X-Ray Tube with Distributed Filaments

An x-ray generator, comprising:

• (a) an elongated linear x-ray tube, having a center, that is substantially transparent to x-rays and that defines a vacuum therein, the x-ray tube having a circular cross section;
• (b) a cathode that includes an elongated rod that extends along the center of the elongated tube and that defines a plurality of spaced apart cavities;
• (c) an anode spaced apart from the cathode and including a material that emits x-rays when impacted by electrons and the anode having an arcuate cross section that is less than 180°;
• (d) a plurality of filaments, each of the plurality of filaments disposed in a different one of the cavities defined by the cathode and each of the plurality of filaments electrically coupled to a common electrical connection, so that each of the plurality of filaments emits a focused electron beam directed to a different predetermined spot on the anode simultaneously upon application of a first predetermined voltage between the cathode and the anode and a second predetermined voltage across the common electrical connection, thereby causing the anode to generate x-rays.

An x-ray generator, comprising:

• (a) a toroidal x-ray tube, having a center, that is substantially transparent to x-rays and that defines a vacuum therein, the x-ray tube having a circular cross section;
• (b) a circular cathode disposed along the center of the toroidal x-ray tube that defines a plurality of spaced apart cavities;
• (c) an anode spaced apart from the cathode and including a material that emits x-rays when impacted by electrons and the anode having an arcuate cross section that is less than 180°;
• and
• (d) a plurality of filaments, each of the plurality of filaments disposed in a different one of the cavities defined by the cathode along a circular line running on one side of the circular structure and each of the plurality of filaments electrically coupled to a common electrical connection, each of the plurality of filaments configured to emit a focused electron beam directed to a different predetermined spot on the anode simultaneously upon application of a first predetermined voltage between the cathode and the anode and a second predetermined voltage across the common electrical connection, thereby causing the anode to generate x-rays.