Patent ID: 7840249

Claim:
An imaging method comprising: acquiring global image data using a first tomographic imaging modality comprising a standard CT scanner having a first resolution of a head of a subject; acquiring facial surface data from a facial surface scan of the head of the subject; constructing a facial surface model of the head of the subject from the global image data and the facial surface data; positioning the head of the subject according to the facial surface model such that the subject is centered at an origin of a field of view of the first tomographic imaging modality; acquiring local image data using a second tomographic imaging modality comprising a micro-CT scanner having a second resolution through a region of interest of the head of the subject, wherein the region of interest comprises at least one of, a temporal bone or an inner ear; and constructing an image of the region of interest from the global image data and the local image data, wherein the local image data is higher in resolution than the global image data.