Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An x-ray tube, comprising: (a) a vacuum enclosure having an electron source and a target anode disposed therein, said target anode having a target surface positioned to receive electrons emitted by said electron source; and  (b) a window mounted in said vacuum enclosure proximate to at least said target anode so that at least some x-rays produced as a result of said electrons striking said target surface pass through said window, and said window having a plurality of extended surfaces so that a coolant contacting said plurality of extended surfaces absorbs at least some heat dissipated by at least said window. 2. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum enclosure comprises a plurality of extended surfaces. claim 1 3. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and having mounted therein a compensating window, said compensating window cooperating with said extended surfaces of said window to define at least one flow passage capable of admitting at least a portion of said coolant so that said coolant absorbs at least some heat dissipated by at least said window. claim 1 4. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and having mounted therein a compensating window disposed substantially proximate to said window and having an x-ray absorption coefficient value substantially equal to an x-ray absorption coefficient value of said window so that x-rays emitted from said compensating window are of substantially uniform intensity. claim 1 5. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of extended surfaces comprise a plurality of fins. claim 1 6. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of extended surfaces are disposed in a plane substantially parallel to a computerized tomography slice produced by the x-ray tube. claim 1 7. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said vacuum enclosure substantially comprises copper. claim 1 8. A cooling system for use in conjunction with an x-ray tube and an x-ray tube vacuum enclosure, comprising: (a) a reservoir containing coolant in which the vacuum enclosure of the x-ray tube is at least partially immersed;  (b) an external cooling unit continuously circulating said coolant through said reservoir; and  (b) a window mounted in said vacuum enclosure, said window having a plurality of extended surfaces in contact with said coolant so that said coolant absorbs at least some heat dissipated by at least said window. 9. The cooling system as recited in  claim 8 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and having mounted therein a compensating window, said compensating window cooperating with said extended surfaces of said window to define at least one fluid passageway capable of admitting at least a portion of said coolant so that said coolant absorbs at least some heat dissipated by at least said window. claim 8 10. The cooling system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein at least a portion of coolant exiting said external cooling unit is diverted initially to said fluid passageway. claim 9 11. The cooling system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of extended surfaces disposed on said compensating window, said plurality of extended surfaces disposed on said compensating window cooperating with said extended surfaces of said window to define said fluid passageway. claim 9 12. The cooling system as recited in  claim 9 , further comprising a fluid passageway defined by said cooling plenum, said fluid passageway defined by said cooling plenum being in fluid communication with said fluid passageway cooperatively defined by said compensating window and said extended surfaces of said window. claim 9 13. The cooling system as recited in  claim 9 , wherein said coolant comprises a dielectric oil. claim 9 14. A method for cooling an x-ray tube, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a plurality of extended surfaces in a window of the x-ray tube;  (b) placing a coolant in contact with said plurality of extended surfaces so that said coolant absorbs at least some heat dissipated by said window;  (c) removing at least some heat from said coolant; and  (d) repeating steps (b) and (c). 15. The method according to  claim 14 , wherein said step of placing said coolant in contact with said extended surfaces comprises passing a flow of said coolant into contact with said extended surfaces. claim 14 16. The method according to  claim 15 , further comprising the step of defining a fluid passageway substantially proximate to said extended surfaces of said window, said fluid passageway directing said flow of said coolant into contact with said extended surfaces. claim 15 17. The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said step of removing at least some heat from said coolant occurs after said flow of coolant is discharged from said fluid passageway. claim 16 18. The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of placing at least a portion of said coolant discharged from said flow passageway in contact with the x-ray tube so that said at least a portion of said coolant absorbs at least some heat dissipated by the x-ray tube. claim 16 19. A window suitable for use in an x-ray device that includes an x-ray tube in contact with a coolant, the x-ray tube comprising a vacuum enclosure having an electron source and target anode disposed therein, and the target anode having a target surface positioned to receive electrons from the electron source so as to produce x-rays, wherein the window is configured to be mounted in the vacuum enclosure proximate to the target surface so that at least some of the x-rays pass through the window, the window comprising: (a) a body; and  (b) a plurality of extended surfaces attached to said body, at least one of which is arranged for contact with the coolant. 20. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of extended surfaces are integral with said body. claim 19 21. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said plurality of extended surfaces comprise a plurality of fins, a slot being interposed between succeeding fins. claim 19 22. The window as recited in  claim 21 , wherein a sum comprising a width of two fins added to a width of two slots is less than a minimum resolving power of the x-ray device. claim 21 23. The window as recited in  claim 21 , wherein a width of each of said plurality of slots is substantially equal to a width of each of said plurality of said fins. claim 21 24. The window as recited in  claim 21 , wherein each of said plurality of fins and said plurality of slots has a width greater than a minimum resolving power of the x-ray device. claim 21 25. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said window comprises beryllium. claim 19 26. The window as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising an attenuator disposed at an end of each extended surface so that x-rays emitted through said window are of substantially uniform intensity. claim 19 27. The window as recited in  claim 26 , wherein said attenuators comprise copper and said window comprises beryllium. claim 26 28. The window as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising an attenuator disposed in a bottom of each slot defined between adjacent extended surfaces so that x-rays emitted through said window are of substantially uniform intensity. claim 19 29. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said extended surfaces are disposed in a plane substantially parallel to a computerized tomography slice produced by the x-ray device. claim 19 30. The window as recited in  claim 19 , further comprising a clear area through which a useful beam portion of x-rays produced by the x-ray device pass. claim 19 31. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said window substantially comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: beryllium, titanium, nickel, carbon, silicon, and aluminum. claim 1 32. The x-ray tube as recited in  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said plurality of extended surfaces includes first and second portions, said first portion having a different x-ray absorption coefficient than said second portion. claim 1 33. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and including a compensating window, said compensating window having a plurality of extended surfaces, at least one of which is at least partially received within a corresponding recess defined by said plurality of extended surfaces of said window. claim 1 34. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said window comprises at least first and second portions, said first portion having a different x-ray absorption coefficient than said second portion. claim 19 35. The window as recited in  claim 34 , wherein said first portion comprises a bottom of a slot cooperatively defined by a pair of adjacent extended surfaces, and said second portion comprises a part of at least one of said pair of adjacent extended surfaces. claim 34 36. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein said window substantially comprises a material selected from the group consisting of: beryllium, titanium, nickel, carbon, silicon, and aluminum. claim 19 37. The window as recited in  claim 19 , wherein at least one of said plurality of extended surfaces includes first and second portions, said first portion having a different x-ray absorption coefficient than said second portion. claim 19 38. An x-ray device, comprising: (a) a reservoir containing a volume of coolant;  (b) a vacuum enclosure at least partially immersed in said volume of coolant, said vacuum enclosure having an electron source and a target anode disposed therein, said target anode including a target surface positioned to receive electrons emitted by said electron source; and  (c) a window mounted in said vacuum enclosure proximate to said target anode, said window including a plurality of extended surfaces, at least one of which is in contact with said coolant. 39. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said vacuum enclosure includes a plurality of extended surfaces. claim 38 40. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 39 , wherein at least one of said plurality of extended surfaces of said vacuum enclosure is in contact with said coolant. claim 39 41. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 38 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and including a compensating window, said compensating window cooperating with said extended surfaces of said window to define at least one flow passage in fluid communication with said reservoir. claim 38 42. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 38 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and including a compensating window disposed proximate to said window, and said compensating window having an x-ray absorption coefficient value substantially equal to an x-ray absorption coefficient value of said window. claim 38 43. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 38 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and including a compensating window, said compensating window including a plurality of extended surfaces, at least one of which is at least partially received within a corresponding recess defined by said plurality of extended surfaces of said window. claim 38 44. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 38 , wherein said window includes at least first and second portions, said first portion having a different x-ray absorption coefficient than said second portion. claim 38 45. The x-ray device as recited in  claim 38 , wherein at least one of said plurality of extended surfaces includes first and second portions, said first portion having a different x-ray absorption coefficient than said second portion. claim 38 46. A cooling system suitable for use in conjunction with an x-ray device that includes an x-ray tube vacuum enclosure, the cooling system comprising: (a) a reservoir containing a volume of coolant so that when the vacuum enclosure is received in said reservoir, the vacuum enclosure is at least partially immersed in said coolant;  (b) an external cooling unit in fluid communication with said reservoir; and  (c) a window mounted in said vacuum enclosure, said window having a plurality of extended surfaces, at least one of which is in contact with said coolant when the vacuum enclosure is received in said reservoir. 47. The cooling system as recited in  claim 46 , further comprising a cooling plenum joined to said vacuum enclosure and cooperating with said window to define at least one fluid passageway configured for fluid communication with said external cooling unit. claim 46 48. The cooling system as recited in  claim 47 , wherein at least a portion of said cooling plenum is in contact with said coolant contained in said reservoir when the vacuum enclosure is received in said reservoir. claim 47 49. The cooling system as recited in  claim 47 , wherein said cooling plenum includes a compensating window disposed proximate said window and cooperating with said window to define said at least one fluid passageway. claim 47 50. The cooling system as recited in  claim 49 , wherein said compensating window includes a plurality of extended surfaces, at least one of which is in contact with said coolant. claim 49 51. The cooling system as recited in  claim 50 , wherein at least one of said plurality of extended surfaces of said compensating window is at least partially received within a corresponding recess defined by said plurality of extended surfaces of said window. claim 50