Mobile miniature X-ray source
First Claim
1. A mobile, miniature x-ray source device, comprising:
- a) an evacuated tube having a length less than approximately 3 inches, and a diameter or width less than approximately 1 inch;
b) an anode, disposed in the tube, including a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons; and
c) a cathode, disposed in the tube opposing the anode, including a low-power consumption cathode element configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode, the cathode element having a low power consumption less than approximately 1 watt; and
d) a battery power source, electrically coupled to the anode, the cathode, and the cathode element, to provide power for the cathode element, and to provide the electric field between the anode and the cathode.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mobile, miniature x-ray source includes a low-power consumption cathode element for mobility, and an anode optic creating a field free region to prolong the life of the cathode element. An electric field is applied to an anode and a cathode that are disposed on opposite sides of an evacuated tube. The anode includes a target material to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons. 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 tube can have a length less than approximately 3 inches, and a diameter or width less than approximately 1 inch. The cathode element can include a low-power consumption cathode element with a low power consumption less than approximately 1 watt. The power source can include a battery power source. A field-free region can be positioned at the anode to resist positive ion acceleration back towards the cathode element. An anode tube can be disposed at the anode between the anode and the cathode, and electrically coupled to the anode so that the anode and the anode tube have the same electrical potential, to form the field-free region.
101 Citations
28 Claims
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1. A mobile, miniature x-ray source device, comprising:
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a) an evacuated tube having a length less than approximately 3 inches, and a diameter or width less than approximately 1 inch;
b) an anode, disposed in the tube, including a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons; and
c) a cathode, disposed in the tube opposing the anode, including a low-power consumption cathode element configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode, the cathode element having a low power consumption less than approximately 1 watt; and
d) a battery power source, electrically coupled to the anode, the cathode, and the cathode element, to provide power for the cathode element, and to provide the electric field between the anode and the cathode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An x-ray source device, comprising:
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a) an evacuated tube;
b) an anode, disposed in the tube, including a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons; and
c) a cathode, disposed in the tube opposing the anode, including a cathode element configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode; and
d) a field-free region, positioned at the anode, configured to resist positive ion acceleration back towards the cathode element. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An x-ray source device, comprising:
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a) an evacuated tube having first and second ends;
b) an anode, disposed at the first end of the tube;
c) a window, disposed at the first end of the tube, including a material configured to produce x-rays in response to impact of electrons;
d) a cathode, disposed at the second end of the tube opposing the anode;
e) an electron emitter, disposed at the second end of the tube, configured to produce electrons accelerated towards the anode in response to an electric field between the anode and the cathode;
f) a cathode optic, disposed proximate the electron emitter, including a plate with an aperture therein configured to allow electrons to pass through the aperture towards the anode; and
g) an anode optic, disposed proximate the anode, including an anode tube with a hollow aligned to allow electrons to pass through the hollow towards the anode, the anode tube creating a field-free region within the hollow configured to resist positive ion acceleration back towards the cathode element. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification