Scanning spectral X-ray imaging using an alternating high voltage X-ray source

1 . A scanning imaging system for generating a scan of an object, the scanning imaging system comprising:

a power source configured to provide an alternating current (AC) high voltage output having an amplitude and a frequency;

a distributed X-ray source coupled to the power source and including an array of X-ray emitters, wherein each X-ray emitter is configured to generate an X-ray beam with an energy spectrum based on the AC high voltage output;

an actuator for driving the position of the distributed X-ray source through a pre-planned trajectory around the object during the capture of images for generating spectral tomographic information of the object; and

a controller coupled to the power source and the distributed X-ray source and configured to:

control the alternating high voltage, and

control a timing of when to engage an X-ray emitter of the array of X-ray emitters of the distributed X-ray source-based on a predefined firing pattern, and to select a voltage level provided to the distributed X-ray source for the X-ray beam based on the timing of when to engage the X-ray emitter.

2 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured to move or position the distributed X-ray source in three dimensions around the object that is to be imaged to increase tomographic data when capturing image data.

3 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the actuator is configured by the controller to move or position the distributed X-ray source in three dimensions with respect to a plurality of X-ray filters to select various combinations of the plurality of X-ray filters.

4 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 wherein the distributed X-ray source comprises a single X-ray emitter for scanning the distributed X-ray source in a pre-planned trajectory around the object to obtain multi-spectral and multiple views of the object for reconstruction into a spectral tomographic image.

5 . The scanning imaging system of claim 4 , wherein the pre-planned trajectory is a linear motion or a multi-dimensional motion around the object.

6 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the distributed X-ray source comprises a single X-ray emitter for scanning the object in a pre-planned trajectory through the X-ray beam created by the distributed X-ray source to obtain multi-spectral and multiple views of the object for reconstruction into a spectral tomographic image, wherein the distributed X-ray source is stationary.

7 . The scanning imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the pre-planned trajectory is a linear motion of the object or a multi-dimensional motion of the object.

8 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of X-ray filters; and

wherein the controller is coupled to the plurality of X-ray filters and configured to mechanically select, via an actuation system, various combinations of the plurality of X-ray filters.

9 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to:

synchronize the timing of when to engage the X-ray emitters of the array of X-ray emitters of the distributed X-ray source, wherein the timing is adjusted based on a feedback signal from the distributed X-ray source.

10 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of X-ray filters, wherein the distributed X-ray source is a single scanning X-ray source that in conjunction with the plurality of X-ray filters are configured to switch between different X-ray spectra.

11 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising at least two X-ray filters, wherein the system is configured to utilize scanning to position the distributed X-ray source with respect to one of the at least two X-ray filters to generate a specific X-ray spectrum.

12 . The scanning imaging system of claim 2 , wherein the timing of when to engage each X-ray emitter of an array of X-ray emitters is different from the other X-ray emitters and is based on the value of the alternating high voltage.

13 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a processor configured to generate a three-dimensional ( 3 D) image information or 3D visualization; and

a detector configured to:

receive an X-ray exposure of the X-ray beam with a first energy spectrum;

generate a first X-ray image based on the X-ray exposure of the X-ray beam with the first energy spectrum;

store the first X-ray image;

receive a second X-ray exposure of the X-ray beam with a second energy spectrum;

generate a second X-ray image based on the second X-ray exposure of the X-ray beam with the second energy spectrum; and

store the second X-ray image.

14 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , wherein an array of X-ray emitters are cold cathode X-ray emitters and are designed, arranged or controlled to facilitate regulatory compliance of a focal spot size in a range of operating high voltages.

15 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising:

a plurality of X-ray filters with different X-ray filtering characteristics;

wherein the controller is configured to:

select one or more of the plurality of X-ray filters that results in dual-energy X-ray imaging or multi-energy X-ray imaging for the predefined firing pattern.

16 . A method of performing spectral tomographic reconstruction of an object, comprising:

providing, by a power source, a variable voltage to a plurality of X-ray emitters of a distributed X-ray source, wherein the variable voltage has an alternating high voltage waveform with an amplitude and a frequency;

selecting, by a controller, a time to engage an X-ray emitter from among the plurality of X-ray emitters, wherein a voltage level provided to the X-ray emitter is based on a voltage level of the alternating high voltage waveform at the time of engaging the X-ray emitter, and

generating an X-ray beam with an energy spectrum based on the voltage level of the alternating high voltage waveform at the time of engaging the X-ray emitter; and

generating, by the distributed X-ray source, a plurality of X-ray beams with variable energy spectra.

17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising:

adjusting, using one or more X-ray filters, the X-ray beam energy spectrum to produce the energy distribution required by the X-ray imaging application.

18 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

detecting, using an X-ray detector, the plurality of X-ray beams created by the distributed X-ray source in rapid succession to form images.

19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein a plurality of X-ray filters use K-edge absorption phenomenon for spectrum adjustments.

20 . The scanning imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the power source further comprises an AC generator comprising or coupled to a step-up high voltage transformer operated at standard AC power line frequencies such that the alternating current high voltage output provided by the power source is characterized by a sine wave having the standard AC power line frequency.