Patent US5854822A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5854822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Miniature x-ray device having cold cathode
Assignee: Medtronic Vascular Inc
•
Filing: 1997-07-25
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Granted: 1998-12-29
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Expires: 2017-07-25
Abstract
Abstract Generally, the present invention provides a device for insertion into a body and delivery of x-ray radiation, and a method for fabricating such a device. The device includes a connector, the vacuum housing, an anode and a cathode having a granular surface and being composed of a material that allows it to act as a getter. The cathode may also contain diamond material in one embodiment.
Inventors
- 👤 Victor I. Chornenky
- 👤 Dale L. Schreiner
- 👤 Michael R. Forman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 11:19
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61N; A61N5/00; A61N5/10; A61N5/1001; H; H01; H01J; H01J35/00; H01J35/32; A61N5/1002
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation, comprising: a connector, including a proximal and a distal portion; a vacuum housing coupled to the distal portion of the connector; an anode disposed within the vacuum housing; and a cathode disposed within the vacuum housing and having a granular surface, the cathode being operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation, the cathode being composed of a material that also allows it to act as a getter.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation, comprising: a connector, including a proximal and a distal portion; a vacuum housing coupled to the distal portion of the connector; an anode disposed within the vacuum housing; and a cathode disposed within the vacuum housing and having a granular surface, the cathode being operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation, the cathode being composed of a material that also allows it to act as a getter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the granular surface of the cathode provides multiple protrusions capable of field emission of electrons when a moderate electrical field for x-rays is applied to the cathode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is formed from a granular material including granular sizes in a range of about 0.5 to 50 micrometers.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is formed by thermal diffusion bonding of a granular getter material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the anode and the cathode are separated by a distance ranging from about 0.2 to 1.5 millimeters.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the vacuum housing has a center axis and the anode is positioned coaxially with the center axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a flexible conductor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the connector is a flexible coaxial cable.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is comprised of an alloy including zirconium and aluminum.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is comprised of a vanadium alloy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is comprised of an iron alloy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is comprised of titanium.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is comprised of aluminum.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is comprised of an alloy including vanadium, iron and zirconium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 1, wherein the cathode is prepared by a conditioning process that reduces unstable emission sites at the cathode surface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
95 words
A device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation, comprising: a connector, including a proximal and a distal portion; a vacuum housing coupled to the distal portion of the connector; an anode disposed within the vacuum housing; and a cathode disposed within the vacuum housing and having a granular surface, the cathode being operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation, the cathode being comprised of a material that also allows it to act as a getter and containing diamond powder mixed with a getter material.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
95 words
A device suitable for insertion into a body and for delivery of x-ray radiation, comprising: a connector, including a proximal and a distal portion; a vacuum housing coupled to the distal portion of the connector; an anode disposed within the vacuum housing; and a cathode disposed within the vacuum housing and having a granular surface, the cathode being operative with the anode and the connector to produce the x-ray radiation, the cathode being comprised of a material that also allows it to act as a getter and containing diamond powder mixed with a getter material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 16, wherein the granular surface of the cathode provides multiple protrusions capable of field emission of electrons when a moderate electrical field for x-rays is applied to the cathode.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for producing a device suitable for insertion into a body and delivering x-ray radiation, comprising: forming a cathode from granular getter material; and combining the cathode with an anode, a vacuum housing, and a connector, so that the cathode is operative with the anode and connector to produce x-ray radiation.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for producing a device suitable for insertion into a body and delivering x-ray radiation, comprising: forming a cathode from granular getter material; and combining the cathode with an anode, a vacuum housing, and a connector, so that the cathode is operative with the anode and connector to produce x-ray radiation.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-12-28 | 2002-06-29 | 2002-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-12-28 | 2006-06-29 | 2006-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-12-28 | 2010-06-29 | 2010-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |