Anatomical imaging system with centipede belt drive
An imaging system including a scanner and a transport mechanism mounted to the base of the scanner, wherein the transport mechanism includes a gross movement mechanism for transporting the scanner relatively quickly across room distances and a fine movement mechanism for moving the scanner precisely, relative to the object being scanned, during scanning.
1. An imaging system comprising:
a scanner; and
a transport mechanism mounted to a base of the scanner, wherein the transport mechanism comprises:
a gross movement mechanism for transporting the scanner relatively quickly across room distances; and
a fine movement mechanism for moving the scanner precisely, relative to object being scanned, during scanning;
wherein the fine movement mechanism comprises a rotatable element which engages a floor and rotates along the floor so as to move the scanner.
2. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the rotatable element comprises a wheel.
3. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the scanner comprises a CT machine.
4. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the object comprises anatomy.
5. An imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the gross movement mechanism comprises a wheel.
6. A method for scanning an object, the method comprising:
providing an imaging system, the imaging system comprising:
a scanner; and
a transport mechanism mounted to a base of the scanner, wherein the transport mechanism comprises:
a gross movement mechanism for transporting the scanner relatively quickly across room distances; and
a fine movement mechanism for moving the scanner precisely, relative to the object being scanned, during scanning;
wherein the fine movement mechanism comprises a rotatable element which engages a floor and rotates along the floor so as to move the scanner;
transporting the scanner to the object, across room distances, using the gross movement mechanism; and
while moving the scanner precisely, relative to the object, with the fine movement mechanism, scanning the object.
7. A method according to claim 6 wherein the rotatable element comprises a wheel.
8. A method according to claim 6 wherein the scanner comprises a CT machine.
9. A method according to claim 6 wherein the object comprises anatomy.
10. A method according to claim 6 wherein the gross movement mechanism comprises a wheel.