Miniature x-ray emitter

• US 20040218724A1
• Filed: 04/30/2003
• Published: 11/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/30/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Medtronic Ave Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Original Assignee: Medtronic Ave Incorporated (Medtronic Plc)
• Inventors: Swanson, Vance E., Chornenky, Victor I., Park, Eunsung, Zheng, Zirao
• Application Number:
  US10/427,780
• Publication Number:
  US 20040218724A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 378/141
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1001 using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
• CPC Class Codes: A61N 5/1015 Treatment of resected cavities created by surgery, e.g. lumpectomy
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 2235/081 Target material
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/116 Transmissive anodes acting as a window H01J35/186
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/32 Tubes wherein the X-rays are produced at or near the end of the tube or a part thereof which tube or part has a small cross-section to facilitate introduction into a small hole or cavity

Abstract

An x-ray radiation emitter is provided which comprises an insulating shell, a cap coupled thereto for defining a vacuum chamber, a cathode positioned within the vacuum chamber, and an anode having a distal end disposed proximate the cathode within the vacuum chamber and made of material substantially transparent to x-rays. A layer of target metal disposed on the distal end of the anode is also provided for emitting x-rays when struck by electrons emitted from the cathode upon the application of an electric field between the cathode and the anode.

Claims

1. An x-ray radiation emitter, comprising:

an insulating shell;

a cap coupled to said insulating shell for defining vacuum chamber;

a cathode disposed within said vacuum chamber;

an anode having a distal end disposed proximate said cathode within said vacuum chamber, said anode made of material substantially transparent to x-rays; and

a layer of target metal on said distal end of said anode for emitting x-rays when struck by electrons emitted by said cathode upon the application of an electric field between said anode and said cathode.

2. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said material is beryllium.

3. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said target metal is a heavy metal.

4. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said heavy metal is tungsten.

5. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said heavy metal is gold.

6. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said heavy metal is yttrium.

7. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the thickness of said target metal is approximately 0.33 micrometers.

8. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 6 wherein the thickness of said heavy metal is approximately 1.42 micrometers.

9. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said insulating shell in quartz.

10. An x-ray apparatus for delivering x-ray radiation to interior surface tissue of a body cavity, comprising:

a flexible introducer guide having a distal end and a proximal end, said distal end for insertion into said body cavity;

a flexible x-ray catheter configured for movement within said introducer guide, said x-ray catheter having a distal end and a proximal end;

an x-ray emitter coupled to the distal end of said x-ray catheter for generating x-rays to irradiate said interior surface tissue, said x-ray emitter configured for coupling to a high voltage source, said x-ray emitter comprising;

an insulating shell having a vacuum chamber defined therein;

a cathode disposed within said vacuum chamber;

an anode having a distal end disposed proximate said cathode within said vacuum chamber, said anode made of material substantially transparent to x-rays; and

a layer of target metal on said distal end of said anode for emitting x-rays when struck by electrons emitted from said cathode upon the application of an electric field between said anode and said cathode.

11. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising a controller coupled to said x-ray catheter for controlling the area of irradiation and the delivered dosage.

12. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 10 further comprising:

an inflatable balloon mounted proximate the distal end of said flexible introducer guides; and

first means for selectively inflating said balloon.

13. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said x-ray emitter is coupled to the high voltage source by a flexible cable having first and second conductors, said first conductor being coupled to said high voltage source and insulated from said second conductor.

14. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said flexible cable is a coaxial cable having a center conductor and an outer conductor which is insulated from said center conductor.

15. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 13 further comprising first means coupled to said controller and to said x-ray catheter for moving said x-ray catheter within said introducer guide.

16. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said controller selectively moves said x-ray catheter in translational and rotational directions within said introducer guide.

17. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 16 further comprising:

a channel in said x-ray catheter; and

cooling means for pumping a coolant through said channel to cool said emitter.

18. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said insulating shell is quartz.

19. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said flexible introducer guide is a flexible plastic.

20. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 18 wherein said flexible introducer guide is a flexible metal.

21. An x-ray apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said balloon is a polymeric material.