Patent JPS5638430B2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4281269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Microfocus X-ray tube
Assignee: ACTA FOUNDATION Inc A CORP OF MD
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Filing: 1979-10-23
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Granted: 1981-07-28
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Expires: 1999-10-23
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a reusable microfocus X-ray tube adapted to generate a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam. The X-ray tube comprises means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam, a target anode, and means for moving the target anode so that it is stationary during production of the X-rays but a fresh portion of the surface of the target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used. The target anode is preferably in the form of a ribbon.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Ledley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:54
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/24; H01J35/26; H01J35/02; H01J35/04; H01J35/08; H01J35/112
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A reusable microfocus X-ray tube adapted to generate a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam, said microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; and (c) second means for moving said target anode so that it is stationary during production of X-rays but a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
A reusable microfocus X-ray tube adapted to generate a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam, said microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; and (c) second means for moving said target anode so that it is stationary during production of X-rays but a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 1 wherein said target anode is in the form of a ribbon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 2 wherein said target anode is made of tungsten.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 2 wherein said target anode is trained around a plurality of spools mounted within the X-ray tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 4 wherein said second means comprises a motor mounted within the X-ray tube and operatively connected to at least one of said spools.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 1 wherein said target anode is made of tungsten.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 1 wherein the working surface of said target anode is made of a single anode material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 1 wherein said second means moves said target anode by a short distance between uses of the X-ray tube, whereby the used portions of said target anode are closely spaced.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam and (b) a target anode, the improvement wherein: (c) the X-ray tube further comprises second means for moving said target anode so that it is stationary during production of X-rays but a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used, whereby a relatively large number of X-rays can be generated in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam without destroying the X-ray tube.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
98 words
In a microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam and (b) a target anode, the improvement wherein: (c) the X-ray tube further comprises second means for moving said target anode so that it is stationary during production of X-rays but a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used, whereby a relatively large number of X-rays can be generated in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam without destroying the X-ray tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 9 wherein said target anode is in the form of a ribbon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 10 wherein said target anode is made of tungsten.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 10 wherein said target anode is trained around a plurality of spools mounted within the X-ray tube.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 12 wherein said second means comprises a motor mounted within the X-ray tube and operatively connected to at least one of said spools.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 9 wherein said target anode is made of tungsten.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 9 wherein the working surface of said target anode is made of a single anode material.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 9 wherein said second means moves said target anode by a short distance between uses of the X-ray tube, whereby the used portions of said target anode are closely spaced.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of generating a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a re-usable microfocus X-ray tube comprising means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam and a target anode, said method comprising the step of moving the target anode so that it is stationary during production of X-ray but a fresh portion of the surface of the target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
79 words
A method of generating a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a re-usable microfocus X-ray tube comprising means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam and a target anode, said method comprising the step of moving the target anode so that it is stationary during production of X-ray but a fresh portion of the surface of the target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 17 wherein said target anode is moved by a short distance between uses of the X-ray tube, whereby the used portions of the target anode are closely spaced.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 17 wherein the working surface of said target anode is made of a single anode material.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
109 words
A reusable microfocus X-ray tube for taking medical X-rays, said microfocus X-ray tube of a type to generate a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam, said microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; (c) second means for moving said target anode; and (d) third means for coordinating said first and second means so that said target anode is stationary during production of X-rays and a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam upon each actuation of said beam.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
109 words
A reusable microfocus X-ray tube for taking medical X-rays, said microfocus X-ray tube of a type to generate a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam, said microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; (c) second means for moving said target anode; and (d) third means for coordinating said first and second means so that said target anode is stationary during production of X-rays and a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam upon each actuation of said beam.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 20 wherein said target anode is in the form of a ribbon.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 20 wherein said target anode is made of tungsten.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 20 wherein the working surface of said target anode is made of a single anode material.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 20 wherein said third means causes said target anode to move by a short distance between uses of the X-ray tube whereby the used portions of said target anode are closely spaced.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a microfocus X-ray tube for taking medical X-rays, said microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; and (c) second means for moving said target anode, the improvement wherein the X-ray tube further comprises: (d) third means for coordinating said first and second means so that said target anode is stationary during production of X-rays and a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam in each instance the X-ray tube is used, whereby a relatively large number of X-rays can be generated in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam without destroying the usefulness of the X-ray tube.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
122 words
In a microfocus X-ray tube for taking medical X-rays, said microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; and (c) second means for moving said target anode, the improvement wherein the X-ray tube further comprises: (d) third means for coordinating said first and second means so that said target anode is stationary during production of X-rays and a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam in each instance the X-ray tube is used, whereby a relatively large number of X-rays can be generated in a relatively short period of time using a narrowly focused electron beam without destroying the usefulness of the X-ray tube.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
39 words
The microfocus X-ray tube recited in claim 25 wherein said third means causes said target anode to move by a short distance between uses of the X-ray tube, whereby the used portions of said target anode are closely spaced.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 25 wherein said target anode is in the form of a ribbon.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 25 wherein said target anode is made of tungsten.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
24 words
A microfocus X-ray tube as recited in claim 25 wherein the working surface of said target anode is made of a single anode material.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time for use in taking medical X-rays using a re-usable microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; and (c) second means for moving said target anode, said method comprising the step of coordinating said first and second means so that said target anode is stationary during production of X-rays, but a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of generating a relatively large number of X-rays in a relatively short period of time for use in taking medical X-rays using a re-usable microfocus X-ray tube comprising: (a) first means for producing a dense, narrow electron beam; (b) a target anode; and (c) second means for moving said target anode, said method comprising the step of coordinating said first and second means so that said target anode is stationary during production of X-rays, but a fresh portion of the surface of said target anode is presented to the electron beam each time the X-ray tube is used.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method as recited in claim 30 wherein said target anode is moved by a short distance between uses of the X-ray tube, whereby the used portions of the target anode are closely spaced.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 30 wherein the working surface of said target anode is made of a single anode material.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1984-07-27 | 1985-01-26 | 1985-07-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-07-27 | 1989-01-26 | 1989-07-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-07-27 | 1993-01-26 | 1993-07-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |