Dynamic control of radiation emission

US9241393B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Analogic Corporation · US

Inventors

• Steven N. Urchuk · Melrose, US
• Stephen J. Quigley · Albuquerque, US
• Hans J. Weedon · Salem, US
• Aissa Abdulmagid · Billerica, US
• Knut Beneke · Ober-Olm, DE
• Claus Meder · Roßdorf, DE
• Dirk Naumann · Lorsch, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 14, 2013
• Grant date: Jan 19, 2016
• Expiry date: Jan 3, 2034

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H05G1/62
• WIPO field: Medical technology
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Among other things, one or more techniques and/or systems for selectively inhibiting radiation from being generated by a radiation source are provided. A radiation source comprises an electrically conductive gate situated between a cathode and an anode. When a voltage potential is created between the gate and the cathode, a flow of electrons between the cathode and the anode is mitigated, thus inhibiting radiation from being generated by the radiation source. When the voltage potential is removed or lessened, electrons may more freely flow between the cathode and the anode to generate radiation. In some embodiments, a calibration, such as a dark calibration, may be performed while the gate mitigates the flow of electrons. Moreover, in some embodiments, an accelerating voltage applied to the radiation source may be held substantially constant when radiation is generated as well as when radiation generation is inhibited.