Off-magnet patient scan positioning

Abstract

To position an imaging subject (16) in an imaging or therapy system (10), an imaging subject (16) is arranged on a linearly translatable tabletop (26) disposed on a movable trolley (30). A position of a region of interest (24) of the imaging subject along the linearly translatable tabletop is selected using an elongated position selector (40, 40', 40'') that is elongated in a translation direction (z) of the linearly translatable tabletop (26). After the selecting, the movable trolley is docked with the imaging or therapy system (10). After the docking, the tabletop is linearly translated to move the imaging subject to the imaging or therapy system, the amount of linear translating being based on the selected position of a region of interest along the linearly translatable tabletop.

Description

technical field [0001] The following relates to medical imaging techniques. It has particular application in Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and will be described with specific reference to Magnetic Resonance Imaging. However, it also has applications in magnetic resonance spectroscopy, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging, computed tomography (CT) imaging, radiation therapy, and other imaging and treatment modalities, Therein, a patient or other imaging subject is aligned with the imaging or treatment system. Background technique [0002] Medical imaging or treatment is typically directed to a region of interest, such as the heart, lungs, brain, arms, legs, torso, or sometimes the entire body. For radiation therapy, the cancerous organ is typically targeted. Typically, an MRI scanner or other medical device used to perform imaging or therapy is stationary and images or otherwise operates on a fixed volum...

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Problems solved by technology

Such movement may be uncomfortable for the patient

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