Multi-axis medical imaging
Provided herein is technology relating to radiology and radiotherapy and particularly, but not exclusively, to apparatuses, methods, and systems for multi-axis medical imaging of patients in vertical and horizontal positions.
1 . A rapid multi-axis computed tomography (RMACT) scanner comprising:
a first stanchion coupled to a first gantry arm, a second stanchion coupled to a second gantry arm, and a scanner ring;
a bottom bridge and a top bridge that connect the first gantry arm to the second gantry arm; and
a patient support that is connected to the bottom bridge and the top bridge.
2 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , structured to rotate said patient support between a vertical and a horizontal position.
3 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , wherein said first stanchion comprises a motor operatively engaged with said first gantry arm and/or said second stanchion comprises a motor operatively engaged with said second gantry arm.
4 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , wherein said first gantry arm comprises a motor operatively engaged with said first stanchion and/or said second gantry arm comprises a motor operatively engaged with said second stanchion.
5 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , wherein said scanner ring comprises an x-ray source and an x-ray detector.
6 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , wherein said scanner ring has an inner diameter of at least 20 cm.
7 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , wherein said scanner ring has a mass of approximately 1000 kg.
8 . The RMACT scanner of claim 1 , wherein said scanner ring draws approximately 300 mA of current, provides approximately 4 or more×40-cm scans in an hour, and provides a field of view of approximately 63 cm.
9 . A method for obtaining medical images, the method comprising:
providing a rapid multi-axis computed tomography (RMACT) scanner comprising:
a first stanchion coupled to a first gantry arm, a second stanchion coupled to a second gantry arm and a scanner ring;
a bottom bridge and a top bridge that connect the first gantry arm to the second gantry arm; and
a patient support that is connected to the bottom bridge and the top bridge;
imaging a patient in a vertical position to obtain a first image; and
imaging said patient in a horizontal position to obtain a second image.
10 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising comparing the first image and the second image.
11 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising maintaining the patient on the patient support between imaging the patient in a vertical position and imaging the patient in a horizontal position.
12 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising diagnosing the patient using said first image.
13 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising planning a surgery or treatment using said second image.
14 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising positioning said patient on said patient support.
15 . The method of claim 9 , further comprising rotating the first gantry arm and the second gantry arm with respect to the first stanchion and the second stanchion prior to imaging the patient in a horizontal position.
16 . A system comprising a rapid multi-axis computed tomography (RMACT) scanner comprising:
a first stanchion coupled to a first gantry arm, a second stanchion coupled to a second gantry arm, and a scanner ring;
a bottom bridge and a top bridge that connect the first gantry arm to the second gantry arm; and
a patient support that is connected to the bottom bridge and the top bridge; and
a microprocessor configured to acquire a first image of a patient in a vertical position and to acquire a second image of the patient in a horizontal position.
17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein said microprocessor is configured to rotate the gantry and/or to translate the scanner ring.
18 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising an x-ray source and wherein said microprocessor is configured to activate and deactivate the x-ray source.
19 . The system of claim 16 , further comprising a software component that compares said first image and said second image.