Multi-pixel electron microbeam irradiator systems and methods for selectively irradiating predetermined locations

A method for selectively irradiating predetermined locations on biological cells, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of individually addressable electron field emitters;
• (b) providing an electrode operable to extract electrons from the electron field emitters;
• (c) providing an anode comprising one or more electron permeable portions corresponding to the plurality of electron field emitters;
• and
• (d) individually controlling electron extraction from each of the electron field emitters to selectively irradiate a plurality of predetermined locations on biological cells through the one or more electron permeable portions.

A method for manufacturing a multi-pixel electron microbeam biological cell irradiator system, the method comprising:

• (a) depositing a plurality of conductive contacts on a substrate, wherein the conductive contacts are spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another;
• (b) depositing a plurality of electron field emitters on the conductive contacts;
• (c) depositing a non-conductive spacer on the substrate;
• (d) depositing an electrode on the non-conductive spacer;
• and
• (e) providing a plurality of transistors operable to be individually controlled to apply different voltages between the conductive contacts and the electrode for individually extracting electrons from each of the electron field emitters for selectively irradiating a plurality of predetermined locations on biological cells.

A method for selectively irradiating target cells, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a plurality of individually controllable electron field emitters;
• (b) providing an electrode operable to extract electrons from the electron field emitters;
• (c) determining target cells for irradiation;
• (d) identifying locations of the determined target cells;
• (e) individually controlling electron extraction from each of the electron field emitters to selectively irradiate the identified locations for irradiating the determined target cells;
• (f) depositing a second non-conductive spacer on the electrode;
• (g) depositing a focusing electrode on the second non-conductive spacer;
• (h) depositing a third non-conductive spacer on the focusing electrode;
• and
• (i) depositing a collimator on the third non-conductive spacer.

A method for selectively irradiating target cells, the method comprising:

• (a) depositing a plurality of conductive contacts on a substrate, wherein the conductive contacts are spaced apart and electrically isolated from one another;
• (b) depositing a plurality of electron field emitters on the conductive contacts;
• (c) depositing a non-conductive spacer on the substrate;
• (d) depositing an electrode on the non-conductive spacer;
• and
• (e) providing a plurality of transistors operable to be individually controlled to apply different voltages between the conductive contacts and the electrode for individually extracting electrons from each of the electron field emitters for selectively irradiating predetermined locations;
• and
• (f) providing an anode on the substrate, wherein providing an anode comprises:
• (i) providing a substrate including an electron permeable layer on a surface thereof;
• and
• (ii) etching through the substrate to the electron permeable layer from a surface opposing the electron permeable layer.

A method for selectively irradiating target biological cells, the method comprising:

• (a) identifying a plurality of target locations on biological cells;
• (b) determining dosage to be used for each target location;
• and
• (c) programming a controller of a multi-pixel electron microbeam cell irradiator system to set an amplitude and duration of a gate voltage to be applied to electron field emitters on one or more cathodes such that each electron field emitter provides a predetermined amount of electrons to corresponding target locations.