The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 21, 1999
Filed:
Dec. 19, 1997
Jason P Harris, Schaumburg, IL (US);
Gerald J Carlson, Lombard, IL (US);
Lester D Miller, Hudson, OH (US);
Picker International, Inc., , US;
Abstract
An x-ray tube includes an envelope defining an evacuated chamber and having a window transmissive to x-rays. An anode assembly and a cathode assembly operate within the envelope to produce x-rays which travel through the window transmissive to x-rays towards a patient or subject under examination. A shield transmissive to x-rays is coupled to the envelope and positioned such that x-rays traveling through the window transmissive to x-rays must first travel through the shield. The shield prevents substantially all secondary electrons created during the production of x-rays from coming into contact with the window transmissive to x-rays thereby preventing excessive heating of the window transmissive to x-rays. An electrode defined by the envelope in a region proximate the window transmissive to x-rays may additionally or alternatively be used to prevent secondary electrons from reaching the window transmissive to x-rays.