Varian Medical Systems wins 100th X-ray tube patent

Varian Medical Systems, Inc. (NYSE: VAR), a premier supplier of X-ray tubes and flat panel digital image detectors, announced it 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 normally 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 Kluge.

Varian also has numerous patents surrounding the development of the anode grounded 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 Runnoe.

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