Abstract: An X-ray source system for a CT scanner includes a plurality of X-ray sources, wherein each X-ray source of the plurality is provided with a cathode from which an electron beam is emitted, an anode to receive the electron beam and at least one grid electrode, wherein the grid electrodes are configured to selectably block radiation from said X-ray sources; a high voltage generator for applying voltage to the plurality of X-ray sources, wherein each of the plurality of X-ray sources are configured to present substantially the same load to the high voltage generator; a grid modulator configured to apply voltage to grid electrodes of each of the plurality of X-ray sources in turn; and a controller for controlling the grid modulator so that only one of the plurality of X-ray sources emits radiation at any one time.

Abstract: A CT scanner comprises at least one cone beam x-ray source assembly mounted on a gantry frame, the gantry frame rotatable about a rotation axis, the x-ray source assembly operable to emit a cone beam at an orientation with respect to the rotation axis, and a controller operable to adjust an orientation of the cone beam during a rotation cycle of the gantry, wherein the controller adjusts the orientation to radiate a substantially same volume of interest over the rotation cycle.

Abstract: Apparatus for CT cone beam scanning, comprising: a table for holding a subject; a gantry; a first detector array, having a given number of rows of detector elements spaced along an rotation axis of the gantry, mounted on the gantry; a first plurality of x-ray sources mounted on the gantry for rotation about the patient table on a rotation axis, the number of rows being at least twice the number of sources; and a controller that acquires data responsive to radiation from the sources from the detector array attenuated by at least part of the common volume of the subject irradiated by the plurality of radiation sources.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for optimally positioning a region of interest of a subject for imaging by a CT scanner. The scanner provides a source of one or more X-ray beams, at least one of which is used for acquiring a CT image of the subject, a movable support for the subject, and a controller that controls the X-ray source. To position the region of interest of the subject, the controller operates to illuminate the subject with X-rays to acquire stereo image data for the region of interest and controls the position of the support responsive to the stereo image data.

Abstract: A CT scanner comprising: a rotor rotatable about an axis of rotation: an X-ray source mounted to the rotor having a focal spot from which an X-ray beam emanates; an X-ray detector array comprising a plurality of X-ray detectors for detecting X-rays in the X-ray beam; wherein the detector array has at least one high resolution region in which detectors have a high packing density and at least one low resolution region in which detectors have a low packing density and are separated by X-ray insensitive regions substantially larger than insensitive regions resulting from septa between detectors that function to reduce detector cross talk.

Abstract: A method for calibration of a CT scanner having an x-ray source and a detector having an axial extent in the scanner, the source being rotatable about an epicenter between the source and detector, the method comprising: sequentially positioning a phantom having a non-circular cross section and a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a plurality of positions between the X ray source and detector array of said CT scanner or sequentially positioning a plurality of phantoms each having a non-circular cross section and a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a plurality of positions between the X ray source and detector array of said CT scanner; or sequentially positioning a same phantom having a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a plurality of positions between the X ray source and detector array of said CT scanner or sequentially positioning a plurality of essentially similar phantoms and a length commensurate with the extent of the detector at a pluralit

Abstract: An X-ray tube system comprising: at least one filament adapted to produce two electron beams when electrified; at least two anodes spaced from each other along a first direction that each comprises a face that receives an electron beams from the at least one filament at a focal point and produces x-ray cone beams responsive thereto, the x-ray beams being directed in a same direction perpendicular to the first direction; a collimator that collimates the cone beams such that the beams are asymmetric, with the side of each beam distal from the other beam having a smaller beam angle than the side proximal to the other beam.

Abstract: A CT scanner includes a first X-ray beam source, and a second X-ray beam source. With such an apparatus, first source is used to monitor buildup of an injected contrast agent in a selected region of interest relative to a patient and at least the second source is used to perform diagnostic scanning when the buildup of the contrast agent reaches a desired level.