Mobile CT imaging system comprising a mobile CT imaging machine with an on-board digital radiography imager and/or an on-board ultrasound imager
An imaging system for imaging an object, the imaging system comprising: a housing having a center opening; a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising: a rotatable disc extending around the center opening; an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and a digital radiography imager comprising a detector plate mounted to the rotatable disc, the detector plate being configured to assume (i) a retracted position in which the detector plate is not aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the X-ray detector, and (ii) an extended position in which the detector plate is aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the detector plate.
1. An imaging system for imaging an object, the imaging system comprising:
a housing having a center opening;
a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
a rotatable disc extending around the center opening;
an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and
an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and
a digital radiography imager comprising a detector plate mounted to the rotatable disc, the detector plate being configured to assume (i) a retracted position in which the detector plate is not aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the X-ray detector, and (ii) an extended position in which the detector plate is aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the detector plate.
2. The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the X-ray emitter is configured to emit an X-ray beam having a first power level when the detector plate is disposed in its retracted position, and wherein the X-ray emitter is configured to emit an X-ray beam having a second power level when the detector plate is disposed in its extended position.
3. The imaging system according to claim 2 wherein the first power level is greater than the second power level.
4. The imaging system according to claim 1 , further comprising a motor for moving the detector plate between its retracted position and its extended position.
5. The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the detector plate is slidably mounted to the rotatable disc.
6. The imaging system according to claim 5 wherein the CT imaging unit comprises a rail and at least one telescoping arm for slidably moving the detector plate along the rail.
7. The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising an ultrasound imager.
8. The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a transport mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit, wherein the transport mechanism comprises (i) a gross movement mechanism for transporting the CT imaging unit across room distances, and (ii) a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to a patient, during scanning.
9. An imaging system for imaging an object, said imaging system comprising:
a housing having a center opening;
a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
a rotatable disc extending around the center opening;
an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and
an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and
an ultrasound imager.
10. The imaging system according to claim 9 wherein the housing comprises a cradle for receiving the ultrasound imager.
11. The imaging system according to claim 9 further comprising a visual display for displaying data obtained by the ultrasound imager.
12. The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a transport mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit, wherein the transport mechanism comprises (i) a gross movement mechanism for transporting the CT imaging unit across room distances, and (ii) a fine movement mechanism for moving the CT imaging unit precisely, relative to a patient, during scanning.
13. A method for imaging an object, the method comprising:
providing an imaging system comprising:
a housing having a center opening;
a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
a rotatable disc extending around the center opening;
an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and
an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and
a digital radiography imager comprising a detector plate mounted to the rotatable disc, the detector plate being configured to assume (i) a retracted position in which the detector plate is not aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the X-ray detector, and (ii) an extended position in which the detector plate is aligned with the X-ray beam, whereby to permit the X-ray beam to contact the detector plate;
positioning an object in the center opening;
passing the X-ray beam through the object disposed in the center opening; and
using one of the X-ray detector and the detector plate to detect the X-ray beam after it passes through the object disposed in the center opening.
14. The method according to claim 13 wherein using one of the X-ray detector and the detector plate to detect the X-ray beam comprises moving the detector plate to its extended position so that the detector plate detects the X-ray beam.
15. A method for imaging an object, the method comprising:
providing an imaging system comprising:
a housing having a center opening;
a CT imaging unit mounted to the housing, the CT imaging unit comprising:
a rotatable disc extending around the center opening;
an X-ray emitter mounted to the rotatable disc and configured to emit an X-ray beam; and
an X-ray detector mounted to the rotatable disc in alignment with the X-ray beam; and
an ultrasound imager;
positioning an object in the center opening; and
using at least one of the CT imaging unit and the ultrasound imager to image the object in the center opening.