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US 8,118,488 B2Granted
Mobile medical imaging system and methods
AssigneeMobius Imaging, LLC
InventorEugene A. Gregerson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A mobile medical imaging device that allows for multiple support structures, such as a tabletop or a seat, to be attached, and in which the imaging gantry is indexed to the patient by translating up and down the patient axis. In one embodiment, the imaging gantry can translate, rotate and/or tilt with respect to a support base, enabling imaging in multiple orientations, and can also rotate in-line with the support base to facilitate easy transport and/or storage of the device. The imaging device can be used in, for example, x-ray computed tomography (CT) and/or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications.
Claims105
A medical imaging system, comprising:
- a base having a top surface, a first end and a second end;
- a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base, the pedestal extending in a vertical direction above the top surface of the base and configured to accept a plurality of interchangeable procedure-specific tabletop supports, and the pedestal is rotatable about an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base;
- and
- a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and positioned above the top surface of base, the gantry ring configured to translate along a length of the base between a first position adjacent to the pedestal to a second position adjacent to the second end of the base, the gantry ring further configured to rotate at least about 90 degrees with respect to an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base.
1 more element
A method of imaging an object with a medical imaging system having a base with a top surface, a first end and a second end, a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base, a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and positioned above the top surface of the base, the method comprising:
- rotating the gantry ring about an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base, the gantry ring rotating at least about 90 degrees from a transport position to an imaging position;
- transporting a tabletop support to the pedestal;
- securing the tabletop support on the pedestal, the tabletop support extending from the pedestal into an imaging area that is above the base and in the direction of the gantry ring, an object to be imaged being positioned on the tabletop support;
- adjusting the relative positions of the tabletop support and the gantry ring until a region of interest is located inside the bore of the gantry ring;
- translating the gantry ring in a first direction relative to the base;
- obtaining image data of the object using the image collection apparatus on the gantry ring;
- and
- removing the tabletop support from the pedestal.
5 more elements
A medical imaging system, comprising:
- a base having a top surface, a first end and a second end;
- a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base, the pedestal extending in a vertical direction above the top surface of the base and configured to accept a plurality of interchangeable procedure-specific tabletop supports, the pedestal configured to receive and secure a tabletop support on a top surface of the pedestal, and the tabletop support translates in at least one direction relative to the pedestal and the base;
- and
- a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and suspended above the top surface of the base, the gantry ring configured to translate along a length of the base between a first position adjacent to the pedestal to a second position adjacent to the second end of the base, the gantry ring further configured to rotate at least about 90 degrees with respect to an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base.
1 more element
A medical imaging system, comprising:
- a base having a top surface, a first end and a second end;
- a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base, the pedestal extending in a vertical direction above the top surface of the base and configured to accept a plurality of interchangeable procedure-specific tabletop supports;
- a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and suspended above the top surface of the base, the gantry ring configured to translate along a length of the base between a first position adjacent to the pedestal to a second position adjacent to the second end of the base, the gantry ring further configured to rotate at least about 90 degrees with respect to an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base;
- and
- a retractable support element that extends upwards from the base to support a cantilevered end of a tabletop support that is mounted to the pedestal.
2 more elements
A medical imaging system, comprising:
- a base having a top surface, a first end and a second end;
- a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base, the pedestal extending in a vertical direction above the top surface of the base and configured to accept a plurality of interchangeable procedure-specific tabletop supports;
- a tabletop support mounted to and disposed above the pedestal, the tabletop support extending at least partially into the bore of the gantry ring, the tabletop support comprising a plurality of modular sections that can be added to and removed from the tabletop support to modify the configuration of the tabletop support;
- and
- a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and positioned above the top surface of base, the gantry ring configured to translate along a length of the base between a first position adjacent to the pedestal to a second position adjacent to the second end of the base, the gantry ring further configured to rotate at least about 90 degrees with respect to an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base.
2 more elements
A medical imaging system, comprising:
- a base with a top surface, a first end and a second end;
- a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base;
- a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and positioned above the top surface of the base, the image collection apparatus operable to obtain image data of an object,
- rotating means for rotating the gantry ring about an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base, the gantry ring rotating at least about 90 degrees from a transport position to an imaging position;
- a tabletop support attachable to the pedestal, the tabletop support extending from the pedestal into an imaging area that is above the base and in the direction of the gantry ring, an object to be imaged being positionable on the tabletop support;
- translating means for translating the gantry ring in a first direction relative to the base;
- transporting means for transporting the tabletop support to the pedestal;
- means for securing the tabletop support on the pedestal and for removing the tabletop support from the pedestal;
- and
- means for adjusting the relative positions of the tabletop support and the gantry ring until a region of interest is located inside the bore of the gantry ring, the image collection apparatus obtaining image data of the region of interest.
7 more elements
A method of imaging an object with a medical imaging system having a base with a top surface, a first end and a second end, a pedestal connected to the base and positioned adjacent to the first end of the base, and a gantry ring having a bore and an image collection apparatus, the gantry ring coupled to the base and positioned above the top surface of the base, the method comprising:
- rotating the gantry ring about an axis extending generally normal to the top surface of the base, the gantry ring rotating at least about 90 degrees from a transport position to an imaging position;
- attaching a tabletop support to the pedestal, the tabletop support extending from the pedestal into an imaging area that is above the base and in the direction of the gantry ring;
- positioning an object to be imaged on the tabletop support;
- translating the gantry ring in a first direction relative to the base;
- obtaining image data of the object using the image collection apparatus on the gantry ring;
- and
- rotating the pedestal and tabletop support relative to the base to bring the tabletop support into and out of the imaging area.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.