Abstract:
Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body and delivery of x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a connector, the vacuum housing, an anode and a cathode having a granular surface and being composed of a material that allows it to act as a getter. The cathode may also contain diamond material in one embodiment.
Abstract:
An emmiter for a miniature X-ray apparatus comprises an insulating shell (110), an anode (120), and a cathode (130). The insulating shell includes a conical brazing surface (112), brazed to a conical brazing surface (122) on the anode. The braze (142) consists of a pure titanium layer and a pure tin layer. During brazing, the pure metals react and bond to the insulating shell and create a titanium-tin alloy between the pure layers. Pure tin is sputtered from tin sputter target onto the exposed brazing surfaces of the cathode cap and the anode. The insulating shell is placed in a vacuum chamber of deposition applicator, which deposits an active metal onto the shell brazing surface. In a brazing oven, the anode is placed within insulating shell such that the anode conical brazing surface and the shell conical brazing surface are contacting and aligned with each other. During brazing, the cathode is brought into contact with the insulating shell. The sealed emitters are placed in a sputtering machine's vacuum chamber. A metal is sputtered from a sputtering target to form a metal layer (114) on the exterior of insulating shell.
Abstract:
A cathode for a miniature X-ray device includes an insulating shell, a cathode and an anode. The cathode includes a focusing cup formed into and end. The focusing cup can include a thin metal layer that conforms to an inner surface of the cathode. An emitting material having a low work function, such as diamond, is deposited directly onto the internal surface of the focusing cup. The anode has a flat receiving surface for collecting electrons emitted from the anode. An interior coating is applied as a circumferential belt on the interior surface of the insulating shell. The interior coating, formed of a negative secondary emission yield material, extends lengthwise in the region of the cathode to an anode gap, covering the region of the insulating shell most likely to be subject to stray electrons emitted from the cathode.
Abstract:
A device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation, comprising a connector, a diamond vacuum housing coupled to a distal portion of the connector, an anode and cathode, disposed within the vacuum housing and arranged to enable the production of x-ray radiation. Also, a device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation including a vacuum housing coupled to a distal portion of a connector where the vacuum housing has a diameter of less than 2.5 mm. A method of fabricating a miniature x-ray emitter by constructing a structure of diamond that defines a vacuum chamber and encases a cathode and an anode.
Abstract:
A catheter for emitting radiation is disclosed, comprising a catheter shaft (104), and an x-ray unit (102) attached to the distal end of the catheter shaft. The x-ray unit comprises an anode (112), and a cathode (110) coupled to an insulator (108) to define a vacuum chamber (106). The cathode is preferably a field emission cathode of graphite or graphite coated with titanium carbide, for example. The anode is preferably tungsten, and the insulator is preferably pyrolytic boron nitride. The x-ray unit is preferably coupled to a voltage source through a coaxial cable. The anode is preferably a heavy metal such as tungsten. The cathode may also be a ferroelectric material. The x-ray unit can have a diameter less than about 4mm, and a length less than about 15 mm. Methods of use of the catheter are also disclosed. The catheter of the present invention can be used to irradiate the site of an angioplasty procedure to prevent restenosis. It can also be used to treat other conditions in any vessel, lumen or cavity of the body.