Abstract: When performing nuclear (e.g., SPECT or PET) and CT scans on a patient, a volume cone-beam CT scan is performed using a cone-beam CT X-ray source (20) and an offset flat panel X-ray detector (22). A field of view of the X-ray source overlaps a field of view of two nuclear detector heads (18), and the offset of the X-ray detector (22) minimizes interference with nuclear detector head movement about a rotatable gantry (16). Additionally, a locking mechanism (80) provides automatically locking of the X-ray detector (22) in each of a stowed and operation position, improving safety and CT image quality.

Abstract: When performing nuclear (e.g., SPECT or PET) and CT scans on a patient, a volume cone-beam CT scan is performed using a cone-beam CT X-ray source (20) and an offset flat panel X-ray detector (22). A field of view of the X-ray source overlaps a field of view of two nuclear detector heads (18), and the offset of the X-ray detector (22) minimizes interference with nuclear detector head movement about a rotatable gantry (16). Additionally, a locking mechanism (80) provides automatically locking of the X-ray detector (22) in each of a stowed and operation position, improving safety and CT image quality.

Abstract: A telescopic table system (32) is used for imaging a subject in at least a first modality (12) and a second modality (14). The first modality is disposed adjacent to the second modality to align a subject receiving bore (24) of the first modality with a subject receiving bore (36) of the second modality. The telescoping table system (32) includes a base (108), an intermediate pallet (78) and a subject pallet (82) on which a subject is loaded prior to imaging. The subject pallet (82) is mounted and supported to retain a constant cantilevering with respect to the intermediate pallet (78) at all longitude positions to prevent deflection changes while extending into any of the imaging modalities. The subject pallet (82) is moved through the first modality subject receiving bore (24) for imaging in the first modality. The subject pallet (82) is withdrawn from the first modality (12) and aligned with the intermediate pallet (78).