Multimodal imaging system and method

An imaging system for obtaining images of a patient, the imaging system comprising:

• a first scanning device, not being a SPECT scanner device, the first scanning device having a first imaging space and is configured to obtain scanning images of at least a part of the patient;
• a second scanning device, being a SPECT scanner device, the second scanning device having a SPECT imaging space and being configured to obtain SPECT images of at least a part of the patient;
• a patient carrier adapted to carry the patient;
• a mover mechanism configured to move the patient carrier in a first direction allowing to introduce at least a part of the patient carried by the patient carrier into the first imaging space of the first scanning device,
• wherein the SPECT scanner device is positioned behind the first scanning device when seen in the first direction,
• wherein the mover mechanism is configured to move the patient carrier further in said first direction allowing to introduce at least a part of the patient carried by the patient carrier into the SPECT imaging space of the SPECT scanner device, and
• wherein the SPECT scanner device comprises a housing accommodating a set of detectors in an arrangement around the SPECT imaging space;
• a plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies, wherein the SPECT scanner device is configured to receive one of said plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies in a position around the SPECT imaging space, allowing to obtain SPECT images of at least a part of the patient using one or more of the detectors of the set of detectors,
• wherein the plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies comprises at least a first collimator assembly and a second collimator assembly, said first and second collimator assemblies having different imaging properties, and
• wherein the SPECT scanner device is configured for removal and introduction of each one of said plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies at a side of the housing thereof that faces away from the first scanning device;
• and
• a collimator support and conveyance system configured to support and convey each collimator assembly of said plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies in replacing one of the plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies that is positioned in the SPECT scanner around the SPECT imaging space for another one of the plurality of exchangeable collimator assemblies.