MOBILE CT IMAGING SYSTEM COMPRISING A MOBILE CT IMAGING MACHINE WITH AN ON-BOARD MOTORIZED BED AND/OR AN ON-BOARD ULTRASOUND IMAGER
An imaging system for imaging an object, the imaging system comprising: an imaging unit comprising a housing having a center opening for receiving the object to be imaged; and a patient support for supporting the object to be imaged, the patient support being pivotally mounted to the housing, wherein the patient support is configured to pivot between (i) a first, folded configuration in which the patient support is disposed close to the housing, whereby to facilitate transport of the imaging unit, and (ii) a second, unfolded configuration in which the patient support is aligned with the center opening, whereby to facilitate imaging of the object on the patient support.
1 . An imaging system for imaging an object, the imaging system comprising:
an imaging unit comprising a housing having a center opening for receiving the object to be imaged; and
a patient support for supporting the object to be imaged, the patient support being pivotally mounted to the housing, wherein the patient support is configured to pivot between (i) a first, folded configuration in which the patient support is disposed close to the housing, whereby to facilitate transport of the imaging unit, and (ii) a second, unfolded configuration in which the patient support is aligned with the center opening, whereby to facilitate imaging of the object on the patient support.
2 . The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a powered system for moving the patient support between its folded configuration and its unfolded configuration.
3 . The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one telescoping arm for moving the patient support between its folded configuration and its unfolded configuration.
4 . The imaging system according to claim 3 wherein the at least one telescoping arm is pivotally mounted to the housing.
5 . The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the patient support comprises two portions pivotally connected to one another at a hinge.
6 . The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a plurality of powered rollers for advancing the patient support into, and out of, the center opening of the housing.
7 . The imaging system according to claim 6 further comprising a plurality of roller conveyors for stabilizing the patient support while the patient support is advanced into, and out of, the center opening of the housing.
8 . The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising at least one deployable foot for stabilizing the imaging system.
9 . The imaging system according to claim 8 wherein the at least one deployable foot is pivotally mounted to the housing, whereby to be capable of assuming (i) a deployed configuration in which the at least one deployable foot engages a floor surface upon which the imaging system is disposed, and (ii) a storage configuration in which the at least one deployable foot does not engage the floor surface upon which the imaging system is disposed.
10 . The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising a contrast injector mounted to the housing.
11 . The imaging system according to claim 10 further comprising a boom arm for movably mounting the contrast injector to the housing.
12 . The imaging system according to claim 10 further comprising a cabinet for storing the contrast injector.
13 . The imaging system according to claim 1 further comprising an ultrasound imager.
14 . The imaging system according to claim 13 wherein the housing comprises a cradle for receiving the ultrasound imager.
15 . The imaging system according to claim 13 further comprising a visual display for displaying data obtained by the ultrasound imager.
16 . The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises a transport mechanism for moving the imaging unit, wherein the transport mechanism comprises (i) a gross movement mechanism for transporting the imaging unit across room distances, and (ii) a fine movement mechanism for moving the imaging unit precisely, relative to a patient, during scanning.
17 . The imaging system according to claim 1 wherein the imaging unit comprises a CT imaging unit.
18 . A method for imaging an object, the method comprising:
providing an imaging system comprising:
an imaging unit comprising a housing having a center opening for receiving the object to be imaged; and
a patient support for supporting the object to be imaged, the patient support being pivotally mounted to the housing, wherein the patient support is configured to pivot between (i) a first, folded configuration in which the patient support is disposed close to the housing, whereby to facilitate transport of the imaging unit, and (ii) a second, unfolded configuration in which the patient support is aligned with the center opening, whereby to facilitate imaging of the object on the patient support;
positioning the patient support in its second, unfolded configuration;
positioning an object on the patient support while the patient support is in its second, unfolded configuration;
moving the object into the central opening; and
imaging the object in the central opening.
19 . The method according to claim 18 further comprising positioning the patient support in its second, unfolded configuration and transporting the imaging system.
20 . The method according to claim 18 wherein the imaging system further comprises a plurality of powered rollers for moving the object into, and out of, the center opening of the housing.