Patent ID: 7778382

Claim:
A method of scanning a patient, said method comprising the steps of (a) establishing a first electron-accelerating voltage potential between a first cathode and an anode; (b) establishing a second electron-accelerating voltage potential between a second cathode and said anode; (c) emitting a first plurality of electrons from said first cathode and toward said anode so that said first plurality of electrons impinge on said anode and thereby generate a first x-ray beam; (d) emitting a second plurality of electrons from said second cathode and toward said anode so that said second plurality of electrons impinge on said anode and thereby generate a second x-ray beam; (e) directing first x-ray beam and said second x-ray beam in alternating pulses through a filter device so as to form an alternating pulse composite x-ray beam; (f) directing said alternating pulse composite x-ray beam through said patient and thereafter receiving said alternating pulse composite x-ray beam with a detector so as to accordingly generate x-ray signals; and (g) generating an x-ray image in response to said x-ray signals; wherein said first electron-accelerating voltage potential has a characteristic first kilovolt peak, said second electron-accelerating voltage potential has a characteristic second kilovolt peak, and said second kilovolt peak is different from said first kilovolt peak.