Rt table top filler

A patient support table insert comprising:

• a flat top surface that, when the table insert is mated with a recessed portion of a patient support table, lays flush with a top surface of the patient support table;
• and
• a bottom surface that is contoured in a manner such that the shape of the bottom surface is complementary to a shape of the recessed portion of the patient support table such that the bottom surface of the insert fits into and mates with the recessed portion of the patient support table;
• wherein the filler insert includes an anterior keying feature that mates with an anterior keying recess in the recessed portion of the patient support table and a central keying feature that mates with the central keying recess in the recessed portion of the patient support table to align and secure the filler insert in place on the patient support table.

A method of maintaining a flat surface on a patient support table when an insertable radio frequency (RF) head coil is not installed therein, comprising:

• maintaining a filler insert in a recessed portion of a patient support table;
• when a patient is to be scanned using an RF head coil, removing the filler insert and installing the RF head coil into the recessed portion of the patient support table;
• when the patient scan is complete, removing the RF head coil from the recessed portion of the patient support table and re-installing the filler insert into the recessed portion of the patient support table;
• wherein the recessed portion of the patient support table includes a central keying recess that is positioned approximately at a center of the recessed portion, and an anterior keying recess that is positioned along an anterior edge of the recessed portion, and wherein the filler insert includes an anterior keying feature that mates with the anterior keying recess and a central keying feature that mates with the central keying recess to align and secure the filler insert in place on the patient support table.