Ergonomic improvements in cone beam breast computed tomography

A Cone Beam Breast Computed Tomography (CBBCT) scanning system comprising:

• a base member;
• a CBBCT gantry subsystem coupled to and supported by said base member, said CBBCT gantry subsystem including a CBBCT gantry, said CBBCT gantry being adapted and configured to rotate about an axis of rotation;
• and
• a patient interface panel, said patient interface panel having a patient interface surface with an aperture therethrough and a patient interface subpanel disposed within said aperture, said patient interface subpanel including a breast aperture, said patient interface panel including a safety belt, said safety belt being adapted to urge a patient towards said patient interface surface, said patient interface surface having an elevation axis, said patient interface panel being pivotally coupled to said base member with a pivotal hinge, said patient interface panel being adapted to pivot about said pivotal hinge between a first patient loading configuration in which said elevation axis is disposed generally aligned with said axis of rotation, and a second patient imaging configuration in which said elevation axis is disposed generally transverse to said axis of rotation.