Patent ID: 8442617
Filing Date: 2013-05-14
Classification: A61B,G01R

Abstract:
1. A method for imaging of a part of a patient comprising: providing a patient support table, the patient support table comprising; providing a magnetic resonance imaging system for obtaining images of the part of the patient, the magnetic resonance imaging system comprising: wherein the magnet is mounted on a magnet support arranged so that the magnet is movable longitudinally along its axis; providing an X-Ray imaging system comprising: wherein the upper patient support portion of the patient support table is cantilevered from the table support base in a direction longitudinal of the axis so as to extend into the bore from one end of the magnet to the imaging zone and also be used with an X-Ray tube under the upper patient support and a detector above the upper patient support; wherein the X-Ray imaging system is mounted for movement relative to the patient support table; in an MR imaging step, moving the magnet longitudinally along its axis to a first imaging position in which the magnet bore surrounds the upper patient support portion while the patient support portion remains supported on the table support base; in the MR imaging step, moving the X-Ray imaging system to a position remote from the magnet and from the upper patient support portion; in the MR imaging step, causing the upper patient support portion to cooperate with the magnet during magnetic resonance imaging; in and X-Ray imaging step, moving the magnet longitudinally along its axis to a remote position in which the magnet is removed from the upper patient support portion by a distance such that the upper patient support portion is out of the magnetic field of the magnet: in the X-Ray imaging step, moving the X-Ray imaging system to a position at the upper patient support portion; in the X-Ray imaging step, causing, the upper patient support portion to cooperate with the X-Ray imaging system during X-Ray imaging.