Methods and systems for an adjustable head holder

1. A system, comprising:

an adjustable head holder for use with an imaging system, the adjustable head holder comprising:

a head cradle;

a tilt adjustment mechanism defining a plurality of discrete locking positions arranged below a first end of the head cradle, wherein the discrete locking positions include a plurality of recesses;

a table mount extending from a second end of the head cradle;

a tilt adjustment bar that extends from the table mount through the tilt adjustment mechanism, wherein the tilt adjustment bar includes a rod at one end configured to engage with the plurality of recesses, and wherein the tilt adjustment bar includes a lever that extends through an opening of the tilt adjustment mechanism; and

wherein the first end and the second end of the head cradle are located at opposite ends of the head cradle.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tilt adjustment mechanism comprises a spring loaded tooth and a ratchet system.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable head holder further comprises a hinge coupled between the second end of the head cradle and an extension arm extending from the table mount.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system includes a table having an opening in one end thereof that is shaped to receive the table mount.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustable head holder further comprises a table mount lock and release mechanism coupled to the table mount.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the imaging system is one of a computerized tomography (CT) imaging system, positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system, single-photon emission CT (SPECT) imaging system, or magnetic resonance imaging (MM) system.

7. An adjustable head holder for use with an imaging system, the adjustable head holder, comprising:

a head cradle;

a tilt adjustment mechanism including a plurality of recesses positioned below a first end of the head cradle, wherein the tilt adjustment bar includes a lever that extends through an opening of the tilt adjustment mechanism; and

a table mount extending from a second end of the head cradle;

wherein the head cradle is configured to pivot via a hinge coupled to the second end of the head cradle and an extension arm of the table mount; and

wherein the first end and the second end of the head cradle are located at opposite ends of the head cradle;

wherein the plurality of recesses of the tilt adjustment mechanism receives a tilt adjustment bar extending from the table mount, wherein the tilt adjustment bar comprises a first rod configured to engage with a ratchet system of the tilt adjustment mechanism and a second rod arranged in a joint configured as a revolute ball joint.

8. The adjustable head holder of claim 7 , wherein the hinge comprises a flexible material.

9. The adjustable head holder of claim 8 , wherein the flexible material includes one or more of a carbon fiber, a thermoplastic, a plastic, a rubber, and a polymer.

10. The adjustable head holder of claim 7 , wherein the table mount is inserted into an opening in one end of a table of the imaging system.

11. The adjustable head holder of claim 7 , wherein the table mount comprises a table mount lock and release mechanism.

12. The adjustable head holder of claim 1 , wherein the rod is a first rod arranged adjacent to a first end of the tilt adjustment bar and a second rod is arranged at a second end of the tilt adjustment bar opposite the first end, wherein the first end is a lever configured to actuate the first rod to and away from a ratchet system of the tilt adjustment mechanism.

13. The adjustable head holder of claim 12 , wherein the lever extends through an opening of the tilt adjustment mechanism and beyond a profile of the head cradle in a horizontal direction.

14. The adjustable head holder of claim 13 , wherein the adjustable head holder is adjustable relative to the horizontal direction.