Systems and methods for multi-modality imaging component alignment

A method, comprising:

• scanning, with a first imaging modality unit and a second imaging modality unit, an object positioned in a first orientation;
• scanning, with the first imaging modality unit and the second imaging modality unit, the object positioned in a second orientation;
• scanning, with the first imaging modality unit and the second imaging modality unit, the object positioned in a third orientation;
• reconstructing images of the object in each of the orientations using data acquired during the scans;
• and
• determining an alignment of the first imaging modality unit and the second imaging modality unit based on the reconstructed images.

A system, comprising:

• a first modality unit comprising a bore therethrough;
• a second modality unit comprising a bore therethrough;
• a table positioned to move at least partially through the first modality unit bore and the second modality unit bore;
• and
• a computer communicatively coupled to the first and second modality units, the computer configured with executable instructions in non-transitory memory that when executed cause the computer to:
• perform a plurality of scans of an object with the first modality unit and the second modality unit, wherein the object is positioned on the table in a different orientation during each of the plurality of scans;
• calculate a plurality of alignment parameters based on images of the object reconstructed from data acquired during the plurality of scans;
• and
• adjust an alignment of the first modality unit to the second modality unit based on the plurality of alignment parameters.