Methods and system for multi-modality imaging
AssigneeGE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC
InventorsLeonid Yakubovsky, Hernan Altman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of examining a patient is provided. The method includes aligning a patient table with a first examination axis, imaging a patient utilizing a first imaging modality while the patient is oriented along the first examination axis, aligning a patient table with a second examination axis, the second examination axis being different than the first examination axis, and imaging a patient utilizing a second separate imaging modality while the patient is oriented along the second examination axis.
Claims16
A method of examining a patient, the method comprising:
- aligning a patient table with a first examination axis;
- imaging a patient utilizing a first imaging modality while the patient is oriented along the first examination axis;
- sequentially translating a first and a second imaging assembly laterally to align the patient table with a second examination axis, the second examination axis being different than the first examination axis, wherein the first and second examination axes are substantially parallel and sequentially translating the first and second imaging assemblies laterally comprises translating the first and second imaging assemblies generally perpendicularly to the first and second axes;
- and
- imaging the patient utilizing a second separate imaging modality while the patient is oriented along the second examination axis.
An imaging system comprising:
- at least a first and a second separate imaging assembly for obtaining medical diagnostic images of a patient for at least first and second imaging modalities, said imaging assemblies being aligned along different first and second examination axes;
- a table configured to hold a patient during the first and the second examination;
- and
- a support mechanism moving said table between a first and a second examination position wherein said table is aligned with said first and second examination axes, respectively, wherein said support mechanism is configured to move said table both rotatably and laterally to align said table with said first and second examination axes, and wherein said support mechanism is configured to move said table laterally in approximately a straight line.
A method of examining a patient, the method comprising:
- aligning a patient table with a first examination axis;
- imaging a patient utilizing a first imaging modality while the patient is oriented along the first examination axis;
- laterally translating the patient table and at least one of a first and a second imaging assembly to align the patient table with a second examination axis, the second examination axis being different from the first examination axis;
- and
- imaging the patient utilizing a second separate imaging modality while the patient is oriented along the second examination axis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.