A new miniature x-ray source for interstitial radiosurgery: device description

A device that generates low-energy x rays at the tip of a needle-like probe was developed for stereotactic interstitial radiosurgery. Electrons from a small thermionic gun are accelerated to a final energy of up to 40 keV and directed along a 3 mm outside diameter drift tube to a thin Au target, whe...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inMedical physics (Lancaster) Vol. 23; no. 1; p. 45
Main Authors Dinsmore, M, Harte, K J, Sliski, A P, Smith, D O, Nomikos, P M, Dalterio, M J, Boom, A J, Leonard, W F, Oettinger, P E, Yanch, J C
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.01.1996
Subjects
Biophysical Phenomena
Biophysics
Electronics, Medical
Equipment Design
Humans
Miniaturization
Radiosurgery - instrumentation
Technology, Radiologic
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Summary:A device that generates low-energy x rays at the tip of a needle-like probe was developed for stereotactic interstitial radiosurgery. Electrons from a small thermionic gun are accelerated to a final energy of up to 40 keV and directed along a 3 mm outside diameter drift tube to a thin Au target, where the beam size is approximately 0.3 mm. All high-voltage electronics are in the probe housing, connected by low-voltage cable to a battery-operated control box. X-ray output, which is nearly isotropic, consists of a bremsstrahlung spectrum and several lines between 7 and 14 keV, with characteristic radiation contributing 15% of the total energy output. To date, 14 patients with metastatic brain tumors have been treated with this device.
ISSN:0094-2405
2473-4209
DOI:10.1118/1.597790