Abstract: Multi-axial prosthesis assemblies that include a resilient closed undulating member are used to provide vertical and rotational movement for lower limb prostheses. A shaft is located through a resilient bumper, with a first prosthetic member is fixedly attached to the shaft and engages a first surface of the undulating member, and a second prosthetic member comprises a lumen to movably receive the shaft. The prosthetic members are engaged to the resilient bumper with projections that are located in the recesses of the resilient bumper and the prosthetic members and the bumper are configured so that the projections from each member are offset from the projections of the other member, which results in an undulating appearance to the outer surface of the resilient bumper.

Abstract: The invention is an x-ray window with a stack of thin film layers including aluminum layer(s), corrosion-barrier layer(s), and/or polymer layer(s). Aluminum layer(s) can provide improved gas impermeability. Polymer layer(s) can increase structural strength. The x-ray window can be substantially transmissive to x-rays but also substantially block visible light and infrared light. The x-ray window can have minimal deflection.

Abstract: An x-ray window comprising a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphene. The carbon nanotubes and/or graphene can be embedded in the polymer. Multiple layers of polymer, carbon nanotubes, and/or graphene may be used. The polymer with carbon nanotubes and/or graphene can be used as an x-ray window support structure and/or thin film.

Abstract: A method of making a high strength carbon fiber composite (CFC) wafer with low surface roughness comprising at least one sheet of CFC including carbon fibers embedded in a matrix. A stack of at least one sheet of CFC is provided with the stack having a first surface and a second surface. The stack is pressed between first and second pressure plates with a porous breather layer disposed between the first surface of the stack and the first pressure plate. The stack is cured by heating the stack to a temperature of at least 50° C.

Abstract: A transmission x-ray tube comprising an end window hermetically sealed to a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling can allow the window to shift or tilt in one direction or another direction to allow an electron beam to impinge upon one region of the window or another region of the window. A method of utilizing different regions of an x-ray tube target by tilting an x-ray tube window at an acute angle with respect to an electron beam axis to cause an electron beam to impinge on a selected region of the window and tilting the window in a different direction to allow the electron beam to impinge on a different selected region of the window.

Abstract: A high strength carbon fiber composite (CFC) wafer, and method of making such wafer, with low surface roughness comprising at least one sheet of CFC including carbon fibers embedded in a matrix. The wafer can have a thickness of between 10-500 micrometers. The wafer can have a root mean square surface roughness Rq, on at least one side, of less than 300 nm in an area of 100 micrometers by 100 micrometers and less than 500 nm along a line of 2 millimeter length. The wafer may be cut to form x-ray window support structures, MEMS, or other micrometer sized structures.

Abstract: The invention is an x-ray window with a stack of thin film layers including aluminum layer(s), corrosion-barrier layer(s), and/or polymer layer(s). Aluminum layer(s) can provide improved gas impermeability. Polymer layer(s) can increase structural strength. The x-ray window can be substantially transmissive to x-rays but also substantially block visible light and infrared light. The x-ray window can have minimal deflection.

Abstract: A support structure for x-ray windows including carbon composite ribs, comprising carbon fibers in a matrix. The support structure can comprise a support frame defining a perimeter and an aperture, a plurality of ribs comprising a carbon composite material extending across the aperture of the support frame and carried by the support frame, and openings between the plurality of ribs. A film can be disposed over, carried by, and span the plurality of ribs and disposed over and span the openings.

Abstract: An x-ray window including a support frame with a perimeter and an aperture. A plurality of ribs can extend across the aperture of the support frame and can be supported or carried by the support frame. Openings exist between ribs to allow transmission of x-rays through such openings with no attenuation of x-rays by the ribs. A film can be disposed over and span the ribs and openings. The ribs can have at least two different cross-sectional sizes including at least one larger sized rib with a cross-sectional area that is at least 5% larger than a cross-sectional area of at least one smaller sized rib.

Abstract: A transmission x-ray tube comprising an end window hermetically sealed to a flexible coupling. The flexible coupling can allow the window to shift or tilt in one direction or another direction to allow an electron beam to impinge upon one region of the window or another region of the window. A method of utilizing different regions of an x-ray tube target by tilting an x-ray tube window at an acute angle with respect to an electron beam axis to cause an electron beam to impinge on a selected region of the window and tilting the window in a different direction to allow the electron beam to impinge on a different selected region of the window.

Abstract: A high strength carbon fiber composite (CFC) wafer, and method of making such wafer, with low surface roughness comprising at least one sheet of CFC including carbon fibers embedded in a matrix. The wafer can have a thickness of between 10-500 micrometers. The wafer can have a root mean square surface roughness Rq, on at least one side, of less than 300 nm in an area of 100 micrometers by 100 micrometers and less than 500 nm along a line of 2 millimeter length. The wafer may be cut to form x-ray window support structures, MEMS, or other micrometer sized structures.

Abstract: A support structure for x-ray windows including carbon composite ribs, comprising carbon fibers in a matrix. The support structure can comprise a support frame defining a perimeter and an aperture, a plurality of ribs comprising a carbon composite material extending across the aperture of the support frame and carried by the support frame, and openings between the plurality of ribs. A film can be disposed over, carried by, and span the plurality of ribs and disposed over and span the openings.

Abstract: An x-ray window comprising a polymer and carbon nanotubes and/or graphene. The carbon nanotubes and/or graphene can be embedded in the polymer. Multiple layers of polymer, carbon nanotubes, and/or graphene may be used. The polymer with carbon nanotubes and/or graphene can be used as an x-ray window support structure and/or thin film.

Abstract: A high strength window for a radiation detection system has a plurality of ribs comprising beryllium material. There are openings between the plurality of ribs. The tops of the ribs terminate generally in a common plane. The high strength window also has a support frame around a perimeter of the ribs. A layer of thin polymer film material is disposed over and spans the plurality of ribs and openings to pass radiation therethrough. A radiation detection system comprises a high strength window as described above and a sensor behind the window. The sensor is configured to detect radiation that passes through the window.

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.

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.

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.

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.