title: Distributed source x-ray tube technology for tomosynthesis imaging.
abstract: Tomosynthesis imaging requires projection images from different viewing angles. Conventional systems use a moving xray source to acquire the individual projections. Using a stationary distributed x-ray source with a number of sources that equals the number of required projections, this can be achieved without any mechanical motion. Advantages are a potentially faster image acquisition speed, higher spatial and temporal resolution and simple system design. We present distributed x-ray sources based on carbon nanotube (CNT) field emission cathodes. The field emission cathodes deliver the electrons required for x-ray production. CNT emitters feature a stable emission at high current density, a cold emission, excellent temporal control of the emitted electrons and good configurability. We discuss the use of stationary sources for two applications: (i) a linear tube for stationary digital breast tomosynthesis (sDBT), and (ii) a square tube for on-board tomosynthesis image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT). Results from high energy distributed sources up to 160kVp are also presented.
authors.affiliation: XinRay Systems LLC, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sprenger
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Calderon-Colon
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Englestad
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maltz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paidi
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Spronk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sultana
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zhou