When irradiated in a nuclear reactor, thulium produces an isotope that emits x-rays. This isotope is used to make a lightweight, portable x-ray machine for medical use: Portable Thulium X-Ray Unit With Separable Universal Mounting Means (1959).
Thulium is used in lasers with surgical applications:
- Infrared Laser Catheter System (1993),
- Infrared Laser Catheter System (1998),
- Infrared Laser Catheter System (2000),
- A Surgical Apparatus And A Method For Treating Biological Hard Tissues, Particularly For Dental Surgery, Based On A Fibre Laser (2008), and
- Laser Device I.E. Surgical Laser, For Performing Articular Cartilage Surgery For E.G. Human, Has Light Amplification Medium Doped With Holmium And Thulium, And Mobile Element Selecting Wavelengths, Coupler And Dielectric Layer Rear Mirror (2009).
Radioactive thulium oxide can be used as a thermal heat source especially for extended manned space, or undersea missions, or remote terrestrial explorations:
- Radioisotope Heat Source (1970), and
- Thulium-170 Heat Source (1992).
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All patent information has been obtained from Espacenet (European Patent Office).