Molecular breast imaging system with gantry assembly for lateral-facing ultrasound

A molecular breast imaging (MBI) system comprising:

• a support structure;
• a first gamma ray detector operably coupled to the support structure and extending to define a first imaging plane;
• a second gamma ray detector operably coupled to the support structure and extending to define a second imaging plane;
• a gantry assembly for aligning an ultrasound probe with a region-of-interest relative to the first and second gamma ray detectors, the gantry assembly being coupled to the support structure and positioned between the first gamma ray detector and the second gamma ray detector, the gantry assembly comprising:
• a semicircular gantry that extends in a gantry plane parallel to one of the first imaging plane or the second imaging plane;
• a vertical support member coupled to the semicircular gantry and extending in a direction perpendicular to the gantry plane, the vertical support member being translatable along an extent of the semicircular gantry;
• a support arm operatively engaging the vertical support member and extending in a lateral direction that is parallel to one of the first imaging plane or the second imaging plane, wherein the support arm is operable to adjust a height of the support arm relative to the semicircular gantry and to adjust a lateral position of the support arm relative to the vertical support member;
• and
• wherein the support arm is configured to receive an ultrasound probe at its distal end.