Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for creating medical images of a subject patient using a plurality of imaging devices, such as tomographic imaging scanners. The system comprises a plurality of imaging devices, each having a bore through which a patient is translated during scanning. The bores of each device are substantially aligned axially with respect to each other. An open area is formed between the imaging devices along the path of the patient, through which a caregiver can attain line-of-sight visual contact with or other access to the patient. During a scanning operation, the scanned portion of a patient is transported through the bore of the first device, past the opening between the devices and into the bore of the second device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for creating medical images of a subject patient using a plurality of imaging devices, such as tomographic imaging scanners. The imaging devices each have a bore through which a patient is translated during scanning. The imaging devices can be moved apart to allow greater access to a patient between the bores.

Abstract: A method of avoiding collisions with components of medical diagnostic imaging system includes defining a plurality of imaging system components as wire frame representations having vertices. The objects in the imaging system are defined in a common coordinate system using transform matrices for the imaging system components. An operator initiates movement of the imaging system components and position and motion input signals are provided to a controller. The transform matrices for imaging system components are updated and a final transform is computed in response to the input signals for the imaging system components, the final transform indicative of a position of imaging system components at a predetermined time interval. The final transform is applied to the wire frame representation generating a new position for the wire frame and a determination is made as to whether a collision is occurring between any of the plurality of imaging system components using the new wire frame positions.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for handling a patient in a tomographic imaging system using a plurality of imaging devices. The imaging devices each have a bore through which a patient is translated during scanning. One or more patient support structures extend from the front of the tomographic imaging system, where the patient is initially placed, through the bores of the system. The patient is translated through the bores of the system and along the patient support structures by an actuator.

Abstract: A method of avoiding collisions with components of medical diagnostic imaging system includes defining a plurality of imaging system components as wire frame representations having vertices. The objects in the imaging system are defined in a common coordinate system using transform matrices for the imaging system components. An operator initiates movement of the imaging system components and position and motion input signals are provided to a controller. The transform matrices for imaging system components are updated and a final transform is computed in response to the input signals for the imaging system components, the final transform indicative of a position of imaging system components at a predetermined time interval. The final transform is applied to the wire frame representation generating a new position for the wire frame and a determination is made as to whether a collision is occurring between any of the plurality of imaging system components using the new wire frame positions.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a system including a CT system, an NM system, a NM bed operatively coupled to the NM system, and a CT bed operatively coupled to the CT system, with the CT bed coupled to the NM bed when the CT system is used for dual mode imaging.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for creating medical images of a subject patient using a plurality of imaging devices, such as tomographic imaging scanners. The system comprises a plurality of imaging devices, each having a bore through which a patient is translated during scanning. The bores of each device are substantially aligned axially with respect to each other. An open area is formed between the imaging devices along the path of the patient, through which a caregiver can attain line-of-sight visual contact with or other access to the patient. During a scanning operation, the scanned portion of a patient is transported through the bore of the first device, past the opening between the devices and into the bore of the second device.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for handling a patient in a tomographic imaging system using a plurality of imaging devices. The imaging devices each have a bore through which a patient is translated during scanning. One or more patient support structures extend from the front of the tomographic imaging system, where the patient is initially placed, through the bores of the system. The patient is translated through the bores of the system and along the patient support structures by an actuator.

Abstract: The invention comprises a system and method for creating medical images of a subject patient using a plurality of imaging devices, such as tomographic imaging scanners. The imaging devices each have a bore through which a patient is translated during scanning. The imaging devices can be moved apart to allow greater access to a patient between the bores.