Apparatus for aligning an object being scanned in multi-modality systems

An imaging system comprising:

• at least a first and a second imaging assembly configured to obtain 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 support a patient during a first and a second examination;
• and
• a support mechanism configured to move said table between a first and a second examination position aligned with said first and second examination axes corresponding to said first and a second imaging assemblies, said support mechanism comprising a positioner configured to engage a positioning socket to align said patient table with at least one of said first and second examination axes, wherein said support mechanism is configured to move said table between the first and second examination positions using a predetermined angular velocity profile, wherein the predetermined angular velocity profile comprises a first time period of acceleration, a second time period of an approximately constant angular velocity, and a third time period of deceleration.