Abstract: A rotating imaging system has a rotating portion, an idler, at least one sensor, a tilt sensor and a processor. The rotating portion has a diameter and rotates about a central axis. The idler rotates about an axis parallel to the central axis, and has a second diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the rotating portion. The rotating portion and the idler engage with each other such that both rotate simultaneously. The at least one sensor detects flags on the idler as the idler rotates. The tilt sensor is mounted to the rotating portion and determines a rotation angle of the rotating portion within a range of one revolution, and the processor determines an absolute rotation of the rotating portion based on at least a signal from the at least one sensor and the rotation angle determined by the tilt sensor.

Abstract: Methods and systems for patient positioning in an imaging system are provided. A palette for an imaging system is provided that includes a base portion movably connected to the imaging system and an extender portion removably connected to the base portion. The extender portion together with the base portion supports an object to be imaged by the imaging system.

Abstract: A rotating imaging system has a rotating portion that is configured to rotate about a central axis. A tilt gauge has a housing mounted to the rotating portion and a gravity influenced flag with a free end configured to move separately with respect to the housing. The tilt gauge is configured to provide a visual indication of a rotational position of the rotating portion.

Abstract: A multi-modality imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system that is different from the first imaging system. The first and second imaging systems are slidingly mounted on at least one rail. A table has a movable pallet configured to extend through a scan range of the first imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at one position along the at least one rail. The pallet is further configured to extend through a scan range of the second imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at a different position along the at least one rail. At least a portion of the scan ranges overlap each other.

Abstract: An apparatus for examining a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate, at least one top rail slideably coupled to said top plate, said top plate selectively positionable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position along an examination axis, a support member coupled to said at least one top rail, said support member configured to selectively change a position of said top plate along an axis perpendicular to said examination axis, said support member comprises at least one guide pin slideably coupled to said at least one rail during movement of said support member, said guide pin configured to retain said support member to said at least one top rail when said top rail is moved between a first modality position and a second modality position.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system having attenuation correction (AC) has a stationary portion having an NM rotating portion mounted thereon. At least one gamma camera head is mounted on the NM rotating portion proximate a front side of the stationary portion and is configured to be rotated about a central axis. An AC portion comprises an X-ray source mounted on an AC rotating portion. The AC rotating portion is mounted proximate a back side of the stationary portion. The X-ray source is configured to be rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: A rotating imaging system has a rotating portion, an idler, at least one sensor, a tilt sensor and a processor. The rotating portion has a diameter and rotates about a central axis. The idler rotates about an axis parallel to the central axis, and has a second diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the rotating portion. The rotating portion and the idler engage with each other such that both rotate simultaneously. The at least one sensor detects flags on the idler as the idler rotates. The tilt sensor is mounted to the rotating portion and determines a rotation angle of the rotating portion within a range of one revolution, and the processor determines an absolute rotation of the rotating portion based on at least a signal from the at least one sensor and the rotation angle determined by the tilt sensor.

Abstract: A rotating imaging system has a rotating portion that is configured to rotate about a central axis. A tilt gauge has a housing mounted to the rotating portion and a gravity influenced flag with a free end configured to move separately with respect to the housing. The tilt gauge is configured to provide a visual indication of a rotational position of the rotating portion.

Abstract: A nuclear medicine (NM) imaging system having attenuation correction (AC) has a stationary portion having an NM rotating portion mounted thereon. At least one gamma camera head is mounted on the NM rotating portion proximate a front side of the stationary portion and is configured to be rotated about a central axis. An AC portion comprises an X-ray source mounted on an AC rotating portion. The AC rotating portion is mounted proximate a back side of the stationary portion. The X-ray source is configured to be rotated about the central axis.

Abstract: A multi-modality imaging system includes a first imaging system and a second imaging system that is different from the first imaging system. The first and second imaging systems are slidingly mounted on at least one rail. A table has a movable pallet configured to extend through a scan range of the first imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at one position along the at least one rail. The pallet is further configured to extend through a scan range of the second imaging system while the first and second imaging systems are positioned proximate each other at a different position along the at least one rail. At least a portion of the scan ranges overlap each other.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a patient table having a longitudinal axis for a medical imaging system are provided. The patient table includes a body including a first end, an axially-spaced second end, and a first and a second axially oriented side edges extending therebetween, the body further including at least one of an aperture extending through the body and a notch extending from at least one of the first and second axially oriented side edges, and a base configured to couple to the body using at least one of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a patient table having a longitudinal axis for a medical imaging system are provided. The patient table includes a body including a first end, an axially-spaced second end, and a first and a second axially oriented side edges extending therebetween, the body further including at least one of an aperture extending through the body and a notch extending from at least one of the first and second axially oriented side edges, and a base configured to couple to the body using at least one of the first end and the second end.

Abstract: Methods and systems for patient positioning in an imaging system are provided. A palette for an imaging system is provided that includes a base portion movably connected to the imaging system and an extender portion removably connected to the base portion. The extender portion together with the base portion supports an object to be imaged by the imaging system.

Abstract: An apparatus for examining a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate, at least one top rail slideably coupled to said top plate, said top plate selectively positionable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position along an examination axis, a support member coupled to said at least one top rail, said support member configured to selectively change a position of said top plate along an axis perpendicular to said examination axis, said support member comprises at least one guide pin slideably coupled to said at least one rail during movement of said support member,.said guide pin configured to retain said support member to said at least one top rail when said top rail is moved between a first modality position and a second modality position.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the effects of variable sag of a supporting element of a support system on an image of a slice of a subject, comprising acquiring an image of a slice subject at an imaging position, determining said sag of said support element at said imaging position, and optionally correcting the image to compensate for the sag.

Abstract: A method for the determination of the effects of variable sag of a supporting element of a support system on an image of a slice of a subject, comprising acquiring an image of a slice subject at an imaging position, determining said sag of said support element at said imaging position, and optionally correcting the image to compensate for the sag.