Patent ID: 7634045

Claim:
A fifth generation x-ray computed tomography system comprising: a stationary anode ring selected from the group consisting of a complete anode ring proceeding concentrically around a system axis and a partial anode ring extending concentrically around the system axis; an electron beam generator that generates at least one electron beam that strikes said anode ring successively at a number of focused positions to cause x-ray radiation to be emitted at each of said focus positions; a stationary detector ring selected from the group consisting of a complete detector ring extending concentrically around the system axis and a partial detector ring extending concentrically around the system axis, comprising a number of detector elements forming at least one detector row to detect said x-ray radiation; a rotatable support frame mounted for rotation around said system axis; and at least two sets of x-ray radiation-influencing components, selected from the group consisting of x-ray filters and a beam collimator, said number of sets of x-ray radiation-influencing components being mounted on said support frame at respective positions on said support frame with an angular offset therebetween, adjacent to said focus positions, said support frame being rotatable to position said number of sets of x-ray radiation-influencing components relative to said focus positions to cause said number of sets of x-ray radiation-influencing components to interact with and modify said x-ray radiation between said focus positions and said detector ring.