Abstract:
Methods and systems for a patient table having a longitudinal axis for a medical imaging system are provided. The patient table includes a body including a first end, an axially-spaced second end, and a first and a second axially oriented side edges extending therebetween, the body further including at least one of an aperture extending through the body and a notch extending from at least one of the first and second axially oriented side edges, and a base configured to couple to the body using at least one of the first end and the second end.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to medical imaging systems and, more particularly, to a method of reducing radiation attenuation by imaging system hardware. 
         [0002]    Medical imaging requires accurate and repeatable positioning of the patient for a scan and a table that facilitates minimizing attenuation of the gamma radiation. Attenuation of the gamma radiation for example, in the table material of cardiac cameras, increases the examination duration and negatively affects the image quality. Specifically, in a cardiac camera, low energy radiation is emitted. During a scan the patient heart may be located on a left-side or a right-side of the table based on the patient position being supine or prone. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In one embodiment, a patient table having a longitudinal axis for a medical imaging system includes a body including a first end, an axially-spaced second end, and a first and a second axially oriented side edges extending therebetween, the body further including at least one of an aperture extending through the body and a notch extending from at least one of the first and second axially oriented side edges, and a base configured to couple to the body using at least one of the first end and the second end. 
         [0004]    In another embodiment, a method of imaging a patient using a patient table is provided. The patient table includes a base portion and a body including a notch that is at least one of open to a side edge of the body and closed to a side edge of the body, the body configured to couple to the base. The method includes determining a patient orientation for an imaging scan, if the patient is to be scanned in a supine orientation, coupling the body to the base in a first position such that the notch is adjacent a region of interest of the patient, and if the patient is to be scanned in a prone orientation, coupling the body to the base in a second position such that the notch is adjacent the region of interest of the patient. 
         [0005]    In yet another embodiment, an imaging system includes a radiation source, a detector configured to receive radiation from the source, and a patient table that includes a body including a first end, an axially-spaced second end, and a first and a second axially oriented side edges extending therebetween, the body further including at least one of an aperture extending through the body and a notch extending from at least one of the first and second axially oriented side edges, and a base configured to couple to the body using at least one of the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an end view of an exemplary imaging system; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an exemplary patient table that may be used with imaging system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the second portion shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of second portion taken along line A-A shown in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the second portion shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is an end view of an exemplary imaging system  10 . In the exemplary embodiment, imaging system  10  is an emission nuclear imaging system and includes a first nuclear detector  12 , for example, a gamma camera and a second nuclear detector  14 . Detectors  12  and  14  are fixed at a relative angle  16  of approximately ninety degrees. In an alternative embodiment, angle  16  is selectively adjustable. Detectors  12  and  14  are coupled to a support arm  18  through a first rotatable joint  20 . Support arm  20  is coupled to a base  22  through a second rotatable joint  24 . In an alternative embodiment, additional support arms and rotatable joint are coupled between detectors  11  and  12 . and base  22  such that detectors  11  and  12  may be articulated in a plurality of orientations. A patient table  26  is positioned within a field of view (FOV) of detectors  11  and  12 . Patient table  26  is configured to be selectively adjustable in a vertical direction  28 , a lateral direction  30 , and an axial direction  32 . Patient table  34  is also configured to incline about a selectable axis along a longitudinal axis  36  of table  34 . 
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of an exemplary patient table  26  that may be used with imaging system  10  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Patient table  26  includes a first portion  40  and a removable second portion  42  coupled to first portion  40  at a joint  44  aligned along a longitudinal axis  45 . A mechanical interface of second portion  42  to first portion  40  is substantially identical in a supine position and in a prone position of the patient such that second portion  42  may be coupled to first portion  40  using either end of second portion  42  so that the notch is oriented on a left side or a right side of the table according to the patient (prone or supine) position. A first end  46  of second portion  42  is configured to be substantially identical to a second end  48  of second portion  42  such that second portion  42  may be uncoupled from first portion  40 , rotated one hundred eighty degrees, and recoupled to first portion  40 . In an alternative embodiment, a top surface  50  of second portion  42  is configured to be substantially identical to a bottom surface  52  of second portion  42  such that second portion  42  may be rotated one hundred eighty degrees about longitudinal axis  45 . 
         [0014]    Second portion  42  includes a cutout area or notch  60  extending along a side  62  of second portion  42  making it axially asymmetrical in a patient heart area. In the exemplary embodiment, notch  60  extends to an edge  64  of side  62 . In an alternative embodiment, notch  60  does not extend to edge  64 , but rather forms an aperture through second portion  62 . A depth of notch  60  is predetermined such that in all positions of detectors  12  and  14  during a scan, the gamma rays emitting from the organ are received by detectors  12  and  14  while avoiding attenuation in table  26 . 
         [0015]    First portion  40  includes a bendable joint  66  configured to control an angle between a top surface  68  of first portion  40  and a top surface  60  of second portion  42 . For example, a patient seated on first portion  40  may have their upper body inclined with respect to their lower body by adjusting the angle between top surface  68  and top surface  50  using bendable joint  66 . The patient may also be reclined to a prone or supine position using joint  66 . 
         [0016]    During scanning a patient may be positioned on table  26  in a seated and/or reclining position. Second portion may be oriented with top surface  50  facing vertically upward such that notch  60  is located on the patient&#39;s left side when in a supine position on table  26 . Notch  60  is aligned substantially with an organ of interest, for example, the patient&#39;s heart such that radiation emitted from the organ does not pass through table  26  before being received by detected  12  and/or  14 . When the patient is positioned on table  26  in a prone position, second portion  42  is rotated one hundred eighty degrees such that notch  60  is located on an opposite side of table  26  to align with an organ on the left side of the patient in a prone position, for example, the heart. 
         [0017]    In each position of notch  60 , table  26  axial dimension ensures location of the patient organ proximate a central area of notch  60  while the patient head is located adjacent to distal end  48 . 
         [0018]    Notch  60  facilitates reducing average examination time and improving image quality in both the supine and prone patient positions. Absorption of table material in a conventional table is approximately 10%-20%. Accordingly, a scan time saving of approximately 10%-20% is realizable using table  26  with notch  60 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a top view of second portion  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Second portion  42  is illustrated with notch  60  on the left side of a patient positioned on table  26  in a prone position. Notch  60  includes an axial length  302  and a depth  304  with respect to side  64 . An offset  306  from longitudinal axis  45  furthers defines the boundaries of notch  60 . Side  64  may be closed such that an aperture is formed rather than a notch open to side  64 . In the exemplary embodiment, a first axial dimension  308  defines a distance from second end  48  to an edge of notch  60  and a second axial dimension  310  defines a distance from first end  46  to an edge of notch  60 . When first axial dimension  308  is substantially equal to a second axial dimension  310  notch  60  is axially aligned with the same area of the patient when the patient is laying supine and when laying prone. 
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of second portion  42  taken along line A-A (shown in  FIG. 3 ). In the exemplary embodiment, second portion  42  includes an upwardly curved lip  402  configured to cradle the patient and provide stiffening support of second portion  42  along its axial length. 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of second portion  42  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). In the exemplary embodiment, second portion  42  includes notch  60  and a stiffening channel  502  extending along side  62  and an opposing side  504 . Stiffening channel  502  is coupled to a first end  508  of a downwardly extending rib  506 . A second opposite end  510  of rib  506  is coupled to a bottom plate  512 . 
         [0022]    The above-described embodiments of a medical imaging system provide a cost-effective and reliable means for minimizing attenuation of radiation by a patient table. The table is configured to also provide ergonomic and comfort features to ease the anxiety of patients and expedite scanning by technicians. 
         [0023]    Exemplary embodiments of medical imaging systems and apparatus are described above in detail. The medical imaging system components illustrated are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each system may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. For example, the medical imaging system components described above may also be used in combination with different medical imaging system components. 
         [0024]    A technical effect of the various embodiments of the systems and methods described herein include facilitating operation of the medical imaging system by providing patient support and comfort that is compatible with a zero attenuation of the camera radiation during a scan. Specifically, the patient table provides a notch in the heart area of the patient regardless of the patient&#39;s supine or prone position. The notch provides a zero table attenuation. 
         [0025]    While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.