Method and apparatus for advanced X-ray imaging systems

1. An X-ray imaging system for imaging a human patient comprising:

a vacuum bell for creating a vacuum envelope in an X-ray source;

an X-ray radiation-permeable window configured to emit X-ray radiation from a plurality of spots located 1 cm from an edge of said window;

a bonded connection between said window and said vacuum bell;

a collimator located between said X-ray source and said human patient for projecting said X-ray radiation through said human patient;

an X-ray detector for measuring amount of said X-ray radiation passing through said human patient and striking said detector;

a second vacuum bell in contact with said vacuum bell for creating a second vacuum envelope in a second X-ray source;

a second X-ray radiation-permeable window configured to emit X-ray radiation from a second plurality of spots located 1 cm from a second edge of said second window; and

a second bonded connection between said second window and said second vacuum bell.

2. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said X-ray radiation-permeable window and said second X-ray radiation-permeable window are in contact with each other.

3. A computed tomography X-ray imaging system for imaging a human patient comprising:

a plurality of stationary X-ray sources forming a ring for producing X-ray radiation;

a rotating X-ray detector positioned within said ring for measuring amount of said X-ray radiation passing through said human patient and striking said detector;

a stationary collimator located between said plurality of X-ray sources and said human patient;

a rotating collimator located between said plurality of X-ray sources and said human patient with a plurality of slots.

4. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises at least ten slots.

5. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises between 10 and 50 slots.

6. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein said rotating slot collimator spans an arc between 60 and 160 degrees.

7. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises metal rings.

8. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 further comprising:

cooling water coupled to an X-ray target for removing heat generated by said X-ray target.

9. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein said stationary collimator ring further comprises at least ten slots perpendicular to said plurality of slots.

10. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 further comprising a sensor for monitoring velocity of said rotating collimator.

11. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 3 wherein said plurality of X-ray sources can be operated at full power for at least one hour.

12. A method of aligning an X-ray beam in an X-ray imaging system comprising:

establishing a position of said X-ray beam with respect to a moving collimator at a plurality of time points;

monitoring velocity of said collimator;

navigating said X-ray beam to a calculated position of a hole in said collimator; and

correcting alignment of said X-ray beam based on location of said X-ray beam on said detector.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

aborting said X-ray beam if said X-ray beam is not aligned.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

determining centroid position of said X-ray beam on said detector; and

comparing said centroid position with a calculated centroid position for said X-ray beam.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

calculating position of said detector based on said velocity and an initial position of said collimator.