Abstract: A mobile diagnostic imaging system includes a battery system and charging system. The battery system is located in the rotating portion of the imaging system, and includes one or more battery packs, comprising electrochemical cells. Each battery pack includes a control circuit that controls the state of charge of each electrochemical cell, and implements a control scheme that causes the electrochemical cells to have a similar charge state. The battery system communicates with a charging system on the non-rotating portion to terminate charge when one or more of the electrochemical cells reach a full state of charge. The imaging system also includes a docking system that electrically connects the charging system to the battery system during charging and temporarily electrically disconnects the rotating and non-rotating portions during imaging, and a drive mechanism for rotating the rotating portion relative to the non-rotating portion.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.

Abstract: Imaging systems having multiple radiation sources, such as x-ray sources, and multiple radiation detectors, such as flat-panel x-ray detectors and/or diagnostic-quality CT detectors, housed within an imaging gantry, for obtaining simultaneous images of an object positioned within a bore of the gantry in multiple imaging planes.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing robotically-assisted surgery in conjunction with intra-operative imaging. A method includes moving a robotic arm with respect to a patient and an imaging device to move an end effector of the robotic arm to a pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient based on imaging data of the patient obtained by the imaging device. The robotic arm maintains the end effector in the pre-determined position and orientation with respect to the patient and does not collide with the imaging device or with the patient when the imaging device moves with respect to the patient.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, which can be a mobile or stationary surgical CT imaging system or an MRI system, comprises an internal airflow cooling system that includes an air intake opening and an air outtake opening that are positioned near the ground and direct air flow away from the sterile surgical field.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.

Abstract: A detector system for an imaging system includes an airflow cooling system. The detector system includes a detector chassis, a duct extending along the length of the chassis, and a manifold that couples the duct to the interior of the chassis. A vacuum source, such as a suction fan, is coupled to the duct and generates a vacuum force within the duct. The chassis includes a plurality of inlet openings, with an airflow path being defined through the interior of the chassis between the inlet openings and the manifold. The suction fan pulls cooling air through the inlet openings, through the chassis and manifold to the duct, and then expels the air through an exhaust opening. The airflow is directed into thermal contact with detector elements and associated electronics in the detector chassis to provide cooling of these components.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.

Abstract: A detector system for an imaging system includes an airflow cooling system. The detector system includes a detector chassis, a duct extending along the length of the chassis, and a manifold that couples the duct to the interior of the chassis. A vacuum source, such as a suction fan, is coupled to the duct and generates a vacuum force within the duct. The chassis includes a plurality of inlet openings, with an airflow path being defined through the interior of the chassis between the inlet openings and the manifold. The suction fan pulls cooling air through the inlet openings, through the chassis and manifold to the duct, and then expels the air through an exhaust opening. The airflow is directed into thermal contact with detector elements and associated electronics in the detector chassis to provide cooling of these components.

Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, which can be positioned along at an isocenter of the imaging system. The system can include a source and a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry on a rotor. The system can include a move control module that sets move data for each of the source, detector and rotor that causes the source, detector and rotor to move in a desired motion profile to acquire image data of a portion of the subject off the isocenter of the imaging system.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, which can be a mobile or stationary surgical CT imaging system or an MRI system, comprises an internal airflow cooling system that includes an air intake opening and an air outtake opening that are positioned near the ground and direct air flow away from the sterile surgical field.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a first portion and a second portion that translates and/or rotates with respect to the first portion. A first locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from translating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport of the system. A second locking mechanism may prevent the second portion from rotating with respect to the first portion, such as during transport and/or during an imaging scan. Further embodiments include a cable management system between the first and second portions, a spherically-shaped surface of a support gimbal and a user interface device for an imaging system.

Abstract: A mobile imaging device includes a base having at least one caster, a first drive mechanism that moves the system in a transport mode and translates an imaging component relative to the base in a scan mode, and a second drive mechanism that extends caster relative to the base to raise the base off the ground in the transport mode, and retracts the caster relative to the base to lower the base to the ground in the scan mode. A caster system for a mobile apparatus includes a base containing a housing and a caster, attached to the base, the caster having a wheel defining a wheel axis and a swivel joint defining a swivel axis and a pivot point defining a pivot axis, wherein the caster pivots on the pivot axis as the caster is retracted into the housing and extended out of the housing.

Abstract: A diagnostic imaging system, which can be a mobile or stationary surgical CT imaging system or an MRI system, comprises an internal airflow cooling system that includes an air intake opening and an air outtake opening that are positioned near the ground and direct air flow away from the sterile surgical field.

Abstract: A drive mechanism for a mobile imaging system comprises a main drive geared into a drive wheel for propelling the imaging system, including a base and one or more imaging components, across a surface. The drive mechanism can also include a scan drive that moves the drive mechanism and the one or more imaging components along an axis relative to the base to provide an imaging scan, and a suspension drive that extends the drive wheel relative to a bottom surface when the imaging system is in a transport mode and retracts the drive wheel relative to the bottom surface of the base when the imaging system is in an imaging mode. The drive wheel supports the weight of the imaging components, but does not directly support the base assembly, which can include pedestal and tabletop support. One or more casters located on the base can support the weight of the base assembly.

Abstract: An imaging system and methods including a gantry defining a bore and an imaging axis extending through the bore, and at least one support member that supports the gantry such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, where the gantry is displaceable with respect to the at least one support member in a generally vertical direction. The imaging system may be configured to obtain a vertical imaging scan (e.g., a helical x-ray CT scan), of a patient in a weight-bearing position. The gantry may be rotatable between a first position, in which the gantry is supported such that the imaging axis has a generally vertical orientation, and a second position, such that the imaging axis has a generally horizontal orientation. The gantry may be displaceable in a horizontal direction and the system may perform a horizontal scan of a patient or object positioned within the bore.

Abstract: A system and a method for acquiring image data of a subject with an imaging system is provided. The system can include a gantry that completely annularly encompasses at least a portion of the subject, which can be positioned along at an isocenter of the imaging system. The system can include a source and a detector positioned within and movable relative to the gantry on a rotor. The system can include a move control module that sets move data for each of the source, detector and rotor that causes the source, detector and rotor to move in a desired motion profile to acquire image data of a portion of the subject off the isocenter of the imaging system.

Abstract: Imaging systems having multiple radiation sources, such as x-ray sources, and multiple radiation detectors, such as flat-panel x-ray detectors and/or diagnostic-quality CT detectors, housed within an imaging gantry, for obtaining simultaneous images of an object positioned within a bore of the gantry in multiple imaging planes.