Abstract: A PET-MRI apparatus includes a patient support assembly having a cradle to accommodate a subject, a carriage assembly to attach to the cradle and cause the cradle to selectively travel, and a rear bridge to receive the cradle and carriage. The patient support assembly also includes a front bridge to receive the cradle and carriage assembly and provide for translation therealong, with the front bridge including a first section and a second section that is spaced apart from the first section to form a gap in the front bridge between the first section and the second section in an area adjacent a PET detector array of the PET-MRI apparatus. The front and rear bridges include an anti-tip rail assembly to interact with the cradle and the carriage assembly so as to prevent tipping thereof when traversing over the gap between the first and second sections of the front bridge.

Abstract: A table driving system of a patient table is disclosed. The table driving system comprises one or more carriage unit capable of moving along a base member of the patient table. The patient table comprises a table top, the base member and a table lifting unit connected to the base members and a bottom portion of the table top. The table driving system also includes one or more actuating units. An actuating unit has its ends operatively connected to a carriage unit and the table lifting unit. The actuating unit is configured to retractably extend to operate the table lifting unit for the table top to attain a raised configuration and a lowered configuration. The carriage unit is configured to move along the base member to facilitate the operation of the actuating unit.

Abstract: A system and method for adjusting the height of a portion of a patient support table to accommodate various types of patients is disclosed. The patient support table includes a center section that is movable relative to first and second sections located on opposite sides of the center section. A lift mechanism is mounted to the support table to raise and lower the center section relative to the stationary first and second sections. When the center section is in its fully raised position, the patient support platform can be moved into and out of the medical scanning device by a platform drive mechanism. The lift mechanism is contained within the patient support table. The platform drive mechanism can be mounted either on the patient support table or on the medical scanning device, depending upon whether the patient support table is stationary or movable.

Abstract: A PET-MRI apparatus includes a patient support assembly having a cradle to accommodate a subject, a carriage assembly to attach to the cradle and cause the cradle to selectively travel, and a rear bridge to receive the cradle and carriage. The patient support assembly also includes a front bridge to receive the cradle and carriage assembly and provide for translation therealong, with the front bridge including a first section and a second section that is spaced apart from the first section to form a gap in the front bridge between the first section and the second section in an area adjacent a PET detector array of the PET-MRI apparatus. The front and rear bridges include an anti-tip rail assembly to interact with the cradle and the carriage assembly so as to prevent tipping thereof when traversing over the gap between the first and second sections of the front bridge.

Abstract: A PET-MRI apparatus includes a patient support assembly having a cradle to accommodate a subject, a carriage assembly to attach to the cradle and cause the cradle to selectively travel, and a rear bridge to receive the cradle and carriage. The patient support assembly also includes a front bridge to receive the cradle and carriage assembly and provide for translation therealong, with the front bridge including a first section and a second section that is spaced apart from the first section to form a gap in the front bridge between the first section and the second section in an area adjacent a PET detector array of the PET-MRI apparatus. The front and rear bridges include an anti-tip rail assembly to interact with the cradle and the carriage assembly so as to prevent tipping thereof when traversing over the gap between the first and second sections of the front bridge.

Abstract: A PET-MRI apparatus includes a patient support assembly having a cradle to accommodate a subject, a carriage assembly to attach to the cradle and cause the cradle to selectively travel, and a rear bridge to receive the cradle and carriage. The patient support assembly also includes a front bridge to receive the cradle and carriage assembly and provide for translation therealong, with the front bridge including a first section and a second section that is spaced apart from the first section to form a gap in the front bridge between the first section and the second section in an area adjacent a PET detector array of the PET-MRI apparatus. The front and rear bridges include an anti-tip rail assembly to interact with the cradle and the carriage assembly so as to prevent tipping thereof when traversing over the gap between the first and second sections of the front bridge.

Abstract: A detachable latching mechanism is disclosed herein. The latching mechanism for latching a first apparatus to a second apparatus comprises: a detachable housing configured to be attached to the first apparatus. The housing includes a first and second housing member forming a channel there between. The latching mechanism includes a first latch supported by the first housing member and biased to extend into the channel in a first direction and a second latch supported by the second housing member and biased to extend into the channel in a second direction opposite from the first direction. Further the latching mechanism is provided with a latching member having a first end configured to be attached to the second apparatus and a second end having a protrusion configured to push against the first and second latches to move them apart when the latching member is inserted into the channel. The movements of the latches are perpendicular to the movement of the latching member.