Abstract: An apparatus and method for minimally invasive treatment of deep subcutaneous fat deposits in lieu of cosmetic surgery is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a high voltage pulse generator connected to two or more needle electrodes at least one of which is configured for placement deeply under the skin in a treatment site of the patient's body. High voltage pulses, delivered to the electrodes, create an electric field that kills subcutaneous fat cells.

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: Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body of a subject being treated to deliver localized x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a cathode structure that has a thin, diamond film as a cathode. The device further comprises a vacuum housing and an anode. A method for fabricating a device for localized x-ray radiation is described which includes the formation of a thin diamond film on a getter at temperatures below an activation temperature of the getter.

Abstract: A miniature thermoelectric cooling device for storing small amounts of thermally unstable substances, like drug vials with insulin for diabetic patients or protein based drugs for thrombolytic therapy, is disclosed. A solar energy collector coupled with a rechargeable battery is provided as the energy source. The miniature cooler is small enough to be belt-carried at all time by a person, whose life or health depends on the drugs. When switched to a heating mode, the thermoelectric device can temporarily elevate the temperature of the drug to a body temperature thus providing comfortable conditions for the injection. A combined solar-and-battery power supply allows keeping an article in the cooler at low temperatures around o'clock at all times during substantially long travels in hot or tropical conditions where even short term exposure to surrounding temperatures can destroy the potency of the drug.

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: The present invention relates to a device for simultaneously treating a tumor or cancerous growth with both hyperthermia and X-ray radiation using brachytherapy. The device includes a needle-like introducer serving as a microwave antenna. Microwaves are emitted from the introducer to increase the temperature of cancerous body tissue. The introducer is an inner conductor of a coaxial cable. The introducer contains a hollow core which houses an X-ray emitter. The X-ray emitter is connected to a high voltage miniature cable which extends from the X-ray emitter to a high voltage power source. The X-ray emitter emits ionizing radiation to irradiate cancerous tissue. A cooling system is included to control the temperature of the introducer. Temperature sensors placed around the periphery of the tumor monitor the temperature of the treated tissue.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body of a subject being treated to deliver localized x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a cathode structure that has a thin, diamond film as a cathode. The device further comprises a vacuum housing and an anode. A method for fabricating a device for localized x-ray radiation is described which includes the formation of a thin diamond film on a getter at temperatures below an activation temperature of the getter.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for stabilization of aneurysm is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an ultraviolet radiation generator for generating UV radiation having a wavelength, strongly absorbed by the DNA and a catheter including means for delivering the ultraviolet radiation to the aneurysm. The distal end of the catheter is placed inside the aneurysm. Stabilization of the aneurysm is achieved by forming a mural arterial thrombus inside the aneurysm. To make irradiation possible, the blood is displaced from the aneurysm by a steady stream of UV radiation transparent fluid. The injury to the endothelium that triggers the thrombus formation is caused by UV radiation delivered to the aneurysm. In several days after intervention the thrombus becomes fully organized, leaving on the inside surface of the aneurysm a thick layer of fibrotic tissue that stabilizes the aneurysm.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for emergency administration or self-administration of thrombolytic therapy in early stage of a heart attack. The apparatus includes a needle injector for making a venipuncture, a battery operated micro cooler for maintaining low temperature environment for vials with lyophilized thrombolytic and adjuvant drugs, a container with a diluent for reconstitution of the lyophilized drugs, a programmable infusion pump, and a microprocessor for controlling the process of infusion and recording the data. As the system is activated, said container becomes fluidly communicable with the infusion pump and vials with drugs in the cooler. Designed for autonomous execution of several schedules of infusion, it also can be controlled remotely by a qualified operator via an Internet interface.

Abstract: A miniature x-ray source capable of producing broad spectrum x-ray emission over a wide range of x-ray energies. The miniature x-ray source comprises a compact vacuum tube assembly containing a cathode, an anode, a high voltage feedthru for delivering high voltage to the anode, a getter for maintaining high vacuum, a connection for an initial vacuum pump down and crimp-off, and a high voltage connection for attaching a compact high voltage cable to the high voltage feedthru. At least a portion of the vacuum tube wall is highly x-ray transparent and made, for example, from boron nitride. The compact size and potential for remote operation allows the x-ray source, for example, to be placed adjacent to a material sample undergoing analysis or in proximity to the region to be treated for medical applications.

Abstract: A thrombolytic filtration and drug delivery catheter is disclosed comprising a shaft which longitudinal ribs. The ribs are compressed while being advanced to the site of interest and are released at the site, flaring to a diameter greater than the diameter of the shaft. The ribs can be compressed by a sleeve or thread, for example. Drugs or other agents can be delivered through lumens in the shaft and ribs, out through ports in the ribs. Preferably, the ports are positioned to deliver the drugs or other agents between the ribs and within the region defined by the ribs.

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.

Abstract: A catheter for emitting radiation is disclosed, comprising a catheter shaft and an x-ray unit attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft. The x-ray unit comprises an anode and a cathode coupled to an insulator to define a vacuum chamber. The cathode is preferably a field emission cathode of graphite or graphite coated with titanium carbide, for example. The anode is preferably tungsten and the insulator is preferably pyrolytic boron nitride. The x-ray unit is preferably coupled to a voltage source through a coaxial cable. The anode is preferably a heavy metal such as tungsten. The cathode may also be a ferroelectric material. The x-ray unit can have a diameter less than about 4 mm and a length less than about 15 mm. Methods of use of the catheter are also disclosed. The catheter of the present invention can be used to irradiate the site of an angioplasty procedure to prevent restenosis. It can also be used to treat other conditions in any vessel, lumen or cavity of the body.

Abstract: A device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation, comprising a connector, a diamond vacuum housing coupled to a distal portion of the connector, an anode and cathode, disposed within the vacuum housing and arranged to enable the production of x-ray radiation. Also, a device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation including a vacuum housing coupled to a distal portion of a connector where the vacuum housing has a diameter of less than 2.5 mm. A method of fabricating a miniature x-ray emitter by constructing a structure of diamond that defines a vacuum chamber and encases a cathode and an anode.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body of a subject being treated to deliver localized x-ray radiation, and a method for use of such a device. The device includes an anode and a cathode, disposed within a vacuum housing. The device further includes a balloon coupled to and circumferentially surrounding the vacuum housing, and a fluid loop for circulating a cooling fluid proximate to the vacuum housing. A method for delivering localized x-ray radiation to an interior passage of a body is also described, including the steps of positioning an x-ray device at the passage to be treated and applying a high voltage to the x-ray producing unit to produce localized x-ray radiation.