Device for transferring a cradle for use with a medical imaging equipment

A device for transferring a cradle for use with a PET-MRI hybrid system composed of a Positron Emission Tomography (PET) apparatus and a Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) apparatus, comprising:

• a cradle having a first guide member lengthwisely disposed on a lower side thereof, wherein a subject lies on an upper side thereof;
• a shuttle table including:
• a transfer frame for supporting the lower side of the cradle;
• a transfer member for transferring the cradle, wherein the transfer member is mounted to the transfer frame so as to be movable along the transfer frame;
• and a transfer member driving means for reciprocating the transfer member between a first position where the transfer member is situated at one end of the transfer frame and a second position where the transfer member is situated at the other end of the transfer frame;
• a table cart reciprocating between the PET apparatus and the MRI apparatus while supporting the shuttle table so that the shuttle table can be lifted and lowered, wherein the table cart is situated adjacent to the MRI apparatus so that one end of an examination table of the MRI apparatus and the other end of the transfer frame are opposed to each other;
• a cradle receiving member located on the examination table of the MRI apparatus for supporting the cradle transferred from the shuttle table, wherein the cradle receiving member has a second guide member lengthwisely disposed on an upper side thereof, and wherein the second guide member is configured to contact the first guide member;
• and
• cradle locking means including a first locking member movably mounted to the cradle and a second locking member fixed to the cradle receiving member, wherein the first locking member is engaged and released to and from the second locking member.