Laser imaging apparatus with variable patient positioning

A diagnostic computed tomographic imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a) a patient support structure including a tabletop to support a patient in front-down, prone position;
• b) said tabletop including an opening to permit a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below said tabletop;
• c) a scanning mechanism disposed below said opening and orbitable for a plurality of vertically spaced orbits around the breast pendent through said opening to obtain data for image reconstruction of the breast, said scanning mechanism having an axis of rotation transverse to said tabletop;
• and
• d) means for positioning said axis of rotation within the breast at each orbit of said scanning mechanism.

A diagnostic computed tomographic imaging apparatus, comprising:

• a) a patient support structure including a tabletop to support a patient in front-down, prone position;
• b) said tabletop including an opening to permit a breast of the patient to be vertically pendant below said tabletop;
• c) a scanning mechanism disposed below said opening and orbitable for a plurality of vertically spaced orbits around the breast pendent through said opening to obtain data for image reconstruction of the breast, said scanning mechanism having an axis of rotation transverse to said tabletop;
• and
• d) said scanning mechanism including a source of radiation directed toward the breast and means for aiming said source of radiation toward the center of the breast at each orbit of said scanning mechanism.