Software-Defined X-Ray Imaging
Multi-beam architectures replace mechanical rotation with electronically orchestrated beam control.
Technology Overview
How the Multi-Beam Architecture Works
Multi-beam technology at Room Temperature
The system uses Multi-beam technology instead of thermionic filaments.
Electrons are extracted through quantum tunneling, eliminating heat generation and enabling dense emitter arrays within a single tube.
Pixel-Level Electronic Control
Each emission pixel can be addressed individually and switched within microseconds.
Beam generation is synchronized precisely with detector timing – radiation is produced only when required (X-ray on demand).
Electronic Beam Sequencing
Multiple emitters are activated in rapid succession, replicating and exceeding the effect of a rotating gantry, but without any moving parts.
From Rotation to Control
From Mechanical Constraint to Electronic Architecture
Conventional CT systems are defined by rotation.
A single X-ray tube is mounted on a moving gantry, requiring mass, bearings, cooling and structural support.
Mechanical inertia limits scan dynamics, introduces vibration and motion blur, and increases maintenance complexity.
The multi-beam architecture removes the mechanical dependency entirely.
Scan performance is no longer determined by rotating hardware, but by electronics and software control.
The Multi-Beam Principle
01
Emission
Multi-beam emitters replace thermionic filaments and operate at room temperature.
Electron extraction through quantum tunneling eliminates thermal stress and enables dense emitter arrays within a compact tube architecture.
02
Microsecond Switching
Each emission pixel can be switched within microseconds and synchronized precisely with detector timing.
This enables true pulsed operation and projection-level dose control.
03
Dense Emitter Arrays
Multiple individually addressable Multi-beam emitters are integrated within a single tube architecture.
The compact pixel design enables new static CT geometries without thermal limitations.
Integrated Platform
Stretta Integrated System (SIS)
The multi-beam architecture is not a distributed source concept added to a legacy power architecture.
It is engineered as an integrated platform.
The Stretta Integrated System (SIS) combines:
- Multibeam X-ray Tube
- Electronic Control System (ECS)
- Ultra-fast High Voltage Generator (HVG)
The ECS enables microsecond switching and closed-loop monitoring, allowing emitter-level addressing and projection-specific dose control.
The HVG is designed for rapid load dynamics and high switching frequencies, ensuring stable high voltage output under pulsed operation.
Source, control and high voltage are co-designed as one architecture, not retrofitted components.
System Impact
Engineering New CT Possibilities
Static & Compact CT Architectures
Elimination of rotational mass enables compact, lightweight and scalable system designs.
Portable Head & Full-Body Concepts
Compact static gantries support mobile stroke care and bedside imaging applications.
Real-Time Intraoperative Imaging
Electronic beam sequencing enables real-time imaging for hybrid operating rooms.
Dose Reduction by Design
True pulsed emission minimizes unnecessary x-ray patient exposure during detector readout phases and especially unnecessary x-ray patient exposure not contributing to image reconstruction.
Engineering the Electronic Future of CT
Multi-beam platform technology is designed for OEM integration across medical, security and industrial systems.
From hardware-defined motion to software-defined beam control.
Prototype multi-beam tubes have already been delivered and quality-accepted by a top-tier OEM for airport baggage CT applications.
In the medical domain, a portable stationary CT collaboration has been formalized through a Letter of Intent with a leading global CT manufacturer.
Functional demonstrators for static digital breast tomosynthesis have been successfully evaluated by specialized partners.
The platform is engineered for productization, not laboratory demonstration.