Newton Scientific, Inc.

Science Research Laboratory, Inc.

Washington University

Inpho Gmbh

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

X-ray Optical Systems Incorporated

Robert E Klinkowstein

Ruth E Shefer

Barbara J Hughey

Allen M Flusberg

Michael John Welch

Peter E Oettinger

Jonah H Jacob

Francis Michael Feda

Mordechai Rokni

Frank M Feda

Earl S Marmar

Deborah W McCarthy

Carmen S Dence

Jacquelyn C Yanch

Richard Petrasso

The present application provides a bipolar x-ray tube module. The bipolar x-ray tube module may include a bipolar x-ray tube and at least two voltage multipliers. The voltage multipliers may be positioned such that the voltage gradient of the first voltage multiplier is substantially parallel to the second voltage multiplier in order to provide a compact configuration.

Bipolar X-ray module

An x-ray system is disclosed that includes a bipolar x-ray tube. The bipolar x-ray tube includes two insulators that are separated by an intermediate electrode in an embodiment, wherein each insulator forms a portion of an outer wall of a vacuum envelope of the bipolar x-ray tube surrounding at least a portion of a path of an electron beam within the vacuum envelope. In further embodiments, the bipolar x-ray tube includes a first electrode at a positive high voltage potential with respect to a reference potential, a second electrode at a negative high voltage potential with respect to the reference potential, and an x-ray transmissive window that is at the positive high voltage potential.

Compact high voltage X-ray source system and method for X-ray inspection applications

Described is a self-contained, small, lightweight, power-efficient and radiation-shielded module that includes a miniature vacuum X-ray tube emitting X-rays of a controlled intensity and defined spectrum. Feedback control circuits are used to monitor and maintain the beam current and voltage. The X-ray tube, high-voltage power supply, and the resonant converter are encapsulated in a solid high-voltage insulating material. The module can be configured into complex geometries and can be powered by commercially available small, compact, low-voltage batteries.

Integrated X-ray source module

An x-ray tube emits X-rays in response to a current control signal. An X-ray detector detects the emitted X-rays and provides a detected X-ray signal indicative thereof to a control system, which provides the current control signal. The X-ray detector provides feedback stabilization of the X-ray output from a source of X-rays, such as, for example an X-ray tube. The detector produces an electrical signal proportional to the X-ray output of the X-ray tube, and that signal is used to control the electron beam current in the tube in order to stabilize the X-ray output of the tube at a predetermined value.

X-ray detector for feedback stabilization of an X-ray tube

A high voltage power supply includes a current source that provides a continuous current signal, and a switching circuit that includes a plurality of switching elements. The switching circuit is responsive to the continuous current signal, and provides an alternating current signal. The power supply also includes a multiplier-rectifier circuit with at least one loading inductor, and having an input responsive to said alternating current signal to provide a rectified output signal. The switching circuit may be configured and arranged as an H-bridge circuit. The input of the multiplier-rectifier circuit is short circuited every half cycle of the alternating current signal during the transition from positive to negative current flow (or visa-versa).

High voltage generator

A method and apparatus for ion beam generation in which acceleration of an ion beam in a first accelerating tube to a high voltage terminal, followed by transport of the beam through the terminal without significant charge changing, and deceleration of the beam substantially to ground potential in a second accelerating tube. Since the terminal is maintained at high voltage, the beam optical characteristics between the ion source and the terminal are identical to those of normal tandem operation. The optical elements of the injector and accelerator beamline can therefore be adjusted to produce an focused beam envelope in the high voltage terminal, allowing the beam to propagate efficiently through an empty stripper canal. Since the beam, does not undergo a charge change in the terminal, it is decelerated in the second tandem accelerating tube. Since the beam propagates through the accelerator at energies higher than the injection energy, expansion of the beam due to space charge and emittance is reduced.

Method and apparatus for ion beam generation

A miniature x-ray unit includes a first electrical node, a second electrical node and an insulating material. The first and second nodes are separated by a vacuum gap. The first node includes a base portion and a projecting portion, wherein the projecting portion and the second node are surrounded by an x-ray transmissive window through which x-rays exit the unit. The insulating material coaxially surrounds the base portion of the first node such that the insulating material is recessed from the vacuum gap, and the insulator does not extend into the vacuum gap. Recessing the insulating material from the vacuum gap decreases the likelihood that the insulator will electrically break down due to the accumulation of electrical charge, and/or the accumulation of other materials on the surface of the insulator. In a preferred embodiment, the first node is an anode and the second node is a cathode. Alternatively, the first node may be the cathode and the second node may be the anode. The cathode is preferably a cold gated field emitter array (FEA) which provides a electron current having a magnitude that is sufficient to satisfy the time constraints on x-ray dose delivery.

Miniature x-ray unit

Radionuclides are produced according to the present invention at commercially significant yields and at specific activities which are suitable for use in radiodiagnostic agents such as PET imaging agents and radiotherapeutic agents and/or compositions. In the method and system of the present invention, a solid target having an isotopically enriched target layer electroplated on an inert substrate is positioned in a specially designed target holder and irradiated with a charged-particle beam. The beam is preferably generated using an accelerator such as a biomedical cyclotron at energies ranging from about 5 MeV to about 25 MeV. The target is preferably directly irradiated, without an intervening attenuating foil, and with the charged particle beam impinging an area which substantially matches the target area. The irradiated target is remotely and automatically transferred from the target holder, preferably without transferring any target holder subassemblies, to a conveyance system which is preferably a pneumatic or hydraulic conveyance system, and then further transferred to an automated separation system. The system is effective for processing a single target or a plurality of targets. After separation, the unreacted target material can be recycled for preparation of other targets. In a preferred application of the invention, a biomedical cyclotron has been used to produce over 500 mCi of .sup.64 Cu having a specific activity of over 300 mCi/.mu.g Cu according to the reaction .sup.64 Ni(p,n).sup.64 Cu. These results indicate that accelerator-produced .sup.64 Cu is suitable for radiopharmaceutical diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

Production of .sup.64 Cu and other radionuclides using a

In one embodiment there is provided an application of the .sup.10 B(n,.alpha.).sup.7 Li nuclear reaction or other neutron capture reactions for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. This application, called Boron Neutron Capture Synovectomy (BNCS), requires substantially altered demands on neutron beam design than for instance treatment of deep seated tumors. Considerations for neutron beam design for the treatment of arthritic joints via BNCS are provided for, and comparisons with the design requirements for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) of tumors are made. In addition, exemplary moderator/reflector assemblies are provided which produce intense, high-quality neutron beams based on (p,n) accelerator-based reactions. In another embodiment there is provided the use of deuteron-based charged particle reactions to be used as sources for epithermal or thermal neutron beams for neutron capture therapies. Many d,n reactions (e.g. using deuterium, tritium or beryllium targets) are very prolific at relatively low deuteron energies.

Neutron capture therapies

A target is bombarded with high energy particles to generate a radioisotope, and the radioisotope is preferably extracted by one of the following: combusting the target in oxygen, stopping the bombardment and heating the target, or heating the target by induction. Bombardment may take place through a windowless path, and the radioisotope may be used for PET. The particles used may be deuterons or protons, and .sup.13 N may be generated. .sup.11 C may also be generated from either .sup.11 B or .sup.10 B using protons or deuterons. Combustion may be performed by induction heating and may be controlled by the quantity of oxygen available or the temperature. Combustion may be primarily confined to a surface layer and the target may be reused. The beam energy may be 2.2 MeV or less. Another general aspect includes trapping the oxides of .sup.13 N in a trap. The oxides may be converted into .sup.13 N-Ammonia, and this conversion may take place in the trap, which trap may comprise silica gel and sodium hydroxide and may also contain a reducing agent such as Raney-Nickel.

Method for producing radioisotopes

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the generation of isotopes, and in particular radioisotopes, from a target material which is not normally a solid and which, when bombarded by selected high energy particles, produces the selected isotope. A surface is provided which is preferably of a thermally-conductive material, which surface is cooled to a temperature below the freezing temperature of the target material. A thin layer of target material is then frozen on the surface and the target material is bombarded with the high energy particles. The beam of high energy particles is preferably at an angle to the surface such that the particles pass through a thickness of the target material greater than the thickness of the layer before reaching the surface. When the desired quantity of isotope has been produced from the target material, the target material, which has now been altered nuclearly to contain the selected isotope, is removed from the surface. The target material may be melted or sublimated to facilitate extraction or extraction may be accomplished in some other way. For the preferred embodiment, the target surface is the interior surface of a cone.

Method and apparatus for generating isotopes

A method and apparatus are provided for performing non-invasive measurements, and in particular in vivo non-invasive measurements of the total body content of a particular element, or of the content of such elemetn in a particular body area, by use of resonant gamma ray detection. More particularly, gamma rays are generated at the resonant gamma absorption energy level for the element on which measurements are to be made and are passed through the portion of the patient's body for which measurements are to be made. Detected gamma rays passing through the patient's body may be utilized as an indication of the content of such element. The effect of non resonant gamma absorption may be subtracted by also passing gamma rays of non-resonant absorption energy through the same body part and utilizing detected gamma rays at this energy passing through the body to determine the non-resonant absorptions.

Method and apparatus for non-invasive measurements of selected body

Window constructions for use in particle accelerators to separate an evacuated accelerator beam chamber from a gas or liquid filled target area, which window structure enhances cooling of the foil covering the window opening and reduces stresses on the foil. For preferred embodiments, the window opening is shaped and dimensioned to provide high length-to-width aspect ratio and a rectangular shape with rounded corners. The openings should generally be as narrow as possible while still being wide enough to assure efficient transmission of the ion beam. Stresses in the foil is reduced by providing controlled bowing of the portions of the foil covering the window. This may be accomplished by providing some slack in the foil, at least in one dimension, but is preferably accomplished by pressing the foil between mating curved surfaces selectively extending from the edges of the window openings, resulting in the desired bow in the foil in the window area. With a rectangular opening, the bow is preferably a generally cylindrical bow about an axis parallel to the length dimension of the window. A generally spherical bow may also be utilized. A plurality of adjacent generally rectangular openings separated by struts are also utilized for some embodiments.

Window construction for a particle accelerator

A high energy, charged particle accelerator, and radiation sources utilizing such accelerator are provided. More particularly, a high yield neutron generator and apparatus for the use of such generator are provided. The generator utilizes an ion source, a target adapted to generate neutrons when bombarded by high energy ions and an accelerator tube between the source and target. A multistage cascade rectifier is paraxial with the accelerator tube and has a voltage gradient which substantially matches that of the accelerator tube. The cascade rectifier preferably surrounds the accelerator tube and has equipotential metal plates on each side of each stage, the potential gradients between each pair of plates being substantially uniform and being substantially equal to the voltage gradient in the adjacent section of the accelerator tube. Generator elements may be enclosed in a pressure vessel and a moderator may be provided in the vessel, near the target to thermalize neutrons emitted from the target. The neutron generator may be utilized for explosives detection, such as part of a mine detector or to detect explosives in luggage or other items being inspected as part of a security system. The neutron generator may also be utilized for drug detection and for nondestructive testing of objects formed of metals or other dense materials.

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Winchester, MA, United States of America

Robert E Klinkowstein