Patient display system for a medical imaging or radiotherapy apparatus

Abstract

A medical imaging and / or radiotherapy apparatus incorporates a display for projecting a visible image to a patient lying on a patient table. A projector projecting the visual image moves in cooperation with the patient table so that it appears to the patient to be motionless. In exemplary embodiments, the projector projects the visible image within a patient tunnel of the medical apparatus, including in some embodiments an extended field of view medical imaging apparatus. In other exemplary embodiments, the projector projects the visible image on a screen above the patient table of a tunnel-less medical apparatus. The projector is maintained outside the imaging response line of the detector within the imaging field or outside the radiotherapy beam area to avoid potential degradation of captured diagnostic images or degradation of the radiotherapy beam.

Description

[0001] Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research

[0002] This invention was made with government support under CA225874 awarded by the National Institutes of Health. The government has certain rights in the invention. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to medical imaging and / or radiotherapy apparatus that incorporate displays for projecting information visible to a patient during an imaging procedure. More particularly, in some embodiments, video images visible to a patient when a patient display is projected within a patient tunnel of such medical apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] By way of non-limiting example, diagnostic medical imaging apparatus include computed tomography (CT), two-dimensional digital radiography (DR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) modalities. By way of non-limiting example, hybrid modalities include PET / CT, PET / MRI, SPECT / CT, and SPECT / MRI, which combine the local imaging resolution advantages of CT or MRI with sensitivity for imaging and detecting cellular and metabolic biological processes in a patient in a single system. Some embodiments of medical radiotherapy apparatus incorporate linear accelerators or other devices that emit electromagnetic or other forms of radiation or particles (e.g., electrons, protons, or neutrons) for tumor treatment. Some hybrid imaging / radiotherapy medical apparatus provide image-guided radiotherapy by combining a medical imaging apparatus (e.g., MRI, PET, CT modality) with a linear accelerator or other therapeutic radiation beam generating device. Many of the above-described medical imaging apparatus or systems (with or without radiotherapy treatment capability) include a ring-shaped gantry structure having a central imaging tunnel through which a translatable patient table is inserted. The gantry also includes one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors that emit electrons in response to incident photons of electromagnetic radiation. In some modalities, the incident photons are transmitted X-ray or ionizing radiation emissions at the higher end of the electromagnetic frequency range (e.g., CT, DR, PET, SPECT), while in other modalities (e.g., MRI), the incident photons are in the radio frequency range. The output electrons of the detectors are processed by detector electronics to generate detector output signals, which are subsequently processed by the imaging apparatus to generate or construct patient images. In some imaging systems, the detector electronics are packaged with the detectors in an integrated detector assembly housed within the gantry structure. Some radiotherapy apparatus also incorporate a patient tunnel.

[0005] Some patients undergoing diagnostic imaging or radiation therapy procedures experience claustrophobia or other forms of anxiety or other emotional discomfort, which can be caused by the prospect of having to undergo the procedure itself or by the application of immobilization equipment to avoid patient movement while they are in the relatively narrow confines of the imaging tunnel or patient tunnel during the procedure. As new generations of imaging devices expand their axial field of view (FOV), patient tunnel length has increased from about one meter to two meters. For example, combined PET / CT imaging systems share a common imaging tunnel with sequentially aligned PET and CT imaging fields. The anxiety or other emotional discomfort of patients who are uncomfortable in a one meter imaging or patient tunnel can increase when they are placed in a longer one to two meter FOV imaging tube, such as those in PET / CT systems, whether from heightened claustrophobia or a perceived greater sense of darkness. Other patients who tolerate placement in a shorter one meter imaging tube can experience anxiety or other emotional discomfort in a longer FOV imaging tube. Yet other patients experience discomfort during a scanning procedure from repeated back and forth motion of the patient table. Some medical imaging procedures are lengthy, increasing the likelihood that a patient will experience one or more of impatience, involuntary movement, attention deficit, or dissatisfaction. All of the above negative emotional experiences are particularly severe for pediatric patients.

[0006] During some medical imaging and / or radiation therapy procedures, patients are given verbal information, such as the time remaining until the end of the procedure, or sequential instructions to remain still or hold their breath. Verbal instructions are difficult to hear from within the patient tunnel, particularly given the background noise generated in the tunnel by system components during a scanning or radiation therapy procedure, especially for patients with impaired hearing. SUMMARY

[0007] Exemplary embodiments of medical imaging and / or radiation therapy devices described herein incorporate a display for projecting a visible image visible to a patient lying on a patient table during a diagnostic imaging or radiation therapy procedure. In some embodiments, the projected visual image moves in tandem with the patient table so that it appears relatively motionless to the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the visible image is projected within the extended field of view, scanning or patient tunnel of the medical imaging device or radiation therapy. In no-tunnel medical imaging or radiation therapy device exemplary embodiments, the visible image is projected on a screen or other surface (e.g., a wall or ceiling in the imaging room) that moves in tandem with the patient table above the patient table. In some embodiments, the projected image includes one or more of patient instructions, mood-enhancing images or lighting, or entertainment video.

[0008] By moving the projected display image in cooperation with the mobile patient table of the medical device, the patient's eyes appear to be in a relatively fixed position. This reduces the likelihood of patient eye fatigue, motion sickness, or involuntary movement, which might otherwise occur if the projected image appeared to bounce on the inner surface of the patient's conduit or on a head-top screen. Fixed appearing written image instructions are easily read by the patient, avoiding the need to shout or broadcast verbal procedure instructions to the patient inside the patient's conduit using a loudspeaker. Fixed projected image clarity allows the patient to enjoy light entertainment videos and / or mood lighting to help avoid or overcome one or more of anxiety, impatience, involuntary movement, and general dissatisfaction during the procedure.

[0009] In embodiments disclosed herein, the projector for projecting the visual image is located outside the imaging response line of the medical scanner whose detector acquires patient image data during a scanning procedure. In this orientation, the projector does not potentially degrade the patient image data and reconstructed images because its physical structure does not interfere with electromagnetic scan transmissions in the active scan field of view or impede the ability of the active radiation detector in the FOV to detect those transmissions. In embodiments disclosed herein, the projector is located outside the transmission radiation beam region of the radiotherapy device so as not to interfere with the beam(s).

[0010] In some embodiments, the projector is directly coupled to a stationary (i.e., static) or translatable patient table (e.g., at the head end or foot end of the table) and projects the visual image into the patient / imaging tunnel or onto a screen above the patient table. In some embodiments, the screen is part of the ceiling of the imaging room housing the imaging and / or radiotherapy device. As such, the projected visual image of the projector moves in cooperation with the same speed as the mobile table. In other embodiments, the projector is coupled to a translatable track or robotic arm that moves the projected visual image of the projector in cooperation with the same speed as the patient table.

[0011] Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein feature a patient display system for a medical imaging device. The device includes a gantry that generates an imaging response line in a diagnostic imaging field. A patient table is selectively translatable through the diagnostic imaging field of the gantry at a first speed, although in some embodiments the patient table is stationary during a scanning procedure. A translatable visual image projector that accesses a visual image projects the visual image at a location above the patient table that is visible to a patient lying on the patient table. The projector is translatable in cooperation with the patient table such that the projected visual image is translatable in cooperation with the first speed and appears to be motionless relative to the patient table. In imaging devices having a static patient table, the projector is also static. However, whether the patient table is stationary or translatable, the projector is always maintained outside the imaging response line in the imaging field in which the imaging device is acquiring patient image data.

[0012] Other example embodiments disclosed herein feature a method for displaying a visual image to a patient during a diagnostic imaging scan procedure using a medical imaging device. The method is practiced with the medical imaging device by generating an imaging response line in a diagnostic imaging field using a gantry of the medical imaging device. A patient on a patient table is selectively translated through the diagnostic imaging field generated by the gantry at a first speed such that the device acquires patient image data in the imaging response line. In some embodiments, the patient table is stationary during the imaging procedure, so its speed is zero. A translatable visual image projector projects the acquired visual image in a position above the patient table that is visible to the patient lying on the patient table. The visual image projector is outside the imaging response line when the device is acquiring image data. The projector is cooperatively translated with the patient table such that the projected visual image is cooperatively translated at the first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table. The projector always remains outside the imaging response line in the imaging field as it is acquiring patient image data.

[0013] Additional example embodiments disclosed herein feature a patient display system for a dual modality PET / CT medical imaging device. The medical imaging device includes a gantry that includes an extended field of view imaging tunnel that in some embodiments has an axial length greater than one meter. The gantry is capable of generating a first imaging response line in a PET diagnostic imaging field through the imaging tunnel; and a second imaging response line in a CT diagnostic imaging field axially adjacent the PET imaging field. In either diagnostic imaging field, a patient table is selectively translatable through the imaging tunnel at a first speed. A visual image projector that accesses a visual image projects the acquired visual image on a wall of the imaging tunnel in a position that is visible to the patient lying on the patient table. The projector is cooperatively translated with the patient table such that the projected visual image is cooperatively translated at the first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table. The projector always remains outside the respective imaging response line of one of the respective imaging fields as it is acquiring patient image data.

[0014] Respective features of the example embodiments described herein can be applied collectively or separately in any combination or sub-combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0015] The example embodiments are further described by way of example with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 is an end elevational view of a dual PET / CT modality medical imaging device incorporating an embodiment of a patient display system, with a visual imaging projector coupled to the head end of its patient table projecting a visual image into its imaging tube;

[0017] Figure 2 is Figure 1is an axial sectional view of a medical imaging apparatus of the first embodiment showing a patient on a patient table in a first axial scan position in a PET scan portion of an imaging tube thereof;

[0018] Figure 3 is Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a medical imaging apparatus of the first embodiment showing a patient on a patient table in a second axial scan position in a PET scan portion of an imaging tube thereof;

[0019] Figure 4 is Figure 1 is an axial sectional view of a medical imaging apparatus of the first embodiment showing a patient on a patient table in a CT scan portion of an imaging tube thereof;

[0020] Figure 5 is an axial sectional view of a dual PET / CT modality medical imaging apparatus incorporating another embodiment of a patient display system, wherein a visual imaging projector is coupled to a foot end of a patient table thereof, projecting visual images into an imaging tube thereof;

[0021] Figure 6 is an axial sectional view of a dual PET / CT modality medical imaging apparatus incorporating another embodiment of a patient display system, wherein a visual imaging projector is coupled to a translatable rail, the translational speed of which cooperates with the translational speed of a patient table thereof, the projector projecting visual images into an imaging tube thereof;

[0022] Figure 7 is an axial sectional view of a dual PET / CT modality medical imaging apparatus incorporating another embodiment of a patient display system, wherein a visual imaging projector is coupled to a robotic, multi-link arm, the translational speed of which cooperates with the translational speed of a patient table thereof, the projector projecting visual images into an imaging tube thereof;

[0023] Figure 8 is a side elevational view of a dual SPECT / CT modality medical imaging apparatus incorporating another embodiment of a patient display system, wherein a visual imaging projector is coupled to a foot end of a patient table thereof, wherein visual images are projected onto a ceiling screen above the patient table.

[0024] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements common to the figures. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Exemplary embodiments of patient displays for medical imaging and / or radiotherapy systems described herein project a visible image to a patient lying on a translatable patient table of the system. In embodiments incorporating a translating or otherwise moving patient table, as opposed to a stationary or static patient table, the projected visible image moves in coordination with the patient table such that it appears relatively motionless to the patient. In exemplary embodiments, the visible image is projected within a patient tunnel, sometimes referred to as an imaging tunnel or a scanning tunnel; whether in a standard or extended field of view medical imaging and / or radiotherapy device. In other exemplary embodiments, the visible image is projected on a screen above the patient table of a tunnel-less medical imaging and / or radiotherapy device. By way of non-limiting example, medical imaging devices include computed tomography (CT), two-dimensional digital radiography (DR), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) modalities. These patient displays are also used for hybrid modality devices, including by way of non-limiting example, PET / CT, PET / MRI, SPECT / CT, and SPECT / MRI imaging systems. Many imaging devices or systems include a ring-shaped gantry structure with a central imaging tunnel through which a translatable patient table is inserted. The gantry also includes one or more electromagnetic radiation detectors that emit electrons in response to incident photons of electromagnetic radiation. Some embodiments of radiotherapy devices incorporate a gantry and patient tunnel around which a linear accelerator or other radiation beam generating device and a translatable or stationary patient table are moved, while other embodiments have an open gantry supporting the beam generating device.

[0026] The patient display system includes a projector that is located outside the imaging response line of the medical scanner's detector used during an imaging scan procedure. In all of the described imaging devices, it is desirable to avoid placing anything other than the patient in the imaging response line of the medical scanner's detector to minimize distortion in the scan image. When other objects are located in the active scan field of view (FOV) of the medical imaging device, they have the potential to interfere with electromagnetic scan transmissions and / or impede the ability of the active radiation detectors in the FOV to detect those transmissions. Similarly, in radiotherapy devices, the projector is located outside the radiation beam transmission field to avoid interruption of the transmitted beam.

[0027] The patient display system's projector moves in cooperation with the patient table of the imaging and / or radiotherapy system at the same speed and direction so that the projected image appears to the patient to be in the same constant position relative to her or his eyes. The constant relative orientation position of the projected image helps to reduce the tendency of the patient to move or feel motion sickness compared to viewing a projection that bounces above the patient table. In some embodiments, the cooperative movement of the patient table and the projector is achieved by mounting or otherwise coupling the projector directly to the patient table. In other embodiments, the projector is coupled to a translatable rail or arm that moves the projector at the same speed and in cooperation with the patient table. In imaging and / or radiotherapy devices that incorporate a stationary or static patient table, the projector is also stationary and located outside the imaging response line of the medical scanner's detector used during the imaging scan procedure and outside the radiotherapy radiation beam transport field.

[0028] In Figures 1-5 embodiments, the extended FOV, PET / CT, dual modality imaging device or system 10 includes a gantry 12 that incorporates a cylindrical imaging tunnel 14, sometimes referred to as an imaging passageway. The axial end caps of the gantry are removed, exposing the imaging tunnel walls 16. The gantry 12 defines a PET scan field 18 and a CT scan field 20. A patient table 22 is located in the imaging tunnel 14 and is translatable along a translation axis X to axially move a patient P through the PET scan field 18 and / or the CT scan field 20. Patient image data is acquired by radiation detectors in the imaging line or response located within the PET scan field 18 or within the CT scan field 20. More specifically, the PET scan field 18 is established within the axial length of a radiation detector array 26 that includes a plurality of axially aligned rows and circumferentially aligned columns of radiation detector heads. The imaging device 10 is constructed and operated in a known manner to obtain PET and / or CT images of the patient P. The patient table 22 has a known construction and operation, and therefore no specific details are described regarding its translation motion control.

[0029] Figure 2 and Figure 3 A column of thirteen detector heads is shown located at the twelve o'clock circumferential position in the radiation detector array 26; these include detector heads 261-266 and 2613. The PET scanner portion of the imaging device 10 is constructed and operated in a known manner. Radiopharmaceutical emitted positrons detected by the detector heads in the radiation detector array 26 from radiation absorbed by the patient. The detector heads in the detector array 26 that sense the patient emitted positrons are designated to be within the imaging response line of the detector. For example, when the patient P is on the patient table 22 at the axial position shown, the detector head 262 defines the leftmost axial side of the imaging response line of the detector, while the detector head 2613 defines the rightmost axial side of the same imaging line of the detector. In Figure 2 Figure 3 ​In the middle, patient P is now positioned closer to the CT scan field portion 20 of imaging device 10. Detector head 266 now defines the leftmost axial side of the imaging responsive line of detectors, while detector head 2613 defines the rightmost axial side of the line. During many PET scan procedures, patient table 22 is translated along the translation axis X, left and right, so various detector heads within a column of detectors are portions outside the imaging responsive line of detectors.

[0030] In Figure 1 In the middle, patient imaging system 27 includes a projector 28 for projecting visual images 30 visible to patient P lying on patient table 22 during diagnostic imaging procedures. In all figures, the boundaries of the projected images 30 are shown in long dashed lines, while the portion of the patient’s field of view related to viewing the projected images is shown in shorter dashed lines. Projector 28 is an off-the-shelf portable video projector commonly used to project viewable images on walls, ceilings, viewing screens, and other surfaces. In some embodiments, projector 28 flattens the projected images so that they appear flat when projected onto a curved surface, such as the curved surface of imaging tunnel wall 16.

[0031] Projector 28 projects images obtained from non-transitory image files stored in a personal computer 32. In other embodiments, projector 28 obtains non-volatile image files stored in another type of accessible image storage device, such as a smartphone, tablet, SD card, flash drive, or portal in communication with a wired or wireless communication network. In some embodiments, the communication network includes a local area network and the Internet. In some embodiments, the stored images are stored in a memory device within the projector. In some embodiments, the projected images include one or more of patient instructions, mood-enhancing images or lighting, or entertainment videos. In Figures 2-8 In the middle, only projector 28 of patient imaging system is shown, but it is coupled to an internal or external image storage device storing visual images.

[0032] In Figures 1-4 In the middle, projector 28 is directly coupled to the head end 34 of patient table 22 by a mounting fixture 36. Mounting fixture 36 includes tilt 38 and pan 40 adjustment mechanisms for orienting the projected visual images 30 at a desired location within the extended FOV, patient or imaging tunnel passage 14 of PET / CT imaging device 10 along patient tunnel wall 16, also referred to as imaging tunnel wall or scan tunnel wall. Mounting fixture 36 orients projector 28 an axial distance above patient P on patient table 22 so that it remains outside the imaging responsive line of relevant detectors that acquire patient image data during an imaging scan. In this way, projector 28 does not potentially distort or otherwise degrade image data acquired by detectors in the imaging responsive line. For example, in Figure 2In FIG. 1 , the projector is located to the left of the detector head 262, which is the first detector in the detector row that acquires the PET image of the patient P. When the patient table is in Figure 2 In the position shown in , the detector head 261 is not currently in the imaging line of response for this PET scan. In contrast, when the patient table 22 is in Figure 3 In the positions shown, the detector heads 261-265 are not currently in the imaging lines of response for the PET scan, so the orientation of the projector 28 below any of them does not distort the acquired scan data. In many types of scanning protocols, the patient table is translated back and forth along the X-axis during the scanning procedure, thereby shifting the imaging lines of response. Similarly, in Figure 4 In FIG, a patient is undergoing a CT scanning procedure in which the projector 28 remains outside the imaging line of response of the CT scanning field 20. By mounting the projector 28 in a fixed position on the head end 34 of the patient table 22, its projected image 30 FOV (long dashed line in all figures) is maintained at a constant position relative to the patient's own visual FOV (short dashed line in all figures) because both the projector and the patient P are located on the same mobile patient table.

[0033] In other embodiments, the projector 28 is coupled to the imaging system 10 at a location other than the head end 34 of the patient table 22. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the projector 28 is coupled to the foot 42 of the patient table in a fixed position and remains outside the respective imaging response lines of the PET scanning field 18 and the CT scanning field 20. Figures 1-4 As with embodiments where the projector is mounted, the projector image 30 and the patient FOV remain in the same relative constant position as the table translates during the scanning procedure. In other embodiments, the projector is not mounted directly to the patient table 22. Figure 6 In the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the projector 28 is coupled to a translatable linear motion track 44, which is shown coupled directly to the gantry 12. The linear motion track 44 communicates with the motion control system (not shown) of the patient table 22 and moves at the same acceleration and rate speed / direction V X The projector 28 is translated in coordination with the patient table. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the projector is coupled to a robotic arm 46, and the robotic arm is indirectly coupled to the scanning device 10 and the gantry 12 by virtue of their common attachment to the floor of the imaging room. The robotic arm 46 communicates with the motion control system (not shown) of the patient table 22 and moves at the same acceleration and velocity / direction V X The projector 28 is translated in coordination with the patient table.

[0034] In an exemplary embodiment of a patient display system, the projected image is located at a position visible to the patient. Figures 1-7In embodiments of the patient display system of the present disclosure, the visual image 30 is projected on the imaging tunnel wall 16 within the patient or imaging tunnel passageway 14 of an extended FOV, PET / CT imaging device. In Figure 8 In tunnel-less medical imaging SPECT / CT devices 48, the projector 28 is mounted at the foot 42 of the patient table 22 and projects the visual image 30 on a ceiling mounted screen 50 above the patient table, thereby moving in cooperation with the patient table. In Figures 1-8 In embodiments of the patient display system of the present disclosure, the visual image 30 is projected on the imaging tunnel wall 16 within the patient or imaging tunnel passageway 14 of an extended FOV, PET / CT imaging device. In Figures 1-7 In embodiments of the patient display system of the present disclosure, the visual image 30 is projected on the imaging tunnel wall 16 within the patient or imaging tunnel passageway 14 of an extended FOV, PET / CT imaging device. In Figure 8 In embodiments of the patient display system of the present disclosure, the visual image 30 is projected on the imaging tunnel wall 16 within the patient or imaging tunnel passageway 14 of an extended FOV, PET / CT imaging device. In

[0035] Although Figures 1-8 The operation of the patient display system in the dual modality PET / CT device 10 or SPECT / CT imaging device 48 has been described, other embodiments of the display system are incorporated and used within other medical imaging modalities, such as CT, DR, MRI, PET, SPECT, PET / MRI and SPECT / MRI imaging devices. In MRI devices, embodiments of the projector and associated mounting hardware are approved for use in the high strength magnetic flux environment of the MRI imaging room. In some embodiments, the patient display system is used with a stationary or static patient table, in which case the projector is also stationary, but located outside the imaging response line of the medical scanner's detectors used during the imaging scan procedure. While the embodiments of the patient display system have been shown incorporated with medical imaging devices, by projecting a visual image on a patient tube or screen, they are also applicable to radiotherapy devices or combined imaging / radiotherapy devices (e.g., in image guided radiotherapy devices). Figures 1-8

[0036] ​In all embodiments of imaging and / or radiation therapy devices having a mobile patient table, the projected visual image 30 moves in cooperation with the patient P on the patient table 22 so that it appears relatively motionless to the patient. In some embodiments, the projector 28 is directly coupled to the patient table 22, while in other embodiments, the projector is directly or indirectly coupled to the medical device and / or its gantry (e.g., the scanner 10 and gantry 12), but it moves in cooperation with the acceleration and velocity of the patient table 22.

[0037] When patient displays are used in medical imaging and / or radiation therapy devices, visual images are projected into the patient tunnel or imaging tunnel or scanning tunnel of the device, or on a screen above the patient. As non-limiting examples, the visual images include patient instructions (e.g., "please hold your breath" or "please remain motionless"), patient information (e.g., "five minutes left in this procedure"), still or transient mood lighting, informational or entertainment videos, etc. The projected written patient information and / or instruction images help ensure that the patient understands what is required to be done during the imaging or radiation therapy procedure when the background noise and sound attenuation features of the medical device prevent her or him from hearing verbal instructions. This is especially helpful for patients with impaired hearing. Non-instructional, projected visual images including mood lighting or soothing picture images and entertainment videos as non-limiting examples help distract the patient's attention before and / or during the imaging or radiation therapy procedure to avoid or reduce emotional discomfort associated with experiencing the procedure or coping with restricted movement and / or limitations. A mood-calmed patient is less likely to make unintentional or intentional physical movements during the procedure, which benefits image scanning quality and / or positioning of the radiation therapy beam.

[0038] While various embodiments incorporating the present application are shown and described in some detail herein, those skilled in the art will readily devise many other varied embodiments that still incorporate the claimed application. The application is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the above description or illustrated in the drawings. The application is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless otherwise stated, the terms "mounted," "connected," "supported," and "coupled" and variations thereof are intended to include both direct and indirect mounting, connecting, supporting, and coupling. Furthermore, "connected" and "coupled" are not restricted to physical, mechanical, or electrical connections or couplings.

Claims

1. A patient display system for a medical imaging device, comprising: a gantry including an electromagnetic radiation source and at least one radiation detector that together generate a diagnostic imaging field including detector imaging lines of response located therebetween; a patient table selectively translatable at a first speed through the diagnostic imaging field of the gantry; a translatable visual image projector for accessing a visual image, for projecting the visual image onto a surface above a patient table at a position visible to a patient lying on the patient table, without any optical device interposed between the projector and the surface to intentionally distort or redirect the projected visual image; The projector translates in coordination with the patient table such that the projected visual image translates in coordination at a first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table; as well as The entire projector is always kept outside the imaging response line of the detector in the imaging field when the medical imaging device is acquiring patient image data.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein the rack further comprises: a patient tunnel through which the diagnostic imaging field is generated; a plurality of rows and columns of radiation detectors surrounding the patient tunnel, each respective detector emitting electrons in response to incident electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source and establishing a respective detector imaging line of response; and The projector projects the visual image directly onto the wall surface of the patient tunnel.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising the projector being directly coupled to a patient table.

4. The system of claim 2 , further comprising the projector being coupled to a translatable track or robotic arm located outside the gantry to translate in coordination with the patient table at a second speed such that the projected visual image translates in coordination with the first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table.

5. The system of claim 2, further comprising a projector mount coupled to the projector, the projector mount selectively adjusting a tilt and / or pan orientation of a projected visual image.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising the projector being directly coupled to a patient table.

7. The system of claim 1 , further comprising the projector being coupled to a translatable track or robotic arm located outside the gantry to translate in coordination with the patient table at a second speed such that the projected visual image translates in coordination with the first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a projector mount coupled to the projector, the projector mount selectively adjusting a tilt and / or pan orientation of a projected image.

9. The system of claim 2, further comprising: The gantry generates a plurality of detector imaging lines of response through the patient tunnel that collectively generate a diagnostic imaging field with an extended field of view, the patient tunnel having an axial length greater than one meter.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising the projector being directly coupled to a patient table.

11. The system according to claim 9, in a dual-mode medical imaging apparatus, further comprising: The gantry sequentially generates separate axially adjacent respective pluralities of first and second detector imaging lines of response of respective first and second diagnostic imaging fields through the patient tunnel; The entire projector always remains outside the corresponding detector imaging response line of any imaging field when it is acquiring patient image data.

12. The system of claim 11, further comprising the projector being directly coupled to a patient table.

13. The system of claim 11 , further comprising the projector being coupled to a translatable track or robotic arm located outside the gantry to translate in coordination with the patient table at a second speed such that the projected visual image translates in coordination with the first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table.

14. A method for displaying visual images to a patient using a medical imaging device during a diagnostic imaging scanning procedure, comprising: In a gantry of a medical imaging apparatus, a diagnostic imaging field is generated using an electromagnetic radiation source and at least one radiation detector that together generate a detector imaging line of response therebetween; selectively translating a patient on a patient table at a first speed through a diagnostic imaging field generated by the gantry such that the medical imaging device acquires patient image data in an imaging line of response; while the medical imaging device is acquiring images, projecting a visual image onto a surface above a patient table at a position visible to a patient lying on the patient table using a translatable visual image projector located outside the imaging line of response of the detector, without any optical device interposed between the projector and the surface to intentionally distort or redirect the projected visual image; as well as translating the projector in coordination with the patient table so that the projected visual image translates in coordination at a first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table; as well as The entire projector remains outside the detector imaging response line in the imaging field at all times while it is acquiring patient image data.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the projected visual image comprises patient instructions, and / or patient information regarding the scanning procedure, and / or static mood lighting, and / or transient mood lighting, and / or informational videos and / or entertainment videos.

16. The method according to claim 14, wherein the rack further comprises: a patient tunnel through which the imaging lines of response are generated; a plurality of rows and columns of radiation detectors surrounding the patient tunnel, each respective detector emitting electrons in response to incident electromagnetic radiation from the radiation source and establishing a respective detector imaging line of response; and The projector projects a visual image directly onto the wall surface of the patient tunnel.

17. The method according to claim 16, in a dual-mode medical imaging apparatus, further comprising: sequentially generating separate axially adjacent respective pluralities of first and second detector imaging lines of response of respective first and second diagnostic imaging fields through a patient tunnel of the gantry, the patient tunnel having an axial length greater than one meter; and The entire projector remains outside the detector imaging line of response of any imaging field at all times while it is acquiring patient image data.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the visual image comprises patient instructions, and / or patient information regarding the scanning procedure, and / or static mood lighting, and / or transient mood lighting, and / or informational video and / or entertainment video.

19. A patient display system for a dual-modality PET / CT medical imaging device, comprising: A rack comprising: Extended field of view imaging tunnel, which has an axial length greater than one meter, a PET diagnostic imaging system having a first electromagnetic radiation source and a plurality of rows and columns of first radiation detectors surrounding a patient tunnel that together generate a PET diagnostic imaging field, each respective first detector emitting electrons in response to incident electromagnetic radiation from said first electromagnetic radiation source and establishing respective first detector imaging lines of response therebetween; and a CT diagnostic imaging system axially adjacent to the PET diagnostic imaging system, the CT diagnostic imaging system having a second electromagnetic radiation source and a plurality of rows and columns of second radiation detectors surrounding the patient tunnel that together generate a CT diagnostic imaging field, each respective second detector emitting electrons in response to incident electromagnetic radiation from the second electromagnetic radiation source and establishing respective second detector imaging lines of response therebetween; a patient table selectively translatable at a first speed through an imaging tunnel in either a PET or CT diagnostic imaging field; a translatable visual image projector having access to a visual image for projecting the visual image onto a wall of the imaging tunnel at a position visible to a patient lying on a patient table, the projector and the wall being free of any optical device interposed therebetween to intentionally distort or redirect the projected visual image; The projector translates in coordination with the patient table such that the projected visual image translates in coordination at a first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table; and The entire projector always remains outside the corresponding detector imaging response line of one of the corresponding imaging fields when the device is acquiring patient image data.

20. A patient display system for a medical imaging and / or radiotherapy apparatus, comprising: a gantry having an imaging system including an electromagnetic radiation source and at least one radiation detector that together generate a diagnostic imaging field including a detector imaging line of response therebetween and a radiation therapy system that generates a treatment beam region; a patient table in the diagnostic imaging field or treatment beam area of ​​the gantry; a visual image projector for accessing the visual image, for projecting the visual image directly above the patient table at a location visible to a patient lying on the patient table without any optical device interposed between the projector and the wall that intentionally distorts or redirects the projected visual image; The entire projector remains outside the detector imaging line of response in the imaging field at all times when the apparatus is acquiring patient image data or outside the radiotherapy beam region during beam generation.

21. The system of claim 20, the gantry further comprising a patient tunnel through which the detector imaging response lines and / or radiotherapy beams are generated; and the projector projects the visual image directly onto a wall surface of the patient tunnel.

22. A patient display system for a medical imaging and radiation therapy apparatus, comprising: a gantry having an imaging system including an electromagnetic radiation source and at least one radiation detector that together generate a diagnostic imaging field including a detector imaging line of response therebetween and a radiation therapy system that generates a treatment beam region; a patient table selectively translatable at a first speed through the diagnostic imaging field and treatment beam region of the gantry; a translatable visual image projector for accessing a visual image, for projecting the visual image onto a surface above a patient table at a location visible to a patient lying on the patient table, the projector and the wall being free of any optical devices interposed therebetween to intentionally distort or redirect the projected visual image; The projector translates in coordination with the patient table such that the projected visual image translates in coordination at a first speed and appears motionless relative to the patient table; as well as The entire projector always remains outside the detector imaging line of response in the imaging field when the apparatus is acquiring patient image data or outside the treatment beam region of the gantry during beam generation.

23. The system of claim 22, the gantry further comprising a patient tunnel having an axial length greater than one meter, through which the detector imaging response lines and / or radiotherapy beams are generated; and the projector projects visual images directly onto a wall surface of the patient tunnel.

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