EP2850634A1 - Radiotherapy apparatus - Google Patents
Radiotherapy apparatusInfo
- Publication number
- EP2850634A1 EP2850634A1 EP13723919.0A EP13723919A EP2850634A1 EP 2850634 A1 EP2850634 A1 EP 2850634A1 EP 13723919 A EP13723919 A EP 13723919A EP 2850634 A1 EP2850634 A1 EP 2850634A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- radiotherapy apparatus
- anode
- electron beam
- rod
- rays
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
- H01J35/02—Details
- H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
- H01J35/08—Anodes; Anti cathodes
- H01J35/12—Cooling non-rotary anodes
- H01J35/13—Active cooling, e.g. fluid flow, heat pipes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
- H01J35/02—Details
- H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
- H01J35/06—Cathodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
- H01J35/32—Tubes wherein the X-rays are produced at or near the end of the tube or a part thereof which tube or part has a small cross-section to facilitate introduction into a small hole or cavity
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
- H01J35/02—Details
- H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
- H01J35/08—Anodes; Anti cathodes
- H01J35/112—Non-rotating anodes
- H01J35/116—Transmissive anodes
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01J—ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS
- H01J35/00—X-ray tubes
- H01J35/02—Details
- H01J35/04—Electrodes ; Mutual position thereof; Constructional adaptations therefor
- H01J35/08—Anodes; Anti cathodes
- H01J35/12—Cooling non-rotary anodes
Definitions
- This invention relates to the field of radiotherapy apparatus, particularly for the treatment of human cancers.
- radiotherapy apparatus in the form of a rod anode X-ray tube of the known type illustrated in Figure 1.
- the rod anode X-ray tube consists of a vacuum chamber 10 containing an emissive filament 11 and a rod structure 12 terminated with a high density metal target or transmission anode 13.
- the filament 11 is connected to a high voltage generator 15 which is grounded by grounded anode 16.
- the filament typically consists of a coiled tungsten wire that is heated until white hot when electrons are liberated from the surface. Electrons emitted from the filament 11 are focussed along a desired path by a focus electrode 14.
- the rod structure 12 is a rod-shaped electron beam conduit or drift tube through which the electron beam travels from the filament to the anode.
- X-rays are produced when the electrons, attracted by the strong positive charge (typically 50 kV) of the anode 13, collide with the anode's surface. Most of the electron energy is dissipated in the form of heat but a small number of photons (X-rays) with peak energy equal to the attracting potential are produced.
- the strong positive charge typically 50 kV
- the transmission anode 13 needs to be very thin (typically half a wavelength, of the order of 5 ⁇ ) to allow the X-rays to exit.
- a reflective anode (rather than a transmission anode) can be used with a radiation transparent window in the otherwise radiopaque rod 12 providing an exit path for the X-ray beam.
- the radiation is directed to the cancerous tissue, normally at a distance of 20-50 mm from the anode 13.
- the extent to which electrons emitted by the filament 1 1 can be effectively focussed is limited because of the non-uniform shape of the coiled wire filament. Poor focussing of the electrons reduces the quantity of useable X-ray radiation output by the tube and increases the risk of X-ray radiation being undesirably generated in other parts of the apparatus than the anode 13.
- the tube can be relatively inefficient because so much of the electron energy is dissipated as heat. Either the tube has to be operated at low power (to allow the heat to dissipate) which undesirably increases treatment time, or a cooling mechanism for the anode needs to be provided such as that disclosed in US8094784 (Rapiscan Systems, Inc).
- An X-ray tube needs to have very specific characteristics in order to be successfully used as radiotherapy apparatus for the treatment of human cancers.
- radiotherapy apparatus for the treatment of human cancers.
- the rod needs to be suitably sized and shaped in order to reach into the body cavity (e.g. rectum or vagina or intra-operative surgical site) where treatment is required.
- body cavity e.g. rectum or vagina or intra-operative surgical site
- the X-ray dose rate is proportional to the tube beam current and this should be sufficient to deliver therapeutic dose as quickly as possible to avoid error due to involuntary movement, discomfort or in the case of intra-operative treatment, undesirable increases in the procedure time.
- the X-ray radiation beam should be isotropic (multi-directional) so that the tumour can be accessed regardless of the orientation in relation to the rod structure.
- the radiation beam must be uniform in all directions (preferably having a circular profile) and its position stable.
- the output X-ray beam has a profile dependent upon the shape of the filament. This may differ considerably from the circular profile which would be ideal to achieve uniformity.
- radiotherapy apparatus comprising:
- a radiation-generating target anode capable of generating X-rays in response to the incidence of the electron beam thereon;
- radiotherapy apparatus comprising:
- a radiation-generating target anode capable of generating X-rays in response to the incidence of the electron beam thereon;
- an insulator (29) is located in the rod-shaped conduit (24) proximally of the anode (27) so that X-rays are emitted from a field of less than a 360° spherical field.
- a radiotherapy system comprising radiotherapy apparatus as described above and a set of applicators. Further features of the invention are defined in the appended claims.
- FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a prior art X-ray tube apparatus with transmission anode
- Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of radiotherapy apparatus embodying aspects of the invention.
- Figure 3 shows the target anode from Figure 2, drawn to a larger scale, and with the electron beam represented.
- FILAMENT Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of radiotherapy apparatus having a vacuum chamber 20 containing a heating filament 21.
- the heating filament 21 is used to heat an electron emissive cathode 22 comprising a generally cylindrical shape with a hemispherical end coated with an electron emissive material such as strontium. Electrons are emitted to produce an electron beam. In this way, the electrons used to produce the electron beam are emitted from an indirectly heated cathode rather than directly from the filament. Electrons emitted from the cathode 22 (the electron beam) are focussed along a desired path by a focus electrode 23.
- the shape of the cathode 22 can be selected to optimise the profile of the electron beam so that it preferably has a circular profile.
- the electron beam is attracted towards a rod-shaped anode structure or conduit 24 within the vacuum chamber 20, at the distal end of which it is focussed onto an anode (described in more detail below).
- the rod is typically at least 10-15 cm long and preferably 20 cm in order to reach into body cavities such as rectum and vagina. It is desirable for the electron beam to enter the rod structure 24 centrally for it to reach the anode. Centering of the electron beam can be achieved by magnetic deflection. It is known to use electromagnets for this purpose but their performance is temperature dependant, they are relatively large, require control circuits, and it can be difficult to sense when they are working correctly.
- FIG. 2 An alternative positioning apparatus for the electron beam is illustrated in Figure 2 in which an array of high field intensity permanent magnets 25 located near the proximal end of the rod 24 are position-adjustable. There are preferably three permanent magnets spaced with 120° separation around the longitudinal axis of the rod 24. The magnetic field intensity can be changed by advancing or retracting the magnets 25 radially in relation to the longitudinal axis of the rod.
- a further advantage of the electron beam profile being symmetrical is that the effect of such magnetic positioning electrodes (and indeed the influence of the electrostatic focussing electrode 23) is uniform, permitting a relatively simple design thereof.
- a "scraper" electrode assembly 26 comprising a non-radiation-emissive (low density) material, for example aluminium, is located at the point along the axis immediately forward (distal) of the deflecting magnets 25.
- the scraper electrode has the effect of absorbing any electrons which are significantly misaligned that would, if not absorbed, produce unwanted and potentially dangerous X-ray radiation at the rod entrance.
- the beam positioning apparatus and scraper electrode assembly may be useful in any radiotherapy apparatus having a rod-shaped electron beam conduit, not necessarily only such apparatus having an indirectly heated electron-emissive cathode.
- the target anode 27 located at the end of the rod 24 is generally hemispherical. Incidence of the electron beam on the anode causes the emission of X-rays therefrom.
- the anode 27 is preferably of the transmission type whereby X-rays are emitted from the assembly isotropically or in a spherical field due to the anode being sufficiently thin (less than 0.5 of the radiation wavelength) to avoid self-absorption.
- the target anode 27 is deposited on a beryllium transmissive hemispherical window 28 to ensure good thermal conduction to a surface external to the vacuum chamber 20. By making the target anode 27 larger in diameter than the electron beam a small amount of misalignment can be accommodated (see Figure 3).
- the curvature of the window 28 and hence the anode surface when combined with the large focal spot, eliminates lateral fall off which is normally associated with micro focus electron beams when they interact with a conventional planar perpendicular X-ray target anode.
- the large diameter (preferably 4 mm) focal spot also has two further advantages:
- the electron beam gives up its energy in the form of heat distributed over a larger surface area and therefore eliminates high temperature gradients.
- the resulting X-ray beam is diffuse and can be considered as a large number of different rays each with their own beam path.
- the effect is to mask or blur any small absorbing artefacts with the beam path.
- a ceramic insulator 29 is located in the rod proximally of the anode 27 so that X-rays are emitted preferably from a 310° field rather than a 360° spherical field.
- the features of the target anode described above may be useful in any radiotherapy apparatus having a rod-shaped electron beam conduit, not necessarily only such apparatus having an indirectly heated electron-emissive cathode.
- Heat is generated at the distal end of the rod 24 and the proximal end at the vacuum chamber 20 must be maintained at near ambient temperature to avoid instability within the vacuum chamber 20. This temperature gradient (which may be in excess of 200 degrees Centigrade) can cause undesirable physical distortion of the rod 24.
- Known cooling systems tend to be located at and for the purpose of cooling the anode only.
- a cooling system comprising a jacket 30 closely surrounding substantially the whole rod 24.
- the cooling jacket 30 contains a circulating coolant fluid (for example oil or water) which extracts heat to minimise temperature stresses on the rod.
- a circulating coolant fluid for example oil or water
- the features of the cooling system described above may be useful in any radiotherapy apparatus having a rod-shaped electron beam conduit, not necessarily only such apparatus having an indirectly heated electron-emissive cathode.
- the radiation output will be proportional to the electron beam current. This only holds true if the entire beam hits the target anode 27. It is, therefore, useful to monitor the current flow at the target window 28 rather than at the electron gun (i.e. filament 21/cathode 22).
- a resistor typically 1 kQ
- a potential proportional to the beam current is generated which is used as a radiation output monitor.
- the features of the radiation output monitor described above may be useful in any radiotherapy apparatus having a rod-shaped electron beam conduit, not necessarily only such apparatus having an indirectly heated electron-emissive cathode.
- the radiotherapy apparatus of the present invention is capable of being used in association with a set of applicators of the type described in the inventors' co-pending application FR1 153529.
- each applicator in the set comprises a spherical hollow head of different diameter having an outer surface adapted to be in contact with a cavity of living tissue and an inner surface defining an internal volume adapted to receive X-rays from the radiotherapy apparatus, wherein at least one zone of the head is capable of being traversed by said X-rays, and wherein the thickness of said zone is a function of the diameter of said head, configured so that the X-ray dose produced at the outer surface is between 18 and 22 Gray.
- the features of the applicators described above may be useful in any radiotherapy apparatus having a rod-shaped electron beam conduit, not necessarily only such apparatus having an indirectly heated electron-emissive cathode.
- Radiotherapy apparatus as described herein is capable of delivering a therapeutic dose in less than three minutes to avoid error due to involuntary movement, discomfort or in the case of intra-operative treatment, undesirable increases in the procedure time.
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB1208631.0A GB2502109A (en) | 2012-05-16 | 2012-05-16 | X-ray radiotherapy apparatus with indirectly heated emissive cathode |
PCT/GB2013/051257 WO2013171491A1 (en) | 2012-05-16 | 2013-05-16 | Radiotherapy apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP2850634A1 true EP2850634A1 (en) | 2015-03-25 |
EP2850634B1 EP2850634B1 (en) | 2017-07-12 |
Family
ID=46458947
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP13723919.0A Active EP2850634B1 (en) | 2012-05-16 | 2013-05-16 | Radiotherapy apparatus |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP2850634B1 (en) |
ES (1) | ES2644288T3 (en) |
GB (1) | GB2502109A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2013171491A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5165093A (en) * | 1992-03-23 | 1992-11-17 | The Titan Corporation | Interstitial X-ray needle |
US6463124B1 (en) * | 1998-06-04 | 2002-10-08 | X-Technologies, Ltd. | Miniature energy transducer for emitting x-ray radiation including schottky cathode |
US6319188B1 (en) * | 1999-04-26 | 2001-11-20 | Xoft Microtube, Inc. | Vascular X-ray probe |
WO2002102459A1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2002-12-27 | Photoelectron Corporation | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source |
US6493419B1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2002-12-10 | Photoelectron Corporation | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source having a spiral-shaped thermionic cathode |
US20020191746A1 (en) * | 2001-06-19 | 2002-12-19 | Mark Dinsmore | X-ray source for materials analysis systems |
US7127033B2 (en) * | 2004-02-28 | 2006-10-24 | Xoft, Inc. | Miniature x-ray tube cooling system |
US20060126789A1 (en) * | 2004-12-10 | 2006-06-15 | Carl Zeiss Stiftung | Catheter with inflatable balloon assembly and optically activated x-ray source |
-
2012
- 2012-05-16 GB GB1208631.0A patent/GB2502109A/en not_active Withdrawn
-
2013
- 2013-05-16 EP EP13723919.0A patent/EP2850634B1/en active Active
- 2013-05-16 ES ES13723919.0T patent/ES2644288T3/en active Active
- 2013-05-16 WO PCT/GB2013/051257 patent/WO2013171491A1/en active Application Filing
Non-Patent Citations (1)
Title |
---|
See references of WO2013171491A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2013171491A1 (en) | 2013-11-21 |
GB201208631D0 (en) | 2012-06-27 |
EP2850634B1 (en) | 2017-07-12 |
GB2502109A (en) | 2013-11-20 |
ES2644288T3 (en) | 2017-11-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
AU684652B2 (en) | X-ray apparatus for applying a predetermined flux to an interior surface of a body cavity | |
KR101068680B1 (en) | Ultra-small X-ray tube using nanomaterial field emission source | |
US11521820B2 (en) | Three-dimensional beam forming x-ray source | |
US6556651B1 (en) | Array of miniature radiation sources | |
WO2006065299A1 (en) | Catheter with inflatable balloon assembly and optically activated x-ray source | |
JP4268037B2 (en) | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source | |
USRE41741E1 (en) | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source having a spiral shaped thermionic cathode | |
US20060126788A1 (en) | X-ray catheter assembly | |
CN107432992B (en) | Proximal treatment apparatus and its radioactive source | |
US6480568B1 (en) | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source | |
US6721392B1 (en) | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source including a non-planar target configuration | |
EP2850634B1 (en) | Radiotherapy apparatus | |
KR101837599B1 (en) | X-ray Tube System Using X-ray Tube Based on Carbon Nanotube for Keloid and Skin Cancer Treatment X-ray Brachytherapy Apparatus | |
CN101720492B (en) | Device for generating X-ray radiation and having a large real focus and a virtual focus which are adjusted as required | |
KR101837593B1 (en) | X-ray Brachytherapy System Using X-ray Tube Based on Carbon Nanotube for Keloid and Skin Cancer Treatment | |
US6658086B2 (en) | Optically driven therapeutic radiation source with voltage gradient control | |
US6480573B1 (en) | Therapeutic radiation source with increased cathode efficiency | |
KR101971653B1 (en) | X-ray Tube System for insertion into affected parts and X-ray Brachytherapy System comprising the same | |
JPH0924110A (en) | Treatment device using small x-ray source | |
JP2024075614A (en) | X-ray source forming a three-dimensional beam | |
CN1154177A (en) | X-ray apparatus for applying a predetermined flux to an interior surface of a body cavity |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20141215 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20160509 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R079 Ref document number: 602013023398 Country of ref document: DE Free format text: PREVIOUS MAIN CLASS: H01J0035320000 Ipc: H01J0035080000 |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20170203 |
|
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: H01J 35/32 20060101ALI20170123BHEP Ipc: H01J 35/08 20060101AFI20170123BHEP |
|
GRAS | Grant fee paid |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3 |
|
GRAA | (expected) grant |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: B1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: GB Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: EP |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: REF Ref document number: 909081 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20170715 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: FG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R096 Ref document number: 602013023398 Country of ref document: DE |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: SE Ref legal event code: TRGR |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: NL Ref legal event code: MP Effective date: 20170712 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: LT Ref legal event code: MG4D |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: ES Ref legal event code: FG2A Ref document number: 2644288 Country of ref document: ES Kind code of ref document: T3 Effective date: 20171128 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: AT Ref legal event code: MK05 Ref document number: 909081 Country of ref document: AT Kind code of ref document: T Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: HR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: NO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171012 Ref country code: FI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: NL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: AT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171112 Ref country code: BG Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171012 Ref country code: RS Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: GR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20171013 Ref country code: LV Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: PL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: DE Ref legal event code: R097 Ref document number: 602013023398 Country of ref document: DE |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: RO Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: CZ Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: DK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PLBE | No opposition filed within time limit |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: FR Ref legal event code: PLFP Year of fee payment: 6 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: EE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: SM Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
26N | No opposition filed |
Effective date: 20180413 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: CH Ref legal event code: PL |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: BE Ref legal event code: MM Effective date: 20180531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MC Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
REG | Reference to a national code |
Ref country code: IE Ref legal event code: MM4A |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LI Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180531 Ref country code: CH Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: LU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180516 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180516 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: BE Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180531 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: MT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20180516 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: TR Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: HU Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO Effective date: 20130516 Ref country code: PT Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: CY Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 Ref country code: MK Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PG25 | Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: AL Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT Effective date: 20170712 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: IT Payment date: 20230530 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: FR Payment date: 20230530 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: ES Payment date: 20230601 Year of fee payment: 11 Ref country code: DE Payment date: 20230621 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: SE Payment date: 20230530 Year of fee payment: 11 |
|
PGFP | Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo] |
Ref country code: GB Payment date: 20230531 Year of fee payment: 11 |