Patent · US Active

Soft x-ray generator

US7502446B2 · kind B2 · utility

1Cited by
30References
41Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateOct 17, 2006
Grant dateMar 10, 2009
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 11, 2026

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05G2/001
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A soft x-ray generator includes a unique pulse trigger assembly which reliably and reproducibly provides a plasma to initiate the discharge between a cathode and an anode, and having a cone-shaped geometry. The soft x-ray generator of the present invention also includes a rotating anode which is generally disk-shaped with an outer circumferential edge which can be rotated with respect to the cathode to expose different sections of the anode to the plasma discharge, thereby reducing anode wear and providing longer term operation. Anode erosion is also reduced by the liquid cooling of the anode during use. The generator utilizes a relatively low capacitance for the cathode-to-anode discharge and a relatively high voltage and pulse repetition rate (frequency) to achieve continuous reproducible results.

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