Drive system for imaging device

A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system, comprising:

• a drive wheel;
• a main drive mechanically coupled to the drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface in a transport mode;
• a translation mechanism that translates the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base in an imaging mode, the drive wheel supporting the one or more imaging components at least in part in both the transport mode and the imaging mode;
• and
• a plurality of casters attached to the base, and the casters are extended and retracted relative to a bottom surface of the base to raise and lower the base and a table system mounted to the base in coordination with an extension and retraction of the drive wheel relative to the main drive, wherein the weight of the base and the table system are supported by the casters in transport mode.

A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system, comprising:

• a drive wheel;
• a main drive mechanically coupled to the drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface in a transport mode;
• a translation mechanism that translates the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base in an imaging mode, the drive wheel supporting the one or more imaging components at least in part in both the transport mode and the imaging mode;
• a plurality of casters attached to the base, and the casters are extended and retracted relative to a bottom surface of the base to raise and lower the base and a table system mounted to the base in coordination with an extension and retraction of the drive wheel relative to the main drive;
• and
• at least three pads that are attached to bottom of the base and sit on the floor when the base is lowered to define a scan plane, wherein the weight of the base and table are supported by the pads and/or casters during the imaging mode.

A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system, comprising:

• a drive wheel;
• a main drive mechanically coupled to the drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface in a transport mode;
• a translation mechanism that translates the one or more components along an axis relative to the base in an imaging mode, the drive wheel supporting the one or more imaging components at least in part in both the transport mode and the imaging mode;
• and
• a suspension system that reduces or eliminates deflection of a scan plane path of the imaging components during the imaging scan, wherein the suspension system allows the drive wheel to conform to elevation differences in the floor while a rail system on the base maintains the plane of the imaging components.

A mobile imaging;

• system, comprising:
• a base;
• a gantry having one or more imaging components;
• a drive wheel that supports the gantry;
• and
• a drive mechanism that includes a main drive coupled to the drive wheel for transporting the base and gantry and a translation mechanism that translates the gantry and drive wheel relative to the base during an imaging scan.

A method of imaging a patient, comprising:

• transporting an imaging system, including a base, a drive mechanism and one or more imaging components, by driving a drive wheel mechanically coupled to the drive mechanism;
• retracting the drive wheel relative to the drive mechanism to lower the base to the ground;
• positioning a patient on a patient support mounted to the base;
• and
• translating the imaging components relative to the base and the patient to obtain imaging data from the patient, while the imaging components are supported by the drive wheel.