Patent · US Expired

Miniature x-ray source

US6353658B1 · kind B1 · utility

22Cited by
66References
28Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 8, 1999
Grant dateMar 5, 2002
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 8, 2019

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2235/0233
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

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.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.