Multi-layered articulating patient support for a medical imaging system and a control system thereof

A medical imaging system, comprising:

• a gantry having a bore and coupled to imaging components configured to acquire imaging data of a subject;
• and
• a patient table integrated with the gantry, comprising:
• a multi-layered patient support comprising a top patient support configured to articulate and a bottom patient support, wherein the multi-layered patient support is configured to support the subject to be imaged, wherein the top patient support is configured to automatically move between a first configuration where the top patient support is flat and horizontal to support the subject in a recumbent position and a second configuration where the top patient support is in an upright-chair configuration to support the subject in an upright seated position, and wherein the bottom patient support is configured to physically engage the top patient support in the first configuration, and the bottom patient support is configured to be physically disengaged from the top patient support in the second configuration;
• and
• a platform, wherein the platform is coupled to and supports both the top patient support and the bottom patient support of the multi-layered patient support, and wherein the platform is configured to move the multi-layered patient support into and out of the bore of the gantry of the medical imaging system for an imaging procedure performed on the subject.

A medical imaging system, comprising:

• a gantry having a bore and coupled to imaging components configured to acquire imaging data of a subject;
• and
• a patient table integrated with the gantry comprising:
• a multi-layered patient support comprising a top patient support configured to articulate and a bottom patient support, wherein the multi-layered patient support is configured to support the subject to be imaged, wherein the top patient support is configured to automatically move between a first configuration where the top patient support is flat and horizontal to support the subject in a recumbent position and a second configuration where the top patient support is in an upright-chair configuration to support the subject in an upright seated position, and wherein the bottom patient support is configured to physically engage the top patient support in the first configuration, and the bottom patient support is configured to be physically disengaged from the top patient support in the second configuration;
• a platform, wherein the platform is coupled to and supports both the top patient support and the bottom patient support of the multi-layered patient support, and wherein the platform is configured to move the multi-layered patient support into and out of the bore of the gantry of the medical imaging system for an imaging procedure performed on the subject;
• a plurality of sensors coupled to the multi-layered patient support;
• a plurality of actuators coupled to multi-layered patient support;
• and
• a controller comprising a memory and a processing system comprising one or more processors, wherein the controller is configured to receive feedback from the plurality of sensors, to estimate both a subject's pose and exerted physical effort towards either ingress into or egress from the top patient support based on the feedback, to calculate respective assistive forces needed at various portions of the top patient support based on the subject's pose and exerted physical effort, and to provide control signals to the plurality of actuators to deliver the respective assistive forces at the various portions of the top patient support.