Method and apparatus for advanced X-ray imaging systems
The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method for X-ray imaging a human patient. A vacuum bell bonded to an X-ray radiation-permeable window that can emit X-ray radiation from a plurality of spots located 1 cm from its edge, a collimator, and a detector are used. A ring of stationary X-ray sources can also be used with a stationary collimator and a rotating slot collimator and detector. An X-ray beam can be aligned in an X-ray system by establishing a position of the beam with respect to a moving collimator at a number of points in time, monitoring the velocity of the collimator, navigating the beam to a calculated position of a hole in the collimator, and correcting the alignment of the beam based on the location of the beam on the detector.
1. An X-ray imaging system for imaging an object 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;
a collimator located between said X-ray source and said object for projecting said X-ray radiation through said object;
an X-ray detector for measuring amount of said X-ray radiation passing through said object 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; and
a second X-ray radiation-permeable window configured to emit X-ray radiation from a second plurality of spots.
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. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 wherein said plurality of spots is located less than 1 cm from an edge of said window.
4. The X-ray imaging system of claim 1 further comprising:
a bonded connection between said window and said vacuum bell.
5. The X-ray imaging system of claim 4 wherein said bonded connection is a brazed bond.
6. The X-ray imaging system of claim 4 wherein said bonded connection is an electron beam weld.
7. A computed tomography X-ray imaging system for imaging an object 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 object and striking said detector;
a stationary collimator located between said plurality of X-ray sources and said object;
a rotating collimator located between said plurality of X-ray sources and said object with a plurality of slots.
8. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises at least ten slots.
9. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises between 10 and 50 slots.
10. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said rotating slot collimator spans an arc between 60 and 160 degrees.
11. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises metal rings.
12. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 further comprising:
cooling water coupled to an X-ray target for removing heat generated by said X-ray target.
13. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said stationary collimator further comprises at least ten slots perpendicular to said plurality of slots.
14. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 further comprising a sensor for monitoring velocity of said rotating collimator.
15. The computed tomography X-ray imaging system of claim 7 wherein said plurality of X-ray sources operate at full power for at least one hour.
16. 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;
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.
17. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
aborting said X-ray beam if said X-ray beam is not aligned.
18. The method of claim 16 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.
19. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
monitoring velocity of said collimator.
20. The method of claim 16 further comprising:
calculating position of said detector based on said velocity and an initial position of said collimator.