# US 10,478,137 B2 · Multiple imaging modality imaging apparatus

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- Number: US 10,478,137 B2
- Document ID: US10478137B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/390,530
- Filed: 2013-04-08
- Published: 2015-04-02
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2012-04-23
- Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
- Inventors: Jinling Liu; Steven John Plummer; Dawn Barile; Krassimir Todorov Krastev; Johannes Balthasar Maria Soetens
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10478137B2

## CPC

- A61B 6/4417: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities}
- A61B 5/0035: {adapted for acquisition of images from more than one imaging mode, e.g. combining MRI and optical tomography}
- A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]}
- A61B 6/035: {Mechanical aspects of CT}
- A61B 6/037: {Emission tomography}
- A61B 6/5235: {combining images from the same or different ionising radiation imaging techniques, e.g. PET and CT}
- A61B 8/13: Tomography (A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence)
- A61B 8/4416: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions}
- A61B 6/0407: {Supports, e.g. tables or beds, for the body or parts of the body}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)

## Abstract

An imaging apparatus includes a first imaging modality (1021), a second imaging modality (1022), wherein the first and second imaging modalities are in alignment with scanning zones for scanning an object or subject, and a third imaging modality (102N) which is selectively moveable between a first location (114) in which the third imaging modality is in alignment with the scanning zones for scanning the object or subject and a second location (122) in which the third imaging modality is outside of alignment with the scanning zones.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An imaging apparatus, comprising:
a first imaging modality;
a second imaging modality, wherein the first and second imaging modalities are in alignment with scanning zones for scanning an object or subject;
a third imaging modality which is selectively moveable between a first location in which the third imaging modality is in alignment with the scanning zones for scanning the object or subject and a second location in which the third imaging modality is outside of alignment with the scanning zones; and
an alignment unit that supports the third imaging modality, wherein the alignment unit provides adjustment of at least of a position or orientation of third imaging modality with respect to the scanning zones and provides angular variation in rotation around X and Z axes.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first, second and third modalities are different imaging modalities.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least two of the first, second and third modalities are a same type of imaging modality.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the third imaging modality is positioned at the second location when the imaging apparatus is used for clinical scanning.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The imaging apparatus of claim 3, wherein the third imaging modality is positioned at the first location when the imaging apparatus is used for non-clinical scanning.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third imaging modality is removably affixed to the imaging apparatus and is interchangeable with at least one other imaging modality.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a support that supports the third imaging modality suspended above an examination room floor, wherein the third imaging modality is slideably coupled to the support and slides via the support to the first location.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:
a slide mechanism affixed to at least one of an examination room floor, an examination room ceiling, an examination room wall, or other component, wherein the third imaging modality is slideably coupled to the slide mechanism and slides via the slide mechanism to the first location.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The imaging apparatus of claim 1, wherein the alignment unit provides linear alignment along an Y axis.

### Claim 10

A method, comprising:
moving a first imaging modality alternately between a first location in which the first imaging modality is in alignment with scanning zones of second and third imaging modalities and a second location in which the first imaging modality is outside of alignment with the scanning zones; and
moving the third imaging modality to provide angular variation in rotation around X and Z axes.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein at least two of the first, second and third modalities are different imaging modalities.

### Claim 12 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein at least two of the first, second and third modalities are a same type of imaging modality.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
positioning the first imaging modality at the second location when the imaging apparatus is used for clinical scanning.

### Claim 14 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, further comprising:
positioning the first imaging modality at the first location when the imaging apparatus is used for non-clinical scanning.

### Claim 15 (depends on 10)

The method apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first imaging modality is removably affixed to the imaging apparatus and is interchangeable with at least one other imaging modality.