System and method for multi-source X-ray-based imaging

An imaging system comprising:

• a platform for receiving a subject to be imaged using the imaging system;
• a source module arranged to deliver a beam of ionizing radiation to the subject, the source module comprising:
• a vacuum chamber;
• a plurality of cathodes and respective gates, each cathode configured to generate a separate beam of electrons directed across the vacuum chamber and each gate matched to at least one respective cathode to enable and disable each separate beam of electrons from being directed across the vacuum chamber;
• a target anode arranged to receive the separate beam of electrons from each of the plurality of cathodes and, therefrom, generate the beam of ionizing radiation;
• a deflection system arranged between the plurality of cathodes and the target anode to generate a variable magnetic field to control a path followed by each of the separate beams of electrons to the target anode;
• a controller configured to control operation of the plurality of cathodes and respective gates to selectively enable and disable each separate beam of electrons from being directed across the vacuum chamber and control operation of the deflection system to change the path followed by each of the separate beam of electrons to the target anode based on at least one of a heating of the target anode caused by the beam of electrons and a view angle of the subject to be achieved using the ionizing radiation;
• and
• wherein the target anode is an elongated pane having a tapered surface that directs the ionizing radiation away from the target anode toward the subject and generally orthogonally to the path followed by each of the separate beams of electrons to the target anode.

An imaging system comprising:

• a bore for receiving a subject to be imaged using the imaging system;
• a plurality of source modules arranged about the bore to deliver a beam of x-rays to a subject to be imaged, each source module comprising:
• a vacuum chamber;
• a plurality of cathodes and respective gates, each cathode configured to generate a separate beam of electrons directed across the vacuum chamber and each gate matched to at least one respective cathode to enable and disable each separate beam of electrons from being directed across the vacuum chamber;
• a target anode arranged to receive the separate beam of electrons from each of the plurality of cathodes and, therefrom, generate the beam of x-rays;
• a deflection system arranged between the plurality of cathodes and the target anode to generate a variable magnetic field to control a path followed by each of the separate beams of electrons to the target anode;
• a controller configured to control operation of the plurality of cathodes and respective gates to selectively enable and disable each separate beam of electrons from being directed across the vacuum chamber and control operation of the deflection system to change the path followed by each of the separate beam of electrons to the target anode based on a heating of the target anode caused by the beam of electrons;
• and
• a plurality of detectors arranged in opposition to a respective one of the plurality of source modules across the bore to receive the beam of x-rays and assembled medical imaging data based thereon.

A source module for generating x-rays comprising:

• a vacuum chamber;
• a plurality of cathodes and respective gates, each cathode configured to generate a separate beam of electrons directed across the vacuum chamber and each gate matched to at least one respective cathode to enable and disable each separate beam of electrons from being directed across the vacuum chamber;
• a stationary target anode fixed within the vacuum chamber and arranged to receive the separate beam of electrons from each of the plurality of cathodes and, therefrom, generate a beam of x-rays;
• and
• a deflection system arranged between the plurality of cathodes and the stationary target anode to generate a variable magnetic field to control a path followed by each of the separate beams of electrons to the stationary target anode to selectively sweep across the stationary target anode and, thereby, change a point of impact of each separate beam of electrons with the stationary target anode and change a location of the beam of x-rays generated.

A source module for generating x-rays comprising:

• a vacuum chamber;
• a plurality of cathodes and respective gates, each cathode configured to generate a separate beam of electrons directed across the vacuum chamber and each gate matched to at least one respective cathode to enable and disable each separate beam of electrons from being directed across the vacuum chamber;
• a target anode fixed within the vacuum chamber and arranged to receive the separate beam of electrons from each of the plurality of cathodes and, therefrom, generate a beam of x-rays;
• and
• a deflection system arranged between the plurality of cathodes and the target anode to generate a variable magnetic field to control a path followed by each of the separate beams of electrons to the target anode to selectively sweep across the target anode and, thereby, change a point of impact of each separate beam of electrons with the target anode and change a location of the beam of x-rays generated;
• and
• wherein the target anode forms an elongated pane or an arcuate pane having a tapered surface that directs the beam of x-rays away from the target anode and generally orthogonally to the path followed by each of the separate beams of electrons to the target anode.