X-ray scanning system

1. A method of generating a stereo image of an object that is positioned within an imaging volume comprising:

positioning the object within the imaging volume;

selecting a first stationary X-ray source point;

selecting a second stationary X-ray source point having a predetermined angle from the first stationary X-ray source point, wherein said angle is determined based upon a size of the object being scanned;

activating the first stationary X-ray source point while the object remains stationary;

detecting X-rays transmitted through the object being scanned using a first detector element positioned across the imaging volume and opposite the first stationary X-ray source point;

activating the second stationary X-ray source point while the object remains stationary;

detecting X-rays transmitted through the object being scanned using a second detector element positioned across the imaging volume and opposite the second stationary X-ray source point;

generating a first image data set from the X-rays detected by the first detector element;

generating a second image data set from the X-rays detected by the second detector element; and

combining the first image data set and second image data set to produce the stereo image.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein X-rays from each of said first and second X-ray source points is generated by a single stationary X-ray source comprising an anode.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the first detector element and second detector element are part of a detector array, wherein said detector array comprises a plurality of rings of detector elements and wherein each of said plurality of rings encompasses a portion of said imaging volume.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of rings has a length parallel to a central axis of the imaging volume, wherein the central axis has a length, and wherein the length of the central axis is greater than the length of each one of said plurality of rings.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the first detector element is part of a detector array and wherein the first X-ray source point is positioned behind a portion of said detector array.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the second detector element is part of a detector array and wherein the second X-ray source point is positioned behind a portion of said detector array.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein X-rays transmitted from the first stationary X-ray source point pass through a first collimating slot prior to entering the imaging volume.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein X-rays transmitted from the second stationary X-ray source point pass through a second collimating slot prior to entering the imaging volume.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein each of said first collimating slot and second collimating slot are formed in a detector array positioned between the first X-ray source point and the imaging volume and positioned between the second X-ray source point and the imaging volume.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein each of said first collimating slot and second collimating slot are part of the same slot extending a length of a central axis of the imaging volume.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the slot extending a length of a central axis of the imaging volume has a helical shape.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the slot extending a length of a central axis of the imaging volume comprises a plurality of stepped loci.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein the slot extending a length of a central axis of the imaging volume forms a three-dimensional locus around the imaging volume.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said locus passes through substantially every plane of the imaging volume.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a controller for scanning the imaging volume by activating each of the source points.