Abstract: A method for controlling an x-ray source comprises generating an electron beam for striking the target to generate x-rays and steering the electron beam to a desired location on the target using a first and a second steering system distributed along a flight tube. In this way, the beam can be steering to the desired location while also passing through the center of a focusing lens to maintain optimal beam characteristics. Also possible is scanning the electron beam over the target to find a fiducial mark. Then, a desired location can be found as an offset from this mark.

Abstract: An x-ray source includes an optical communications link to provide a galvanically isolated communication between a system controller and a gun controller. In specific examples, the link is provided through one or more fibers. In addition, the gun controller is preferably remote programmed by the system controller during startup. This addresses the problem of reprogramming a processor in a hard to access location/environment. A watchdog timer is also useful for the gun digital processor of the gun controller.

Abstract: The electron beam is typically dynamically steered after its generation on the path to the target. The steering is performed by one or more source coils. These coils produce the magnetic field outside the vacuum vessel allowing air/water/oil cooling to remove undesired heat. The magnetic field is then picked up inside the vacuum vessel with pole pieces and guided towards the region where the magnetic field is needed to steer the electron beam.

Abstract: During operation of a reflection target x-ray source, heat must be removed from many components. The electron beam must be steered to the target and may interact with structures along this path. There is also heat generated in the target itself. This can be excessive, since only a very small percentage of the electron beam's energy is transformed into x-rays. Finally, the x-rays must exit the vacuum through the window, which can also be heated both by the x-rays, reflected electrons, and radiant heat from the target. A water cooled reflective x-ray source provides for water or other fluid cooling of the centering aperture, x-ray target, and/or exit window.

Abstract: During operation of a reflection target x-ray source, heat must be removed from many components. The electron beam must be steered to the target and may interact with structures along this path. There is also heat generated in the target itself. This can be excessive, since only a very small percentage of the electron beam's energy is transformed into x-rays. Finally, the x-rays must exit the vacuum through the window, which can also be heated both by the x-rays, reflected electrons, and radiant heat from the target. A water cooled reflective x-ray source provides for water or other fluid cooling of the centering aperture, x-ray target, and/or exit window.

Abstract: The electron beam is typically dynamically steered after its generation on the path to the target. The steering is performed by one or more source coils. These coils produce the magnetic field outside the vacuum vessel allowing air/water/oil cooling to remove undesired heat. The magnetic field is then picked up inside the vacuum vessel with pole pieces and guided towards the region where the magnetic field is needed to steer the electron beam.

Abstract: An x-ray source has a target assembly including a target, an electron source for generating electrons to impact the target, and a flight tube assembly separating the target assembly from the electron source and transporting a coolant to the target assembly. The flight tube assembly includes a flight tube interface ring, a target cartridge tube, and an electrical isolation ring between the flight tube interface ring and the target cartridge tube.

Abstract: An x-ray source includes an optical communications link to provide a galvanically isolated communication between a system controller and a gun controller. In specific examples, the link is provided through one or more fibers. In addition, the gun controller is preferably remote programmed by the system controller during startup. This addresses the problem of reprogramming a processor in a hard to access location/environment. A watchdog timer is also useful for the gun digital processor of the gun controller.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: An ophthalmic imaging device for improved ophthalmic imaging including: an optical coherence scanning device, a fundus imaging device: an iris viewer; a motorized chin rest; an internal test target, and a fixation target device wherein the optical coherence scanning device, the ophthalmic scanning device, the iris viewer, and the fixation target device all share at least one common optical element. The optical coherence device preferably employs a Mach-Zehnder interferometer with an all fiber reference path; monitoring and attenuating power within the reference path. The multiple devices are separately and in combination aligned with the eye. The system includes internal and external calibration and improved image formats.

Abstract: A line scan imager is used to determine the motion of a subject. Each line of image data from the line scan imager is compared with a reference image. The location of a matching line in the reference image reveals the displacement of the subject. The current subject displacement can be determined based on each line of image data. The resulting displacement information can be used to correctly place other optical beams on the subject. The method can be applied to tracking the human eye to facilitate measurement, imaging, or treatment with a beam of optical radiation.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is a method for providing a local average curvature map of an eye that includes: (a) providing elevation data for points on a corneal surface of the eye; (b) selecting a set of elevation data in a neighborhood of each of a number of points on the corneal surface; (c) fitting a geometric figure at each of the number of points using the set of elevation data in each neighborhood; and (d) determining a curvature relating to the geometric figure at each of the number of points.