Patent ID: 11154729

Abstract:
An apparatus for applying an electron beam to a subdermal tumor generates a pulsed electron beam that is collimated to a diameter of less than 1 mm and less than 10 millimeter-milliradiant transverse emittance. A biopsy needle having an interior diameter less than 2 mm and length between 1 cm and 100 cm is inserted through the skin to the tumor, and the electron beam is electromagnetically directed through the needle, so as to reach the tumor without irradiating intervening normal tissue and with minimal irradiation of surrounding normal tissue. The electron pulsing rate can be in the S-band or Q-band, the beam energy can be between 1 Mev and 6 MeV, and/or the beam brightness can be less than 10 mm·mrad. A distal end of the biopsy needle can include an electron-permeable vacuum barrier, and the apparatus can be evacuated to less than 10−8 Torr.