Methods and systems for guiding user to perform medical imaging

A method for generating an image of a subject, the method comprising:

• identifying a position of an imaging assembly of an imaging system prior to emitting radiation through the subject using a radiation emitter of the imaging assembly and a radiation detector of the imaging assembly, the position including a wag angle and a tilt angle of the imaging assembly;
• notifying a user of the imaging system when the wag angle and the tilt angle are not at predetermined start angles relative to the subject prior to emitting radiation through the subject using the radiation emitter and the radiation detector for imaging the subject;
• when at least one of the wag angle and the tilt angle are not at the predetermined start angles prior to emitting radiation through the subject, generating and displaying instructions to the user by way of a user interface for adjusting the imaging assembly so that the wag angle and gantry tilt angle are at the predetermined start angles prior to emitting radiation through the subject;
• and
• restricting operation of the radiation emitter until the wag angle and the tilt angle are at the predetermined start angles prior to emitting radiation through the subject.

An apparatus for generating an image of a subject, the apparatus comprising:

• means for identifying a position of an imaging assembly of an imaging system prior to emitting radiation through the subject using a radiation emitter of the imaging assembly and a radiation detector of the imaging assembly, the position including a wag angle and a tilt angle of the imaging assembly;
• means for notifying a user of the imaging system when the wag angle and the tilt angle are not at predetermined start angles relative to the subject prior to emitting radiation through the subject using the radiation emitter and the radiation detector for imaging the subject;
• means for, when at least one of the wag angle and the tilt angle are not at the predetermined start angles prior to emitting radiation through the subject, generating and displaying instructions to the user by way of a user interface for adjusting the imaging assembly so that the wag angle and gantry tilt angle are at the predetermined start angles prior to emitting radiation through the subject;
• and
• means for restricting operation of the radiation emitter until the wag angle and the tilt angle are at the predetermined start angles prior to emitting radiation through the subject.