Abstract: In MR imaging, the patient is placed on the table in a configuration convenient for a surgical procedure and while in the configuration the patient is moved into the field of view by moving the magnet longitudinally and the table is moved in the bore relative to the magnet so as to optimize the part to be imaged within the field of view of the magnet. After imaging the table is moved back to the preset position and removed from the magnet for the surgical procedure to commence or continue. The movement includes movement along the longitudinal axis; transverse movement side to side; rolling movement about a longitudinal axis; tilting movement about a transverse axis and bending movement of the table relative to at least one transverse hinge line in the table at a position spaced from the ends of the table.

Abstract: A structural support component such as a head clamp for use in imaging of a part of a patient using Magnetic Resonance and X-ray imaging is formed of different materials each of which has an Aluminum equivalence factor of less than 10 mm and generally less than 6 mm and is arranged such that the presence of the structural support component in an imaging zone of a magnetic resonance imaging system when generating the image does not generate any visually determinable distortion in the image. The materials can be epoxy resin combined with a glass fiber substrate for easily machined parts, polyphenylene sulphide with random fiber reinforcement using glass fibers for high wear parts and polyurethane foam or Polymethacrylimide foam shaped to form a required member and covered on its outer surface with a layer formed from aramid fibers for elongate parts.

Abstract: A patient table for a common imaging system including Magnetic Resonance and X-ray retains the patient stationary in position prior to, during and subsequent to the imaging and includes a base, a patient support portion cantilevered from the base and a mattress. The RF posterior coil portions for the head and for the chest can be inserted into and removed from an operating position underneath the head and chest of the patient while patient remains supported. The chest coil is inserted from one edge in a cavity in the mattress which is reinforced by a sleeve. The signal communication cable from the chest coil is routed in front of the mattress and over the mattress so as to not to be exposed at the sides. The head coil is carried on a base plate of the patient support alongside the head support which remains in place.