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:
Nov. 12, 2002
Filed:
Jun. 19, 2001
Mark Dinsmore, Sudbury, MA (US);
Photoelectron Corporation, North Billerica, MA (US);
Abstract
A miniaturized, optically driven therapeutic radiation source operates at significantly reduced power levels. The apparatus includes a laser-driven thermionic cathode, a target element, a probe assembly, and a laser source. The probe assembly includes an optical delivery structure, such as a fiber optic cable, that directs a laser beam from the laser source to impinge upon a surface of the thermionic cathode, heating the surface to a temperature sufficient to cause thermionic emission of electrons. The emitted electrons form an electron beam along a beam path. The target element is positioned in the beam path, and includes means for emitting therapeutic radiation, such as x-rays, in response to incident accelerated electrons from the electron beam. Reflector elements may be included to reflect unabsorbed laser radiation back to the thermionic cathode.