Miniature x-ray tube with micro cathode
US6987835B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 26, 2003 |
| Grant date | Jan 17, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J2235/164
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A miniature x-ray tube capable of intra vascular use, has a micro cathode preferably formed by MEMS techniques. The very fine wire of the cathode filament is formed on a semiconductor base and draws a current sufficiently low that lead wires in a cathode heater circuit, passing through a probe line connected to the x-ray tube, can be very small wires, which helps maintain sufficient dielectric spacing in the high voltage circuit handled by the same probe line. In a preferred embodiment the probe line comprises a glass fiber, held at a small diameter to allow flexibility for navigating small-radius turns within the vessels. In a preferred embodiment the fiber is overcoated with a high-dielectric polymer to significantly increase the dielectric strength of the overall cable, without adding significantly to stiffness. The high voltage ground conductor is a coaxial sheath on the outside of the polymer. Exterior to the ground conductor is a further flexible layer having paths for coolant.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.