Multi-Modality Patient Table Alignment for Accurate Image Registration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Multi-modality imaging systems face challenges in aligning different imaging modalities, such as SPECT and CT, due to misregistration of coordinate systems, which leads to inaccurate image localization and incorrect attenuation correction, and require extensive space and complex patient positioning, making it difficult to accommodate whole body scans and patient comfort during procedures.
Innovation Solution
A patient table system with a top plate and rails that allows for sliding and pivoting motion along an examination axis, enabling precise alignment and translation between imaging modalities while maintaining patient stability and comfort, ensuring consistent image registration across different modalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a co-axial imaging assembly arrangement is used to align SPECT and CT coordinate systems, then image registration accuracy is improved, but the required axial travel distance increases, causing patient table bending and positioning difficulties
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a co-axial arrangement (single dimension alignment) to a side-by-side arrangement with lateral offset (adding a second dimensional component). The patient table is positioned laterally between two imaging assemblies rather than centrally along a single axis, allowing both modalities to image the same region without requiring extreme axial travel distances that would cause table bending.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a long axial travel distance is required to accommodate both imaging modalities in a co-axial system, then both modalities can image the region of interest, but the patient table must be extremely long, inducing bending and changing patient position
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging system is segmented into two separate imaging assemblies positioned side-by-side rather than stacked co-axially. Each assembly can independently image the region of interest without requiring the patient table to travel extreme distances, thereby maintaining patient position stability and preventing table bending.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple modality systems are installed to provide comprehensive imaging, then diagnostic capability is improved, but floor space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Two separate imaging modalities (SPECT and CT) are merged into a single integrated system with shared patient positioning and table infrastructure. The side-by-side arrangement allows both modalities to operate from the same patient support structure, reducing the total floor space compared to completely separate systems while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for examining a patient is provided. The apparatus includes a top plate, at least one top rail slideably coupled to said top plate, said top plate selectively positionable between a first imaging position and a second imaging position along an examination axis, a support member coupled to said at least one top rail, said support member configured to selectively change a position of said top plate along an axis perpendicular to said examination axis, said support member comprises at least one guide pin slideably coupled to said at least one rail during movement of said support member, said guide pin configured to retain said support member to said at least one top rail when said top rail is moved between a first modality position and a second modality position.