IP Library Granted Patent US 12,701,647
Granted Patent B2
US 12,701,647 · App. 19/276,690 · Granted Aug 4, 2026

X-ray generation apparatus and X-ray imaging apparatus

Inventors: Hisashi Watanabe (Tokyo, JP); Atsuhiro Kuwajima (Nagano, JP); Takeo Tsukamoto (Nigata, JP)
Assignee: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
H05G1/04H01J35/16H05G1/06H01J35/112
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,701,647
App. No.
19/276,690
Filed
Jul 22, 2025
Granted
Aug 4, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2884
USPC
378/101
Abstract

X-ray generation apparatus includes X-ray generation tube having insulating tube with first and second opening ends, cathode closing the first opening end and having electron emitting portion, and anode closing the second opening end and having target; driving circuit for driving the X-ray generation tube; and accommodating container accommodating the X-ray generation tube and the driving circuit. The accommodating container has third opening end, and the X-ray generation tube closes the third opening end. The accommodating container defines first space storing the driving circuit, and second space protruding from the first space and storing the X-ray generation tube, the accommodating container includes protrusion portion surrounding the second space, and one end of the second space forms the third opening end.

Claims (39)

1 . An X-ray generation apparatus comprising:

an X-ray generation tube including an insulating tube with a first opening end and a second opening end, a cathode arranged to close the first opening end of the insulating tube and including an electron emitting portion, and an anode arranged to close the second opening end and including a target that generates X-rays when electrons from the electron emitting portion collide;

a driving circuit configured to drive the X-ray generation tube; and

an accommodating container configured to accommodate the X-ray generation tube and the driving circuit,

wherein the accommodating container has a third opening end, and the X-ray generation tube is arranged to close the third opening end,

the accommodating container is filled with an insulating liquid,

the accommodating container defines a first space storing the driving circuit, and a second space protruding from the first space and storing the X-ray generation tube,

the accommodating container includes a protrusion portion surrounding the second space, and one end of the second space forms the third opening end,

an outer surface of the cathode includes a cylindrical side surface, and

the side surface of the cathode is surrounded by a first member, and the first member is surrounded by a second member arranged between the first member and the accommodating container,

the accommodating container includes a convex portion protruding toward an interior of the accommodating container in a section including an axis of the X-ray generation tube, and

the second member has a first region which overlaps a virtual line connecting the convex portion and an outer surface of the cathode, and a second region closer to the anode than the first region, and a maximum value of a thickness of the second member in the first region is larger than a maximum value of a thickness of the second member in the second region.

2 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the entire side surface of the cathode is surrounded by the first member.

3 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein

in addition to the entire side surface of the cathode, the entire side surface of the insulating tube is surrounded by the first member.

4 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

in addition to the side surface of the cathode, at least a part of a side surface of the insulating tube is surrounded by the first member.

5 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the second member is arranged spaced apart from the first member and the accommodating container.

6 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the entire cathode is arranged in the second space.

7 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the entire insulating tube is arranged in the second space.

8 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

at least a part of the insulating tube is surrounded by the second member.

9 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

each of the first member and the second member is made of an insulating material.

10 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

the first member is one of polytetrafluoroethylene, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate resin), epoxy, and fluorine rubber.

11 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 wherein

the second member is formed by a resin-impregnated glass fabric laminated body.

12 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the insulating liquid is an insulating oil.

13 . The X-ray generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein

the insulating liquid is a fluorine-based inert liquid.

14 . An X-ray imaging apparatus comprising:

an X-ray generation apparatus defined in claim 1 ; and

an X-ray detector configured to detect X-rays emitted from the X-ray generation apparatus.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 21, 2025
From: WATANABE, HISASHI; KUWAJIMA, ATSUHIRO; TSUKAMOTO, TAKEO
To: CANON ANELVA CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 072612/0613 →
Priority Claims (1)
WO PCT/JP2023/002275 · Jan 25, 2023 · international
Continuity (2)
Continuation PCTJP2023033424 · Sep 13, 2023
Related Publication 20250351254A1 · Nov 13, 2025
References Cited (113)
US 5132999A · Wirth · 1992 [cited by applicant]
US 7340035B2 · Tang · 2008 [cited by applicant]
US 9131590B2 · Suzuki et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 9230774B2 · Yanagisawa et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9282622B2 · Draper et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9373478B2 · Tamura et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 9653252B2 · Yanagisawa et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9741524B2 · Kawase · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9818571B2 · Shiozawa et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9824848B2 · Ikarashi · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9831060B2 · Kawase · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 9887063B2 · Yamazaki et al. · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 10381190B2 · Ikarashi · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10504679B2 · Ohashi · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 10720299B1 · Ando · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10743396B1 · Kawase · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10813203B2 · Kawase et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 10969347B2 · Kawase · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11039526B2 · Suzuki et al. · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11140763B2 · Kawase · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 11875965B2 · Ishii · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 12342446B2 · Tsukamoto · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20130266119A1 · Taniguchi et al. · 2013 [cited by applicant]
US 20140029725A1 · Ueda et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140093042A1 · Suzuki et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140362974A1 · Yanagisawa et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20140369467A1 · Yamazaki et al. · 2014 [cited by applicant]
US 20150098552A1 · Draper et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20150179387A1 · Onishi et al. · 2015 [cited by applicant]
US 20160020060A1 · Ohashi et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160126053A1 · Ikarashi · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160133429A1 · Kawase · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160155598A1 · Shiozawa et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160163499A1 · Shimono · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20160225572A1 · Yanagisawa et al. · 2016 [cited by applicant]
US 20170032923A1 · Tsunoda et al. · 2017 [cited by applicant]
US 20180053624A1 · Ikarashi · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20180182590A1 · Ohashi · 2018 [cited by applicant]
US 20190150255A1 · Kawase et al. · 2019 [cited by applicant]
US 20200154552A1 · Suzuki et al. · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20200211808A1 · Ando · 2020 [cited by applicant]
US 20210029809A1 · Ishii · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210063324A1 · Kawase · 2021 [cited by examiner]
US 20210100088A1 · Ishii · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20210212188A1 · Kawase · 2021 [cited by applicant]
US 20220246384A1 · Ishii · 2022 [cited by applicant]
US 20240306283A1 · Kawase et al. · 2024 [cited by applicant]
US 20250349488A1 · Watanabe et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250349489A1 · Kuwajima et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250349490A1 · Yamada et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250351255A1 · Watanabe et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250351256A1 · Kuwajima et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
US 20250351257A1 · Watanabe et al. · 2025 [cited by applicant]
CN 105575747A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
CN 114127886A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
EP 3923312A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
EP 3923321A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
JP H0287500A · 1990 [cited by applicant]
JP H04319296A · 1992 [cited by applicant]
JP 2007080568A · 2007 [cited by applicant]
JP 2011233411A · 2011 [cited by applicant]
JP 2013101879A · 2013 [cited by applicant]
JP 2014072158A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
JP 2014086147A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
JP 2014139876A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
JP 2014154423A · 2014 [cited by applicant]
JP 2015015227A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
JP 2015028909A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
JP 2015153548A · 2015 [cited by applicant]
JP 2016085945A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
JP 2016095916A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
JP 2016103451A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
JP 2016539484A · 2016 [cited by applicant]
JP 2017016921A · 2017 [cited by applicant]
JP 2017022037A · 2017 [cited by applicant]
JP 2018026355A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
JP 2018073625A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
JP 2018206676A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
JP 2018206677A · 2018 [cited by applicant]
JP 2021022428A · 2021 [cited by applicant]
JP 7413614B1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
JP 7486694B1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
KR 20220037408A · 2022 [cited by applicant]
WO 2020136911A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO 2020213039A1 · 2020 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021015036A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021044524A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2021044525A1 · 2021 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024157394A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
WO 2024157530A1 · 2024 [cited by applicant]
Decision to Grant a Patent with translation mailed on Oct. 21, 2024 by the Japan Patent Office in corresponding Japan Patent Application No. 2024-558176. (5 pages). [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) with translation and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) with machine translation mailed on Nov. 28, 2023, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for I… [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (PCT/IPEA/409) issued in corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2024/031346 dated Aug. 7, 2025, with machine translation. (20 pages). [cited by applicant]
Decision to Grant a Patent mailed Apr. 26, 2024, by the Japan Patent Office for corresponding Application No. 2024-506267, 7 pages including 3 pages of English Translation. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Forms PCT/IB/373 and PCT/ISA/237) issued on Jul. 22, 2025, by the International Bureau of WIPO, in corresponding International Application No. PCT/JP2023/033426, 4 page… [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (Forms PCT/IPEA/409) issued on Aug. 20, 2024, by the Japanese Patent Office (IPEA/JP), in corresponding International Application No. PCT/JP2023/033425, 4 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (PCT/IPEA/409) dated Aug. 7, 2024, issued in corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2023/033423, 17 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (PCT/IPEA/409) dated Oct. 8, 2024, issued in corresponding International Patent Application No. PCT/JP2023/033420, 16 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability (PCT/IPEA/409) with English translation dated Aug. 20, 2024, 22 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability of the International Searching Authority (Forms PCT/IB/373 and PCT/ISA/237) issued on Jul. 22, 2025, by the International Bureau of WIPO in corresponding International A… [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability of the International Searching Authority (Forms PCT/IB/373 and PCT/ISA/237) issued on Jul. 22, 2025, by the International Bureau of WIPO in corresponding International A… [cited by applicant]
International Preliminary Report on Patentability of the International Searching Authority (Forms PCT/IB/373 and PCT/ISA/237) issued on Jul. 22, 2025, by the International Bureau of WIPO in corresponding International A… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (Form PCT/ISA/210) issued on Mar. 7, 2023, by the Japanese Patent Office (ISA/JP) in corresponding International Application No. PCT/JP2023/002275, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (Form PCT/ISA/210) issued on Oct. 15, 2024, by the Japanese Patent Office (ISA/JP) in corresponding International Application No. PCT/JP2024/031346, 2 pages. [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) both with English translation mailed Nov. 21, 2023, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for InternationalApp… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) both with English translation mailed Nov. 28, 2023, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Ap… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) with full translation mailed Nov. 28, 2023, by the Japan Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Application N… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) with machine translation mailed on Nov. 21, 2023, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Appl… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) with translation and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) mailed on Dec. 5, 2023, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Application N… [cited by applicant]
International Search Report (PCT/ISA/210) with translation and Written Opinion (PCT/ISA/237) mailed on Mar. 19, 2024, by the Japanese Patent Office as the International Searching Authority for International Application … [cited by applicant]
Office Action issued on Aug. 26, 2025, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 19/277,116, 8 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action issued on Jan. 28, 2025, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 18/974,437, 18 pages. [cited by applicant]
Office Action issued on Sep. 30, 2025, by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in U.S. Appl. No. 19/276,690, 7 pages. [cited by applicant]