Patent ID: 6754520
Filing Date: 2004-06-22
Classification: A61B,Y10S

Abstract:
A medical imaging apparatus comprising:a first imaging device for obtaining one or more tomographic images of a subject patient, at least a portion of the first imaging device having a first bore through which a patient pallet axially translates during formation of one or more images by the device; a first patient support structure for supporting the patient pallet in substantial alignment with the first bore of the first imaging device, the first patient support structure adapted to lift the patient pallet from a loading position below the first bore to a scanning position in substantial alignment with the first bore; a second patient support structure for supporting the patient pallet in substantial alignment with the first bore, which second structure extends into the first bore for receiving the patient pallet from the first patient support structure; and a patient positioning device for translating the patient pallet from the first patient support structure into the first bore and onto the second patient support structure without substantial movement of the first patient support structure towards the first bore, which positioning device includes: belt drive mechanisms which are disposed on opposite ends of the first and second support structures and pull the patient pallet across the first and second support structures in forward and reverse directions.