal incident on the IC die. The power supply stores the energy in an energy store over a period of time, and thereafter supplies at least a portion of the stored energy to the signal transmitter.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for applying a radially uniform radiation dose to an intravascular treatment region to inhibit hyperplanes, and specifically to reduce “candy-wrapper” ends, following intravascular intervention. An embodiment of the apparatus comprises a catheter body having a proximal end and a distal end, a pair of axially spaced apart radiation shields on the catheter body, and a radiation source. The radiation source applies a radiation dose which is substantially uniform in a radial direction over an entire distance between the axially spaced apart shields.

Abstract: A vascular X-ray probe is formed of an optical fiber cable with a high voltage conductor embedded in the optical fiber and an external ground coating, feeding power to a small X-ray tube at the end of the cable. The optical fiber provides a conduit for optical radiation, preferably a laser beam, fed to a thermionic cathode mounted at the end of the light path, so that the laser beam heats the cathode causing it to emit electrons. An anode/X-ray target is opposite the cathode within the evacuated X-ray tube, and the ground lead is fed to the anode via an external ground coating over the tube. The X-ray tube is in preferred embodiments is less than 3 mm in diameter, and more preferably about 1.5 mm. In one embodiment the tube is formed directly in the end of the optical fiber cable, with the anode mounted on an exit window.

Abstract: A flat panel display includes a cathode (302/303/304, 501, or 601a/601b), a conductive gate layer (306, 502, or 602a/602b) overlying the cathode, and a thicker patterned conductive further layer (307, 503, or 603) contacting the gate layer above the cathode. The cathode contains emitters exposed through a multiplicity of laterally separated sets of openings in the gate layer. Each set of gate openings is exposed through a corresponding one of a plurality of holes in the further layer. An anode overlies the gate and further layers.

Abstract: According to the invention, a flat panel device includes a spacer for providing internal support. In one embodiment, the spacer is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrified glass, metal with electrically insulative coating or high-temperature vacuum-compatible polyimide, and can be a spacer wall, a spacer structure including a plurality of holes, or some combination of a spacer wall, spacer walls, and spacer structure. Spacer surfaces are treated to reduce secondary emissions and prevent charging of the spacer surfaces. The flat panel device can include a thermionic cathode or a field emitter cathode, and the faceplate and backplate can both be straight or both be curved. The flat panel device can include an addressing grid. In a method according to the invention for assembling a flat panel device, spacer walls are held in proper alignment during assembly by being inserted into a notch formed in the addressing grid and/or a top or bottom wall of the enclosure.

Abstract: A light-emitting structure (306) contains a main section (302), a pattern of ridges (314) situated along the main section, and a plurality of light-emissive regions (313) situated in spaces between the ridges. The light-emissive regions produce light of various colors upon being hit by electrons. The ridges, which extend further away from the main section than the light-emissive regions, are substantially non-emissive of light when hit by electrons. Each ridge includes a dark region. The ridges thereby form a raised black matrix that improves contrast and color purity. When the light-emitting structure is used in an optical display, the raised black matrix contacts internal supports (308) and, in so doing, protects the light-emissive regions from being damaged. The light-emitting structure can be formed according to various techniques of the invention.

Abstract: According to the invention, a flat panel device includes a faceplate, a backplate made of a co-fired ceramic substrate and attached to the faceplate to form a sealed enclosure, and structure for producing light. The faceplate includes an active region. The light producing structure is divided into a matrix of "display elements," or a plurality of "light producing elements." Driver circuitry is formed on or attached to a surface of the backplate. The driver circuitry is connected to the display elements or light producing elements by electrically conductive vias formed entirely or partially through or within the ceramic substrate, and electrically conductive traces formed within or on one or more surfaces of the ceramic substrate. Each of the display elements or light producing elements is controlled by the driver circuitry to cause light emission at a corresponding pixel or pixels of the faceplate active region.

Abstract: Holes are formed in a structure (116) by a technique in which a die (118) having openings (119) at desired locations for the holes is first placed over one side of the structure. Fluid pressure is applied to the other side of the structure to cause material to be sheared away from the structure at the desired hole locations, thereby forming the holes. A die (117) having openings (119) at the desired hole locations can also be placed over the side subjected to the fluid pressure to facilitate the hole-formation process. With two such die in place, fluid containing an abrasive material can be passed through unfinished holes to remove rough edges and finish the holes.

Abstract: A flat panel display manufacturing process entails forming a laminated structure (90x) by combining a plurality of layers (90 and 90a-90e), including a ceramic layer (90). The laminated structure is fired to convert the layers into an integrated backplate structure, at least part of which constitutes a backplate (93b, 16, or 201). A flat panel device that contains the backplate, a faceplate (91a, 12, or 202) connected to the baseplate to form a sealed enclosure (203), a mechanism (22 and 93) for producing light, and a mechanism (20 or 204) for controlling the light-producing mechanism is then fabricated. The ceramic may be of the zero shrinkage tolerance type. Glazing material can be formed over the backplate. Cooling channels (1101a) can be incorporated in the backplate. A field emission cathode (243) can be formed in openings (241a) in the backplate.

Abstract: A flat panel device is provided with an internal support structure in the form of a spacer. In one fabrication technique, the spacer is formed as a laminate of multiple layers of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic-reinforced glass, devitrified glass, or/and metal coated with electrically insulating material. The spacer is placed between a backplate structure and a faceplate structure which are connected together to form an enclosure that encases the spacer. In another fabrication technique, the spacer constitutes a spacer wall placed between the backplate and faceplate structures. When the backplate structure is connected to the faceplate structure to form an enclosure that encases the spacer wall, the spacer wall follows a corrugated path adjacent to at least one of the faceplate and backplate structures.

Abstract: According to the invention, a flat panel device includes a spacer for providing internal support. In one embodiment, the spacer is made of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrified glass, metal with electrically insulative coating or high-temperature vacuum-compatible polyimide, and can be a spacer wall, a spacer structure including a plurality of holes, or some combination of a spacer wall, spacer walls, and spacer structure. Spacer surfaces are treated to reduce secondary emissions and prevent charging of the spacer surfaces. The flat panel device can include a thermionic cathode or a field emitter cathode, and the faceplate and backplate can both be straight or both be curved. The flat panel device can include an addressing grid.

Abstract: A face plate for a cathode ray tube display is produced by a method in which small holes are formed through a sheet of unfired ceramic tape. The holes are arranged in a desired pattern for the location of pixel dots. The holes are filled with generally transparent glass to form plugs in the desired pattern. The ceramic tape is cured to a hardened state by firing to an appropriate temperature. Each plug is coated at an inner, anode side of the face plate with phosphor of appropriate color.

Abstract: A flat panel device contains a faceplate, a backplate, a light-emitting mechanism, and a spacer. The faceplate is connected to the backplate to form a sealed enclosure. The spacer is situated within the enclosure and supports the two plates against forces acting towards the enclosure. The spacer can take various forms and can be constituted with various materials. In one embodiment, the spacer includes a spacer wall formed with multiple sheets of laminated material consisting of ceramic, glass-ceramic, ceramic reinforced glass, devitrifying glass, or metal coated with electrical insulation. In another embodiment, the spacer includes a spacer wall having a surface that follows a non-straight path adjacent the faceplate. In yet another embodiment, the spacer is a spacer structure through which a plurality of holes extends. The light-emitting mechanism is typically implemented with an electron-emitting cathode and light-emissive material situated over the faceplate.

Abstract: An optical device contains first and second plates (302 and 303), a pattern of ridges (314) situated over the first plate, light-emissive regions (313) situated in spaces between the ridges, electron-emissive elements (309) situated over the second plate, and supporting structure (308) that maintains a desired spacing between the plates. The electron-emissive elements emit electrons that strike the light-emissive regions, causing them to produce light of various colors. The ridges, which extend further away from the first plate than the light-emissive regions, are substantially non-emissive of light when hit by electrons. Each ridge includes a dark region formed with metal, ceramic, semiconductor, or/and carbide. The ridges thereby form a raised black matrix that improves contrast and color purity.

Abstract: A grid which controls electron flow, placed between a field emitter cathode and fluorescent anode in a flat cathode ray tube improves focusing, and reduces the switching voltage necessary to stop electron flow. The focusing capabilities of the grid enable increased distance between the cathode and anode, permitting higher anode voltage and use of more efficient phosphors. With the grid, electron flow on/off addressing can be done with drivers operating at less than 30 V, thereby reducing capacitive power loss over prior art addressable arrays and permitting use of inexpensive CMOS control circuitry. The grid's switching capabilities enable the use of a simplified field emitter cathode structure with resistive gate films which increase emitter reliability, emitter life, and, for cathode ray tube displays, the uniformity of the display.

Abstract: A light-emitting structure (306) contains a main section (302), a pattern of ridges (314) situated along the main section, and a plurality of light-emissive regions (313) situated in spaces between the ridges. The light-emissive regions produce light of various colors upon being hit by electrons. The ridges, which extend further away from the main section than the light-emissive regions, are substantially non-emissive of light when hit by electrons. Each ridge includes a dark region. The ridges thereby form a raised black matrix that improves contrast and color purity. The dark region of each ridge may be formed with metal, ceramic, semiconductor, or carbide. Each ridge may include an additional region (314b) of different chemical composition than the dark region.