Patent ID: 8853635

Claim:
A molecular breast imaging (MBI) system structured to be operable in first and second modes of operation, the first mode of operation including an MBI mode and the second mode of operation including one of ultrasound imaging and MBI-guided biopsy, said system comprising: a support structure arranged proximate to an examination region; a first detector head coupled to the support structure to extend along a first portion of the examination region and including: a first gamma ray detector supported by the support structure and extending to define a first imaging plane proximate to the examination region; a first collimator extending substantially coplanar with the first imaging plane and arranged between examination region and the first detector; a second detector head coupled to the support structure to extend along a second portion of the examination region and including: a second gamma ray detector supported by the support structure and extending to define a second imaging plane proximate to the examination region; a second collimator extending coplanar with the second imaging plane and arranged between examination region and the second detector; a compression plate being operably coupled and adjacent to the first detector head; and an adjustable coupling arranged between the first detector head and the support structure to permit movement of the first detector head between a first position and a second position such as to keep the compression plate in place during a conversion of the system from the first mode of operation to the second mode of operation, wherein said conversion is enabled by said movement, wherein the first position is a position in which the first detector head is directly opposed to the second detector head, and a second position is a position in which the first detector head is not directly opposed to the second detector head.