Patent Awarded for Improving X-Ray Shielding

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (Palo Alto, Ca, USA), a supplier of X-ray tubes and flat panel digital image detectors, has been awarded a patent for improved shielding in X-ray tubes. It is the company's 100th X-ray tube patent from the United States Patent Office.

The new Patent # 7661445 entitled "Shielded Cathode Assembly” applies to internal shielding in X-ray tubes. Where lead is typically used in the tube housing to protect from radiation leakage, the new patent involves moving the shielding, now made of tungsten, inside the X-ray tube, closer to the point of X-ray development. "By moving the shielding as close to the X-ray source as possible, this innovative technology improves the radiation shielding, reduces the tube weight and moves toward a ‘greener' product by using less lead,” said Dennis Runnoe, vice president of Varian's X-ray products research and development group.

"Our focus on innovative cost-effective solutions for developing and advancing X-ray technology fuels our company's growth and helps to improve the performance and cost-effectiveness of the X-ray imaging equipment manufactured by our customers,” said Bob Kluge, president Varian X-ray products. "In order to meet our customers' evolving technology requirements for high-resolution imaging, longer tube life, and faster throughput, we have a comprehensive research and development program which incorporates teaming concepts and active customer participation,” added Mr. Kluge.

Varian also has numerous patents surrounding the development of the anode-grounded computed tomography (CT) tube. "Varian has been a pioneer in anode-grounded tube technology which has resulted in faster CT-scanning, air cooled X-ray tubes for safer mammography and smaller size, lighter weight X-ray tubes,” said Mr. Runnoe.

Currently Varian has more than 50 additional X-ray tube and digital detector patents pending.

Varian is a world-leading manufacturer of medical devices and software for treating cancer and other medical conditions with radiotherapy, radiosurgery, proton therapy, and brachytherapy. The company supplies informatics software for managing cancer clinics, radiotherapy centers, and medical oncology practices. The company also supplies X-ray imaging products for cargo screening and industrial non-destructive inspection.

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