System and method for improved field of view X-ray imaging using a non-stationary anode

• US 7,529,343 B2
• Filed: 05/03/2007
• Issued: 05/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Georgeson, Gary E., Safai, Morteza, Edwards, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): SONG, HOON K
• Application Number:
  US11/744,115
• Publication Number:
  US 20070269014A1
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 378/125, 378/57, 378/4, 378/144, 378 86- 87
• US Class Current: 378/125
• CPC Class Codes: G21K 1/043 changing time structure of beams by mechanical means, e.g. choppers, spinning filter wheels
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 35/10 Rotary anodes; Arrangements for rotating anodes; Cooling rotary anodes

Abstract

An X-ray imaging system is provided which includes an X-ray tube including, a cathode for emitting electrons; and a dynamic anode. The dynamic anode receives the electrons from the cathode and generates an X-ray beam that is non-stationary. The dynamic anode rotates between a first position where the X-ray beam is directed at a first location on an object and a second position where the X-ray beam is directed at a second location on the object to generate the non-stationary beam.

Claims

1. An X-ray imaging system, comprising:

an X-ray tube including;

a cathode for emitting electrons; and

an anode configured to receive the electrons from the cathode and to generate an X-ray beam;

wherein the anode is rotatable about an axis such that rotation of the anode about the axis induces a sweeping movement of the X-ray beam across an object under examination; and

further wherein the anode is configured to oscillate continuously about the axis between endpoints of oscillation to generate an X-ray fan area.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the anode rotates about the axis at a rate of between about 5 and 25 revs/sec.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the anode comprises a single component having a plurality of facets configured to change an angle of incidence of the electrons upon the anode as the anode rotates.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the anode is further configured to change an X-ray beam lobe and curved scanned range of the system as the anode rotates.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a collimator configured to rotate about the axis, wherein rotation of the collimator is linked to rotation of the anode.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the X-ray beam generated by the rotatable anode is continuously directed toward an aperture defined on the rotating collimator as the rotating collimator moves from a first location to a second location.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the X-ray tube comprises a continuous circumferential window for allowing the non-stationary X-ray beam to generate a swath that substantially reaches 360°

.

8. A method for backscatter X-ray imaging, comprising:

in an X-ray tube, emitting electrons from a cathode;

receiving the electrons from the cathode at an anode and generating an X-ray beam emanating from the anode;

rotating the anode about an axis between a first position where the X-ray beam is directed at a first location on an object under examination and a second position where the X-ray beam is directed at a second location on the object, thereby inducing a sweeping movement of the X-ray beam across the object;

oscillating the anode continuously about the axis between endpoints of oscillation to generate an X-ray fan area;

backscattering X-rays in the X-ray beam from the object;

detecting the backscattered X-rays; and

generating an image of the object from the detected backscattered X-rays.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising rotating a collimator around the axis and around the X-ray tube, the collimator having an aperture for allowing a portion of the X-ray beam to be emitted therethrough.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising rotating the collimator around the axis and around the X-ray tube, wherein rotation of the collimator is linked to rotation of the rotatable anode.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the X-ray tube comprises a continuous circumferential window in which the rotatable anode can be rotated substantially 360°

.

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the rotatable anode comprises a single component having a plurality of facets configured to change an angle of incidence of the electrons upon the anode as the anode rotates.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising continuously directing the X-ray beam generated by the anode toward an aperture defined on the rotating collimator as the rotating collimator moves from the first location to the second location.