Fluoro-assist feature for a diagnostic imaging device

A diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a diagnostic imaging subsystem for generating first diagnostic image representations of an object when the object is positioned within an examination region;
• a fluoroscopic imaging subsystem for generating fluoroscopic image representations of the object, the fluoroscopic imaging subsystem including an x-ray source for transmitting x-rays, a flat panel image receptor for detecting the x-rays and generating signals indicative of the detected x-rays, and a support member for supporting the flat panel image receptor in a stored position remote from the examination region and an operating position proximate the examination region;
• and
• the flat panel image receptor being mounted in a housing having a first control panel proximate one end thereof and a second control panel proximate a second end thereof.

A diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a frame having a bore defining an examination region;
• a diagnostic imaging subsystem for generating first diagnostic image representations of an object when the object is positioned within the examination region;
• a fluoroscopic imaging subsystem for generating fluoroscopic image representations of the object, the fluoroscopic imaging subsystem including an x-ray source for transmitting x-rays, a flat panel image receptor for detecting the x-rays and generating signals indicative of the detected x-rays, and a C-arm for supporting the flat panel image receptor in a stored position remote from the examination region and an operating position proximate the examination region;
• and
• the C-arm being secured to a mounting structure that is attached to the frame, the C-arm including an open channel extending longitudinally along a surface of the C-arm, and the mounting structure including a hose guide for directing a cable extending from the frame at least partially into the open channel when the C-arm is orbited in a first direction and for guiding the cable into a service loop from the open channel when the C-arm is orbited in a second direction.

A diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a gantry having a bore defining an examination region;
• a diagnostic imaging subsystem for generating a first diagnostic image representation of a patient when a patient is positioned within the examination region;
• a fluoroscopic imaging subsystem including a C-arm:
• mounted to a mounting structure that is secured to the gantry;
• includes an open channel extending longitudinally along surface of the C-arm;
• supports a flat image receptor that detects x-rays and generates signals indicative of the detected x-rays;
• and
• the mounting structure includes a hose guide for directing a cable extending from the frame at least partially into the open channel when the C-arm is orbited in a first direction and for guiding the cable into a service loop from the open channel when the C-arm is orbited in a second direction.

A diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a frame defining an examination region;
• a first diagnostic imaging subsystem for generating a first diagnostic image representation of an object when the object is positioned within the examination region;
• and
• a second diagnostic imaging subsystem including a flat panel image receptor that detects x-rays and generates signals indicative of the detected x-rays, the flat panel image receptor being mounted in a housing having a first control panel proximate one end thereof and a second control panel proximate a second end thereof.

A diagnostic imaging apparatus comprising:

• a frame defining an examination region;
• a patient support adapted for movement through the examination region;
• a diagnostic imaging subsystem for generating a first diagnostic image representation of an object when the object is positioned within the examination region;
• a fluoroscopic imaging subsystem including a C-arm for supporting a flat panel image receptor that detects x-rays and generates signals indicative of the detected x-rays;
• and
• a mounting structure secured to the frame for supporting the C-arm in a stored position remote from the patient support and an operating position proximate the patient support.

A method of generating fluoroscopic projection image representations with a diagnostic imaging apparatus including 1) a frame having a bore defining an examination region, 2) a first diagnostic imaging subsystem for generating diagnostic image representations of an object when the object is positioned within the examination region, 3) a fluoroscopic imaging subsystem including a flat panel image receptor for detecting x-rays and generating signals indicative of the detected x-rays, and a support member for supporting the flat panel image receptor, and 4) a mounting structure secured directly to the frame that supports the support member in a stored position adjacent the frame and remote from the examination region and an operating position proximate the examination region, the method comprising:

• manipulating the mounting structure to reposition the support member from the stored position remote from the examination region to the operating position proximate the examination region;
• the flat panel image receptor detecting x-rays generated by an x-ray source and generating signals indicative of the radiation detected when positioned in the operating position;
• and
• reconstructing the fluoroscopic projection image representations from the signals generated by the flat panel image receptor.