# US 9,750,472 B2 · Swivel gantry for multi-modal imaging systems > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,750,472 B2 - Document ID: US9750472B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/414,461 - Filed: 2013-07-01 - Published: 2015-06-18 - Granted: 2017-09-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-07-18 - Assignees: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Applicants: Koninklijke Philips N.V. - Inventors: Jinling Liu; Dawn Barile; Steven John Plummer; Bruce Eliot Lutheran; Krassimir Todorov Krastev; Johannes Balthasar Maria Soetens - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9750472B2 ## CPC - A61B 6/4417: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities} - A61B 6/035: {Mechanical aspects of CT} - A61B 6/037: {Emission tomography} - A61B 8/14: Echotomography - A61B 8/4416: {related to combined acquisition of different diagnostic modalities, e.g. combination of ultrasound and X-ray acquisitions} - A61B 6/4411: {the apparatus being modular (A61B6/4283 takes precedence)} - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) ## Abstract A multi-modal imaging system (1) includes a fixed gantry (2), and a swivel gantry (8). The fixed gantry (2) supports a first imaging modality. The swivel gantry (8) connects to the fixed gantry (2) by at least three mounting points (10) and supports a second imaging modality. Selectively the swivel gantry (8) includes a swivel frame (16) and at least three mounting points (10) for mounting the fixed and swivel gantries together in an imaging configuration. The at least three mounting points (10) include at least one hinge (14) which permits the swivel gantry to swivel about the fixed gantry into a service configuration. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A multi-modal imaging system, comprising: a fixed gantry which supports a first imaging modality; a swivel gantry connected to the fixed gantry by at least three mounting points and supports a second imaging modality, the swivel gantry including: a swivel frame; at least three mounting points for mounting the fixed and swivel gantries together in an imaging configuration; wherein the at least three mounting points include at least one hinge, the swivel gantry being configured to swivel about an axis of the hinge into an open configuration, wherein in the imaging configuration, the second modality is disposed such that the first and second imaging modalities share a common imaging region and in the open configuration, the second imaging modality is displaced from the common imaging region. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least three mounting points include adjustable mounting brackets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system according to claim 2, wherein adjustable mounting brackets include an alignment mechanism. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the hinge is located with an axis of rotation on a side of the swivel gantry, the hinge and swivel gantry being configured such that at least a portion of the second imaging modality is disposed in a bore of the fixed gantry in the imaging configuration and out of the bore in the open configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least three mounting points includes two hinges. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least three mounting points includes two hinges each hinge mounted on an opposite side of the swivel gantry each hinge associated with a selectively releasable pin which swivels the swivel gantry on either hinge by releasing pin of the other hinge. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the swivel gantry further includes: one or more wheel assemblies attached to the swivel frame and the one or more wheel assemblies provide a supporting force. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the first modality includes one of: computed x-ray tomography (CT); magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the second modality includes one of: positron emission tomography (PET): single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT); and ultrasound (US). ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the fit between a hinge bearing and a hinge pin is a tight sliding fit. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein each mounting point is adjustable along two directions of a coordinate axis. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein at least one mounting point of the at least three mounting points is flexible along one coordinate axis direction and restrained in the remaining two directions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein each mounting point restrains translational movement relative to two axes of a coordinate system and provides adjustability relative to one axes of the coordinate system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The system according to claim 1, wherein the at least one of mounting points include a latching mechanism limiting the translational movement of the swivel frame in two directions and providing flexibility in a third direction. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The system according to claim 14, wherein the latching mechanism includes a leaf spring. ### Claim 16 A PET/CT imaging system, comprising: a fixed gantry which defines a bore configured to receive a subject for imaging and includes: an x-ray source mounted in the fixed gantry and configured to emit x-rays into the bore; and an x-ray detector configured to detect x-rays from the x-ray source that have traversed the bore, the detector being mounted in the fixed gantry adjacent the bore; a swivel gantry connected to the fixed gantry by at least three mounting points the swivel gantry includes: a ring of PET detectors configured to detect gamma photons emitted by a radiopharmaceutical in the subject; and at least three mounting points including a hinge, the swivel gantry being configured to swivel at the hinge between a first position in the bore for PET or combined PET/CT imaging and a second position outside of the bore. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The PET/CT imaging system according to claim 16, wherein the at least three mounting points include adjustable brackets which align an isocenter of the plurality of the fixed gantry detectors with an isocenter of the plurality of the swivel gantry detectors. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The PET/CT imaging system according to claim 16, further including: at least one support wheel assembly attached to the swivel frame and the at least one support wheel assembly provides a supporting force. ### Claim 19 A method of servicing a hybrid imaging system which includes a stationary gantry of a first modality scanner and a movable gantry of a second modality scanner that is connected to the stationary gantry by a hinge, the method comprising: swiveling the movable gantry about the hinge to an open position for servicing; after servicing, swiveling the movable gantry about the hinge to position a detector ring of the second modality scanner in a bore of the first modality scanner such that respective isocenters of the first and second modality scanners align in a common imaging region; securing the movable gantry to the stationary gantry in at least three mounting points to fix a location and orientation of the detector ring in the bore of the first modality scanner.