An imaging system and method combines a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system
and an x-ray fluoroscopy system such that the two systems have coincident fields
of view. X-rays are generated by a stationary anode x-ray tube in which an electron
beam is accelerated from a cathode to an anode. In the presence of the static magnetic
field of the MRI system, the electron beam is deflected unless it is parallel to
the static magnetic field. The x-ray source of the invention contains elements
used to steer the electron beam and increase its focusing on the anode. The beam
can be steered electrostatically, electromagnetically, or by adding magnetic material
to the x-ray source. In the resulting system, MR and x-ray images are acquired
without moving the object, which is particularly useful for image-guided medical
intervention procedures.