Described are devices, systems, and methods for modulating the spectral energy distribution produced by an x-ray source via control of the energy of the x-ray-generating electron beam, e.g., for energy-modulated radiation therapy or other purposes. In some embodiments, such energy modulation is achieved by an add-on device to a linear accelerator. Also disclosed are computational methods and computer program products for planning energy-modulated therapy.

Described are devices, systems, and methods for modulating the spectral energy distribution produced by an x-ray source via control of the energy of the x-ray-generating electron beam, e.g., for energy-modulated radiation therapy or other purposes. In some embodiments, such energy modulation is achieved by an add-on device to a linear accelerator. Also disclosed are computational methods and computer program products for planning energy-modulated therapy.

An x-ray emitter includes an x-ray tube and an x-ray emitter housing. In an embodiment, the x-ray tube includes an evacuated x-ray tube housing, a cathode for emitting electrons and an anode for generating x-rays as a function of the electrons. Further, in an embodiment, the x-ray emitter housing includes the x-ray tube and outside of the x-ray tube, a gaseous cooling medium. In an embodiment, the x-ray emitter further includes a compressor for a forced convection of the gaseous cooling medium for cooling the x-ray tube, a pressure ratio between the intake side and pressure side of the compressor being greater than 1.3.

Embodiments provide a stationary X-ray source for a multisource X-ray imaging system for tomographic imaging. The stationary X-ray source includes an array of thermionic cathodes and, in most embodiments a rotating anode. The anode rotates about a rotation axis, however the anode is stationary in the horizontal or vertical dimensions (e.g. about axes perpendicular to the rotation axis). The elimination of mechanical motion improves the image quality by elimination of mechanical vibration and source motion; simplifies system design that reduces system size and cost; increases angular coverage with no increase in scan time; and results in short scan times to, in medical some medical imaging applications, reduce patient-motion-induced blurring.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube device includes a cathode which emits an electron in a direction of an electron path, an anode target which faces the cathode and includes a target surface generating an X-ray, a vacuum envelope which accommodates the cathode and the anode target and is sealed in a vacuum-tight manner, and a quadrupole magnetic field generation unit which forms a magnetic field when direct current is supplied from an electric source, is eccentrically provided with respect to a straight line accordance with the electron path outside the vacuum envelope, and includes a quadrupole surrounding a circumference of a part of the electron path.

The embodiments relate to a CT system with a stationary part and a rotatable part, which is supported rotatably in the stationary part. At least one x-ray tube unit cooled by a cooling fluid, an x-ray detector lying opposite the x-ray tube unit, and a cooling device coupled in terms of fluid technology to the x-ray tube unit via a coolant circuit are disposed in the rotatable part. A cooling air channel, through which cooling air is able to be fed into the rotatable part, and an exhaust air channel, through which heated exhaust air is able to be taken away from the rotatable part, are disposed in the stationary part. In accordance with the embodiments, at least one overpressure relief valve is disposed in the coolant circuit, through which the cooling fluid is able to be conveyed away in the exhaust air channel.

According to one embodiment, an X-ray tube assembly includes a cathode, an anode target, a joint including an inflow part into which a coolant flows, a first cylindrical pipe to which the joint is connected at one end, and the anode target is joined at an outer bottom part of the other end, a second cylindrical pipe whose first end part is fitted into the inflow part, and whose second end part is arranged to eject the coolant toward the bottom part of the first cylindrical pipe, the second cylindrical pipe being placed inside the first cylindrical pipe and an elastic member provided between the first end part and the first cylindrical pipe.

An X-ray tube includes a cathode and an anode. The cathode is configured to generate an electron beam. The anode has at least one hole that faces the electron beam, the hole having sidewalls and a floor. The electron beam impinges on one or more of the sidewalls of the at least one hole so as to emit a first X-ray beam at angles that are not orthogonal to a surface of the anode. The electron beam also impinges on the floor of the at least one hole so as to emit a second X-ray beam, at least some of which is emitted at an angle that is orthogonal to the surface of the anode.

A radiation emission device is provided. The radiation emission device may include a cathode configured to emit an electron beam and an anode configured to rotate on a shaft. The anode may be situated to receive the electron beam from the cathode. The radiation emission device may further include a rotor configured to drive the anode to rotate. The rotor may be mechanically connected to the shaft. The radiation emission device may further include a sleeve configured to support the shaft via at least one bearing. The cathode, the anode, and the rotor may be enclosed in an enclosure that is connected to the sleeve. At least a portion of the sleeve may reside outside the enclosure.

A radiation emission device is provided. The radiation emission device may include a cathode configured to emit an electron beam and an anode configured to rotate on a shaft. The anode may be situated to receive the electron beam from the cathode. The radiation emission device may further include a rotor configured to drive the anode to rotate. The rotor may be mechanically connected to the shaft. The radiation emission device may further include a sleeve configured to support the shaft via at least one bearing. The cathode, the anode, and the rotor may be enclosed in an enclosure that is connected to the sleeve. At least a portion of the sleeve may reside outside the enclosure.