Varian Medical Systems, Inc.

Varian Associates, Inc.

Thomas J Koller

Robert C Treseder

Charles Lynn Chidester

Scott Coles

Jeff Takenaka

Mark Alan Heber

Rick Smith

Rajesh Bhandari

Rajesh Bandari

Wayne Truong

Jeffrey Takenaka

A method and apparatus for providing a window frame and window for use in an x-ray tube, wherein the new structure reduces deforming stresses on the window produced by pressure differential incident upon the window. The support structure of the window frame to which the window is attached is angled toward the interior of the x-ray tube to an angle equaling the deflection to which a window is typically subjected in standard window frames. A window mounted to a frame in accordance with the present invention is subjected to reduced or eliminated deforming stresses, even in high deflection stress environments including air bake x-ray tube manufacturing processes. This elimination of deforming stresses allows for the use of thinner x-ray tube windows enabling a higher transmissivity of produced x-rays.

X-ray tube window and frame

A window and cooling plenum for use with x-ray devices. The x-ray device includes an x-ray tube at least partially immersed in coolant contained within a reservoir. The coolant is continuously circulated through the reservoir by an external cooling unit. The window is brazed into a vacuum enclosure of the x-ray tube and includes a plurality of extended surfaces that are integral with the window. A compensating window is also provided and is disposed substantially proximate to the extended surfaces of the window so that a fluid passageway is defined. The compensating window and window are substantially enclosed within a cooling plenum having fluid inlet and outlet connections in fluid communication with the fluid passageway and the reservoir. A flow of coolant generated by the external cooling unit enters the fluid passageway so that the coolant is able to absorb heat dissipated by the window. Upon exiting the fluid passageway, the coolant returns to the reservoir to repeat the cycle. In addition to facilitating definition of the fluid passageway, the compensating window includes extended surfaces and slots which serve to attenuate differences in the intensity of x-rays emitted through the extended surfaces and slots of the window. By ensuring that the x-rays ultimately emitted from the x-ray device are of substantially uniform intensity, the compensating window serves to maintain the quality of diagnostic images produced by the x-ray device.

Large surface area x-ray tube window and window cooling plenum

A method and apparatus for reducing off-focus radiation by modifying a shape of a rotating target anode disposed within a cathode grounded x-ray tube. The shape of the target anode body is modified such that surfaces of the target anode which could otherwise direct the greatest amounts of off-focus radiation toward an x-ray sensitive imaging device are angled or shortened so as to redirect the off-focus radiation away from a focal direction. These modifications to surfaces of the target anode body include modifying a front surface, a side or edge surface, and a back surface.

Shaped target for mammography

A method and apparatus for superimposing a plurality of electron beams at a desired location after X-ray tube manufacturing processes are generally complete. The method is embodied in providing mechanical and electrical means which are internal to the X-ray tube which provide means for adjustment of a focal point of a plurality of electron beams being emitted from a cathode assembly to thereby provide precise control of where the plurality of electron beams achieve superimposition on a target anode.

Electron beam superimposition method and apparatus

A mammography X-ray tube providing increased X-ray intensity for shortening patient exposure times to eliminate motion artifacts. The cathode design permits superpositioning of electron beam from multiple filaments.

Growing community of inventors

Salt Lake City, UT, United States of America

Thomas J Koller