US3984683A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Apparatus and method for analyzing biological cells for malignancy
Assignee: RCA Corp
•
Filing: 1975-05-27
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Granted: 1976-10-05
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Expires: 1995-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A specimen containing biological cells is exposed to an electron beam. The secondary electrons emitted from the specimen are measured. Specimens with and without malignancy exhibit differences in magnitude of charging under an electron beam and differences in secondary electron energy distributions.
Inventors
- 👤 Simon Larach
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:17
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J37/00; H01J37/252; G; G01; G01N; G01N23/00; G01N23/22; G01N23/225
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of analyzing a specimen of biological cells for malignancy comprising the steps of: exposing a specimen of biological cells to an electron beam, and measuring the secondary electron emission energy emitted from said specimen when exposed to said electron beam.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
42 words
A method of analyzing a specimen of biological cells for malignancy comprising the steps of: exposing a specimen of biological cells to an electron beam, and measuring the secondary electron emission energy emitted from said specimen when exposed to said electron beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said electron beam is of sufficient magnitude to minimize noise due to the mixing of reflected primary electrons with emitted secondary emission electrons.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said electron beam acceleration potential is at least 50 volts.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said electron beam acceleration potential is less than that required to penetrate the specimen.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method claimed in claim 4 wherein said electron beam acceleration potential is no greater than 10,000 volts.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said measuring step includes comparing secondary electrons emitted from said specimen on a glass slide to that emitted from the glass slide alone.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method claimed in claim 1 wherein said measuring step includes applying a retardation potential near the specimen and determining the number of secondary electrons emitted as a function of retardation potential.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
A malignancy detecting apparatus for analyzing a specimen of biological cells comprising: means for applying an electron beam to said specimen, means for measuring the secondary electron emissions from said specimen when exposed to said electron beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A malignancy detecting apparatus for analyzing a specimen of biological cells comprising: means for applying an electron beam to said specimen, means for measuring the secondary electron emissions from said specimen when exposed to said electron beam.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination claimed in claim 8 wherein said means for measuring includes an electron retardation system and a collection plate for secondary emission electrons and means for applying bias potentials to said plate and said system.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3761709A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-05 | 1980-04-05 | 1980-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-05 | 1984-04-05 | 1984-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-05 | 1988-04-05 | 1988-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |