Patent ID: 8660633

Claim:
An imaging system comprising: a plurality of imagers, and each imager is configured to acquire diagnostic imaging data of subjects in one of a plurality of animal capsules located in an imaging region of one of the imagers, and each imager having at least a first docking interface which connects to a uniform capsule interface of the one of the plurality of animal capsules during imaging; a docking station adapted to prepare subjects for imaging in at least one of the plurality of imagers, the docking station including: at least a second docking interface which is adapted to connect to the uniform capsule interface of the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules and hold the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules while each subject is secured in the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules, an induction chamber adapted to hold and anesthetize the subjects before each subject is secured in the at least one of the plurality of animal capsules; and wherein, each animal capsule of the plurality of animal capsules is adapted to enclose a plurality of subjects for simultaneous imaging in each of the plurality of imagers and includes: at least two subject supports, each support adapted to support a sedated subject during preparation and imaging; a removable cover adapted to encapsulate the at least two subject beds; and the uniform capsule interface adapted to connect with the at least first docking interface of each imager and the at least second docking interface of the docking station.