Positioning apparatus

A patient support apparatus configured to support a patient for a medical imaging examination using a medical imaging apparatus, the patient support apparatus comprising:

• a table comprising a support surface to support the patient;
• and
• a positioning apparatus configured to actively assist support, positioning, or support and positioning of the patient on the patient support apparatus, the positioning apparatus comprising:
• a sliding bearing unit for movable support of the positioning apparatus on the patient support apparatus;
• and
• a patient bearing unit comprising at least two patient bearing regions, at least a first patient bearing region of the at least two patient bearing regions being configured to support, provide support, or support and provide support on the patient support apparatus, and at least a second patient bearing region of the at least two patient bearing regions being configured to assist the positioning of the patient,
• wherein the first patient bearing region is only moveable in directions parallel to a surface of the patient support apparatus, the second patient bearing region being rotatable relative to the first patient bearing region, and
• wherein the at least two patient bearing regions comprise two strip elements, between which a patient bearing element of the at least two patient bearing regions is arranged to contact the patient and support the patient when the patient support apparatus supports the patient, the patient bearing element being directly fastened to the two strip elements.

A medical imaging apparatus comprising:

• a patient support apparatus configured to support a patient for a medical imaging examination using a medical imaging apparatus, the patient support apparatus comprising:
• a table comprising a support surface to support the patient;
• and
• a positioning apparatus configured to actively assist support, positioning, or support and positioning of the patient on the patient support apparatus, the positioning apparatus comprising:
• a sliding bearing unit for movable support of the positioning apparatus on the patient support apparatus;
• and
• a patient bearing unit comprising at least two patient bearing regions in contact with the patient when the patient support apparatus supports the patient, at least a first patient bearing region of the at least two patient bearing regions being configured to support, provide support, or support and provide support on the patient support apparatus, and at least a second patient bearing region of the at least two patient bearing regions being configured to assist the positioning of the patient,
• wherein the first patient bearing region is only moveable in directions parallel to a surface of the patient support apparatus, the second patient bearing region being rotatable relative to the first bearing region, and
• wherein at least one patient bearing region of the at least two patient bearing regions comprises two strip elements, between which a patient bearing element of the at least one patient bearing region is arranged to support the patient, the patient bearing element being directly fastened to the two strip elements.