WO2015154021A1

WO2015154021A1 - Large animal open scanning device

Info

Publication number: WO2015154021A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/024335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher E. KAWCAK
Original assignee: Colorado State University Research Foundation
Priority date: 2014-04-04
Filing date: 2015-04-03
Publication date: 2015-10-08

Abstract

Implementations described and claimed herein provide a device for volumetric imaging of animals uses cone beam computed tomographic techniques (CBCT) in an open configuration. The device consists of a radiation detector that moves in a circular path about the area of interest, and a radiation source that moves synchronously but opposite to the detector.

Description

LARGE ANIMAL OPEN SCANNING DEVICE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001]This Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) patent application claims priority to United States Provisional Application No. 61 /975,178, which was filed April 4, 2014, entitled "EQUINE COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHIC EXTREMITY SCANNER," which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into the present application.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002]Aspects of the presently disclosed technology relate to veterinary diagnostic imaging and in particular the volumetric imaging of various anatomic areas.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Three-dimensional (3D) imaging of anatomical structures is often preferred over conventional two-dimensional (2D) techniques because of enhanced image quality and volume of information that can be obtained for making a correct diagnosis. In veterinary diagnostic imaging, as opposed to human diagnostic imaging, 3D imaging can only be obtained on an anesthetized animal. Putting an animal under general anesthesia adds costs to the procedure and subjects the animal to additional health risks that often accompany general anesthesia, especially in the sick animal.

[0004] Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is available for volumetric imaging of large animal extremities (e.g., leg of a horse). But, since animals often do not cooperate in lying still during the relatively long image acquisition times (e.g., several minutes), medical images obtained from MRI often suffer from motion artifact (i.e., blurring or ghosting of the image), which limits its effectiveness. Consequently, 2D techniques are commonly used in an awake or non- anesthetized animal using restraint techniques.

[0005] Recent advances in digital radiography detectors, specifically for the use in Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) allows for the possibility of rapid volumetric imaging acquisition in the awake animal. CBCT uses rapid frame rate digital radiographic detectors and a radiation source in opposition to each other on a gantry that moves the paired devices around the area of interest. Conventionally, the detector and source devices are housed within an enclosure and the devices move within the enclosure. The CBCT system captures several frames about the area of interest and various reconstruction techniques can be used to render a volumetric image.

[0006]With a human patient, most imaging technicians can use reasoning and communication skills to convince the human patient to remain still during volumentric imaging. In the awake animal, however, there can be a lack of reasoning between the handler and animal such that it is difficult to keep the animal consciously still during imaging. Occasionally sedatives are used during imaging, but using sedatives can introduce additional issues into the imaging procedure. Although sedation is commonly used in veterinary medicine during 2D imaging procedures, the quality of stillness is still inadequate in most instances for proper volumetric imaging. And, although veterinary technicians are good at reasoning with animals, there can be a lack of communication between human and animal to facilitate quality stillness during a volumetric procedure, hence the routine use of general anesthesia. This is the problem faced by standing magnetic resonance imaging in horses. Although most horses will stay relatively still with proper sedation, they tend to sway during the several minutes needed to acquire an image. This is adequate for imaging of the foot, since most swaying occurs above this area, but the swaying leads to poor image quality in areas of interest above this site.

[0007]Another area of concern in veterinary imaging is the use of enclosed scanning devices. As stated above, the lack of reasoning and communication between the animal and technician creates the potential for sudden, unanticipated movement by the animal. This creates a danger to the animal and personnel around the area as a fixed device can create a hazard. Even in CBCT imaging of an extremity of a horse, for example, an enclosed scanning device (i.e., generally, C-shaped) can spook a horse as the device is positioned around the extremity. Upon being spooked, the horse may suddenly move and risk hurting itself or its handler.

[0008]Accordingly, there is a need in the art for 3D imaging of an awake animal that includes, among other features: 1 ) rapid image acquisition; 2) high resolution image capture; 3) rapid scan time and 4) an open system allowing for sudden but safe movement of the animal; and a rotating configuration that maximizes image quality. SUMMARY

[0009]Aspects of the present disclosure involve a veterinary imaging device configured for imaging an extremity of a four-legged animal. In certain implementations, the imaging device includes an imaging source, an imaging detector, and a floor plate. The imaging source may include an imaging source head configured to emit radiation along a radiation path and a first arm member extending away from the imaging source head. The imaging detector may oppose the imaging source and include an imaging detector head configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source along the radiation path and a second arm member extending away from the imaging detector head. The floor plate may include a first and a second arcuate slot extending through the floor plate. The first arcuate slot may be configured to receive the first arm member therethrough and guide the imaging source in a first arcuate path having a first radius. The second arcuate slot may be configured to receive the second arm member therethrough and guide the imaging detector in a second arcuate path having a second radius which is different than the first radius. The imaging source and the imaging detector may be configured to be guided along the respective first and second arcuate paths in concert.

[0010]Aspects of the present disclosure may also involve a veterinary imaging device configured for imaging an extremity of an animal. In certain implementations, the imaging device may include an imaging source head, an imaging detector head, an acruate track and a support column. The imaging source head may be configured to emit radiation along a radiation path. The imaging source head may be coupled to a first arm member that extends away from the imaging source head. The imaging detector head may oppose the imaging source and be configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source head along the radiation path. The imaging detector head may be coupled with a second arm member extending away from the imaging detector head. The arcuate track may couple the first and second arm members in an opposed configuration such that imaging detector head is configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source head along the radiation path. The imaging source head and the imaging detector head may be moveable along the arcuate track while maintaining the opposed configuration. The support column may be supported on a floor and coupled with the arcuate track via an extension arm. The support column may include an elevator assembly configured to vertically adjust a height of the extension arm and the arcuate track so as to position the imaging source head and imaging detector head at various heights for imaging of an animal extremity. [0011]Aspects of the present disclosure may also involve a method of imaging an extremity of a four-legged animal. The method may include generating images of the extremity with an imaging device having an open configuration. The imaging device may include an imaging source and an imaging detector. The imaging source may include an imaging source head configured to emit radiation along a radiation path and a first arm member extending away from the imaging source head. The imaging detector may oppose the imaging source and include an imaging detector head configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source along the radiation path and a second arm member extending away from the imaging detector head. The imaging source and the imaging detector may be configured to be guided along respective unenclosed first and second arcuate paths.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an isometric top view of a large animal with one leg supported on and positioned within a first embodiment of an open scanning device and three legs supported on a floor.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a close-up isometric top view of the first embodiment of the open scanning device removed from within the floor.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of an open scanning device with a leg of a large animal positioned between a radiation source and an image detector wherein the radiation source and image detector are positioned near a floor.

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the second embodiment of an open scanning device with a head of a horse positioned between a radiation source and an image detector wherein the radiation source and image detector are positioned above the floor.

[0016] FIG. 5 is another side view of the second embodiment of an open scanning device with the radiation source and the image detector near a floor and rotated so as to show a back side of the image detector.

[0017] FIG. 6 is a top view of the second embodiment of the open scanning device. [0018] FIG. 7 is an example schematic diagram of a computer system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] Aspects of the presently disclosed technology involve a scanning device 100, as shown in FIG. 1 , for musculoskeletal extremities imaging of an animal 102 (e.g., horse). In certain implementations, the imaging may be cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) and in other implementations the imaging may be positron emission tomography (PET), among others. As seen in FIG. 1 , the scanning device 100 includes an imaging emitter or source 104 and an imaging detector 106 in an open configuration such that the animal's extremity 108 is permitted a moderate amount of movement without interfering with the components of the system 100. That is, the imaging source 104 and the imaging detector 106 are not housed within an enclosure, but are permitted to move in a semi-circular guided path around the animal's extremity 108. In particular, the imaging source 104 is configured to move within an arcuate slotted imaging source path 1 10 formed within a floor plate 1 12 that is fitted within the floor 1 14. The imaging detector 106, on the other hand, is configured to move within an arcuate slotted imaging detector path 1 16 formed within the floor plate 1 12. As seen in FIG. 1 , the animal's extremity 108 is positioned at a point 1 18 between the imaging detector 106 and the imaging source 104. The point 1 18 is not equidistant from the imaging source 104 and imaging detector 106, however. Rather, the point 1 18 is positioned closer to the imaging detector 106 so as to maximize the resulting image clarity. For example, a distance R1 between the point 1 18 and the arcuate slotted imaging source path 1 10 may be about 8 inches. And, a distance R2 between the point 1 18 and the arcuate slotted imaging detector path 1 16 is may be about 4 inches. In other embodiments, R1 may be within a range of about 6 to about 10 inches and R2 may be within a range of about 2 to about 6 inches.

[0020] In the case a CBCT scanning device 100, the imaging source 104 delivers cone-shaped X-ray beams that are sent through a patient and detected by the imaging detector 106. The imaging source 104 and imaging detector 106 are rotated in concert around the patient's extremity and the device 100 takes numerous (e.g., hundreds) scans or images of the patient's musculoskeletal extremity. Rotating the imaging source 104 and detector 106 between about 180 degrees and about 220 degrees, or more, provides enough image data to construct a volumetric data set of the patient's extremity. This data set is used with commercially available scanning software to construct a three-dimensional voxel model of the extremity. Specifics related to CBCT imaging are discussed in the following article, which is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application in its entirety: Zbijewski, W., P. De Jean, et al. (201 1 ). "A dedicated cone-beam CT system for musculoskeletal extremities imaging: design, optimization, and initial performance characterization." Med Phys 38(8): 4700-13. [0021] Referring to FIG. 2, which is a close-up isometric top view of the scanning device 100 removed from the floor, an underside of the device 100 is shown. As seen in the figure, the imaging source 104 includes an imaging source head 120 at a top end 122 thereof. The imaging source head 120 is a radiation emitting device. Extending downward and away from the imaging source head 120 is a top section 124 of an arm member 126 that extends through an opening 128 in the slotted imaging source path 1 10 formed in the floor plate 1 12. Beneath the floor plate 1 12, a bottom section 130 of the arm member 126 couples with the top section 124 at a perpendicular joint 132. The bottom section 130 extends inward and is coupled with an arcuate member 134 that extends around and couples with a base member assembly 136.

[0022]Still referring to FIG. 2, the imaging detector 106 includes an imaging detector head 138 that may be a flat panel digital detector that is configured to receive the X-ray beam from the imaging source head 120 (assuming a CBCT device). The imaging detector head 138 is located at a top end 140 of the imaging detector 106. Extending downward and away from the imaging detector head 138 is a top section 142 of another arm member 144 that extends through an opening 146 in the slotted imaging detector path 1 16 formed in the floor plate 1 12. Beneath the floor plate 1 12, a bottom section 148 of the arm member 144 couples with the top section 142 at a perpendicular joint 150. The bottom section 148 extends inward and is coupled with the arcuate member 134 extending around the base member assembly 136. As seen in the figure, the bottom section 148 of the arm member 144 of the imaging detector 106 side is shorter than the bottom section 130 of the arm member 126 of the imaging source 104 to accommodate the differences in R1 and R2.

[0023]The base member assembly 136 includes a bearing 152 coupled with the arcuate member 134. The bearing 152 is rotationally coupled with a support shaft 154 extending generally perpendicularly downward from the floor plate 1 12. The bearing 152 is configured to slide upward and downward along the support shaft 154 such that the arm members 126, 144 also extend upward and downward through the openings 128, 146 to respectively position at an appropriate height for imaging of the patient's extremity. Additionally, the bearing 152 is configured to rotate within a fixed range of motion that is determined by the angle of rotation of the paths 1 10, 1 16. As seen in FIGS. 1 -2, the angle of rotation is about 180 degrees. That is, the bearing 152, the imaging source 104, and the imaging detector 106 are configured to rotate 180 degrees. While the length of the paths 1 10, 1 16 (i.e., arc length) are different for the imaging source 104 and the imaging detector 106, the amount of rotation is the same. And, while the angle of rotation is depicted as 180 degrees in FIGS. 1 -2, the angle may be 200 degrees, 220 degrees, or 270 degrees, among others. The particular angle of rotation may be chosen based on the needs of the system and on the needs of the software program to convert the images into a useable volumetric data set.

[0024]The bearing 152 may be actuated on the support shaft 154 in a number of ways including pneumatically or electrically. The bearing 152 may, for example, translate longitudinally on the support shaft 154 via a leadscrew being turned by an electric motor (not shown). Alternatively, the bearing 152 may translate longitudinally on the support shaft 154 via a pneumatically driven telescoping cylinder. For rotation, the bearing 152 may be rotated by an electric linear actuator or servo motor. In all implementations, the bearing 152 and any motors connected thereto may be electrically coupled with a controller (not shown) that is further coupled with a computer (not shown) that may be interfaced with by a user via a remote control, for example, to appropriately position the components of the device 100 to capture images of the patient's extremities.

[0025] As seen in FIGS. 1 -2, the device 100 may be removeably positioned within a floor or platform 1 14. And, the floor or platform 1 14 may be permanent flooring or moveable flooring. That is, the floor 1 14 may be permanently installed in a veterinary facility, for example, or the floor 1 14 may be part of a trailer or other transportable structure.

[0026] In use, a veterinarian or animal handler may walk an animal (e.g., horse) 102 onto the floor 1 14 and position one of the animal's extremities 108 on the floor plate 1 12. At this time, the imaging source 104 and detector 106 may be in a lowest most position such that the imaging source head 120 and the imaging detecting head 138 are positioned adjacent or close to the floor plate 1 12. Alternatively, the imaging source 104 and detector 106 may be pre- positioned at a height that is appropriate for image acquisition. In either case, once the animal's extremity 108 is positioned generally at the center point 1 18, the height of the imaging source 104 and detector 106 are adjusted such that they positioned generally at a height of the area of the patient's extremity 108 to be imaged. Next, the imaging source 104 and detector 106 are activated to begin capturing images of the patient's extremity 108 and begin rotating about their respective paths 1 10, 1 16 until enough images have been acquired to produce a suitable volumetric model of the extremity 108. At this point, the imaging source head 120 and imaging detecting head 138 may be moved to their lowest most position such that the animal 102 may proceed to step off of the floor plate 1 12 under direction of the handler. Alternatively, the imaging source head 120 and imaging detecting head 138 may remain in position and the animal 102 may proceed to step off and away from the floor plate 1 12 under direction of the handler. [0027] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3-6, which depict various views of the second embodiment of the imaging device 200. As seen in FIG. 3, which is a side view of the imaging device 200, an animal's extremity (e.g., leg, head) 202 positioned in between an imaging source 204 and an imaging detector 206. As with the previously described embodiment of the imaging device 100, the device 200 of the present embodiment may be a CBCT imaging device, a PET imaging device, or other imaging device. As seen in FIG. 3, the imaging source 204 includes an imaging source head 208 that is moveable upward and downward along a support arm 210 and the imaging detector 206 includes an imaging detector head 212 that is moveable upward and downward along another support arm 214.

[0028]Turning to FIG. 6, which is a top view of the imaging device 200, the support arms 210, 214 are coupled with a track 216 that is rotationally actuated by a motor 218. The track 216 is configured to rotate within a housing 220 that encloses at least a bottom portion of the track 216 and may enclose a portion of the sides of the track 216 as well. As seen in FIG. 6, the track 216 is circular and may be a rigid track that may include teeth that engage with reciprocal teeth of a gear that is coupled with a shaft of the motor 218. Thus, as the motor 218 rotates the shaft, the gear, in turn, rotates and causes the track 216 to rotate, which, in turn, rotates the support arms 210, 214 and imaging source 204 and imaging detector 206. Instead of a rigid track, the track 216 may be a belt and the support arms 210, 214 may be coupled with the belt. While the track 216 is shown as being a complete 360 degree circle, the track 216 may be semi-circular and include an incomplete circle with about a 270 degree arc length, 220 degree arc length, or 180 degree arc length, among other possible arc lengths.

[0029] Referring back to FIG. 3, the track housing 220 is coupled with a motor housing 222 that houses the motor 218 on an imaging side 224 of the housing 222. Opposite the imaging side 224 of the motor housing 222, an extension arm member 226 couples with the motor housing 222 via a pivoting joint 228. Opposite the pivoting joint 228, the extension arm member 226 couples with a support column 230 at another pivoting joint 232. The support column 230 includes an elevator assembly 234 that is configured to raise and lower the extension arm member 226 and, thus, the imaging components of the device 200. The elevator assembly 234 may be an electric linear actuator including an electric rod actuator or a rodless electromechanical actuator. As seen in FIG. 3, the elevator assembly 234 includes a telescoping structure 236 coupled with a motor 238 configured to raise and lower the extension arm member 226. At the pivoting joint 232 is a motor (e.g., servo motor) 240 configured to facilitate the extension arm member 226 pivoting about a point P1 of rotation. [0030]As seen in FIG. 3, the elevator assembly 234 is in a lowered position and the motor 240 has the extension arm member 226 positioned in a downward position. Turning to FIG. 4, the elevator assembly 234 is in a raised position and the motor 240 has the extension arm member 226 positioned in an upward position. As seen in FIG. 4, this position is suitable for positioning the imaging components of the device 200 around a cranial region of a horse. In this orientation, the horse's muzzle may be positioned within the opening or aperture formed within the track housing 220.

[0031] Referring to FIG. 5, which is another side view of the imaging device 200, the imaging source 204 and the imaging detector 206 are rotated about 90 degrees so as to show a back portion 242 of the imaging detector 206 and the support arm 214. As seen in the figure, a height of the imaging detector 206 may be adjusted manually by positioning the imaging detector 206 at a desired height and then engaging a pin 244 through an aperture 246 of the support arm 214 and into the back portion 242 of the imaging detector 206. The imaging source 204 may include a similar mechanism to secure a position of imaging source 204 to the support arm 210. Alternatively, the height of the imaging source 204 and the imaging detector 206 may be actuated by a motor and positioned by a user without having manual adjustment.

[0032]The various components of the device 100, 200, as seen in FIGS. 2-5, including, the motors, actuators, and imaging controls may be electrically coupled with a controller 248 to control actuation of the motors and actuators and a computer system 1800 to signal the imaging components of the device 100, 200.

[0033] Referring to Figure 7, the computer system 1800 is capable of executing a computer program product to execute a computer process. Data and program files associated with imaging an animal and positioning the components of the device 100, 200 may be input to the computer system 1800, which reads the files and executes the programs therein. Some of the elements of the general purpose computer system 1800 are shown in Figure 7, wherein a processor 1802 is shown having an input/output (I/O) section 1804, a Central Processing Unit (CPU) 1806, and memory 1808.

[0034]There may be one or more processors 1802, such that the processor 1802 of the computer system 1800 comprises the CPU 1806 or a plurality of processing units, commonly referred to as a parallel processing environment. The computer system 1800 may be a conventional computer, a distributed computer, or any other type of computer, such as one or more external computers made available via a network architecture. Various controls for the device 100, 200 may optionally be implemented in software devices loaded in the memory 1808, stored on a configured DVD/CD-ROM 1810 or a storage unit 1812, and/or communicated via a wired or wireless network link 1814 on a carrier signal, thereby transforming the computer system 1800 in FIG. 7 to a special purpose machine for implementing the operations described herein.

[0035]The I/O section 1804 is connected to one or more user-interface devices (e.g., a keyboard 1816 and a display unit 1818), the storage unit 1812, and a disk drive 1820. In one implementation, the disk drive 1820 is a DVD/CD-ROM drive unit capable of reading the DVD/CD-ROM 1810, which typically contains programs and data 1822. In another implementation, the disk drive 1820 is a solid state drive unit.

[0036]Computer program products containing mechanisms to effectuate the systems and methods in accordance with the presently described technology may reside in the memory 1804, on the storage unit 1812, on the DVD/CD-ROM 1810 of the computer system 1800, or on external storage devices made available via a network architecture with such computer program products, including one or more database management products, web server products, application server products, and/or other additional software components. Alternatively, the disk drive 1820 may be replaced or supplemented by a USB drive unit, a tape drive unit, or other storage medium drive unit. The network adapter 1824 is capable of connecting the computer system 1800 to a network via the network link 1814, through which the computer system 1800 can receive instructions and data embodied in a carrier wave. An example of such systems is personal computers. It should be understood that computing systems may also embody devices such as mobile phones, tablets or slates, multimedia consoles, gaming consoles, set top boxes, etc.

[0037] When used in a LAN-networking environment, the computer system 1800 is connected (by wired connection or wirelessly) to a local network through the network interface or adapter 1824, which is one type of communications device. When used in a WAN-networking environment, the computer system 1800 typically includes a modem, a network adapter, or any other type of communications device for establishing communications over the wide area network. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer system 1800 or portions thereof, may be stored in a remote memory storage device. It is appreciated that the network connections shown are examples of communications devices for and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. [0038] In an example implementation, seismic data management, sharing, storing, retrieving, and security software and other modules and services may be embodied by instructions stored on such storage systems and executed by the processor 1802. Some or all of the operations described herein may be performed by the processor 1802. Further, local computing systems, remote data sources and/or services, and other associated logic represent firmware, hardware, and/or software configured to control data access. Such services may be implemented using a general purpose computer and specialized software (such as a server executing service software), a special purpose computing system and specialized software (such as a mobile device or network appliance executing service software), or other computing configurations. In addition, one or more functionalities of the systems and methods disclosed herein may be generated by the processor 1802 and a user may interact with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) using one or more user-interface devices (e.g., the keyboard 1816, the display unit 1818, and the user devices 1804) with some of the data in use directly coming from online sources and data stores.

[0039]The system set forth in Figure 7 is but one possible example of a computer system 1800 that may employ or be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040]Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the presently disclosed technology. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this disclosure also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the presently disclosed technology is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations together with all equivalents thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . A veterinary imaging device configured for imaging an extremity of a four-legged animal, the imaging device comprising:

an imaging source comprising an imaging source head configured to emit radiation along a radiation path and a first arm member extending away from the imaging source head; an imaging detector opposing the imaging source and comprising an imaging detector head configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source along the radiation path and a second arm member extending away from the imaging detector head; and

a floor plate comprising a first and a second arcuate slot extending through the floor plate, the first arcuate slot configured to receive the first arm member therethrough and guide the imaging source in a first arcuate path having a first radius, the second arcuate slot configured to receive the second arm member therethrough and guide the imaging detector in a second arcuate path having a second radius which is different than the first radius, wherein the imaging source and the imaging detector are configured to be guided along the respective first and second arcuate paths in concert.

2. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging source and the imaging detector are configured to be guided along the respective first and second arcuate paths and in an open configuration.

3. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arcuate paths are not enclosed.

4. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein a leg of the four-legged animal is configured to be positioned on the floor plate and the leg of the four-legged animal is permitted to move during scanning.

5. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein a center point of the first and second radius is closer to the imaging detector than the imaging source.

6. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein a height of the imaging source head and imaging detector head above the floor plate are adjustable.

7. The imaging device of claim 6, wherein the first and second arm members are coupled to a bearing beneath the floor plate that is slidingly coupled with a support shaft, wherein the bearing is configured to translate on the support shaft to adjust the height of the imaging source head and imaging source detector head.

8. The imaging device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging source is configured to emit and the imaging detector is configured to receive cone beam computed tomography.

9. A veterinary imaging device configured for imaging an extremity of an animal, the imaging device comprising:

an imaging source head configured to emit radiation along a radiation path, the imaging source head coupled to a first arm member that extends away from the imaging source head; an imaging detector head opposing the imaging source and configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source head along the radiation path, the imaging detector head coupled with a second arm member extending away from the imaging detector head; an arcuate track coupling the first and second arm members in an opposed configuration such that imaging detector head is configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source head along the radiation path, the imaging source head and the imaging detector head being moveable along the arcuate track while maintaining the opposed configuration; and

a support column supported on a floor and coupled with the arcuate track via an extension arm, the support column comprising an elevator assembly configured to vertically adjust a height of the extension arm and the arcuate track so as to position the imaging source head and imaging detector head at various heights for imaging of an animal extremity.

10. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the support column is coupled to the extension arm via a first pivoting joint that comprises a first motor configured to adjust an angle of extension of the extension arm relative to the support column, wherein adjustment of the angle of extension adjusts and angle of the radiation path.

1 1 . The imaging device of claim 10, wherein the extension arm is coupled to the arcuate track at a second pivoting joint.

12. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein a second motor is coupled to the arcuate track near the coupling of the extension arm and the arcuate track, the second motor being configured to move the imaging source head and the imaging detector head along an arcuate path.

13. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the elevator assembly comprises an electric linear actuator.

14. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the arcuate track is a C-shaped semi-circular track that is opened at an end.

15. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the arcuate track is a ring-shaped circular track.

16. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the imaging source head and the imaging detector head are in an open configuration and not enclosed as they move on the arcuate track.

17. The imaging device of claim 9, wherein the imaging source head is configured to emit and the imaging detector head is configured to receive cone beam computed tomography.

18. A method of imaging an extremity of a four-legged animal, the method comprising:

generating images of the extremity with an imaging device having an open configuration and comprising:

an imaging source comprising an imaging source head configured to emit radiation along a radiation path and a first arm member extending away from the imaging source head; and

an imaging detector opposing the imaging source and comprising an imaging detector head configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source along the radiation path and a second arm member extending away from the imaging detector head, wherein the imaging source and the imaging detector are configured to be guided along respective unenclosed first and second arcuate paths.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the imaging device further comprises a floor plate comprising a first and a second arcuate slot extending through the floor plate, the first arcuate slot configured to receive the first arm member therethrough and guide the imaging source in a first arcuate path having a first radius, the second arcuate slot configured to receive the second arm member therethrough and guide the imaging detector in a second arcuate path having a second radius which is different than the first radius.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the imaging device further comprises:

an arcuate track coupling the first and second arm members in an opposed configuration such that imaging detector head is configured to detect the radiation emitted from the imaging source head along the radiation path, the imaging source head and the imaging detector head being moveable along the arcuate track while maintaining the opposed configuration; and a support column supported on a floor and coupled with the arcuate track via an extension arm, the support column comprising an elevator assembly configured to vertically adjust a height of the extension arm and the arcuate track so as to position the imaging source head and imaging detector head at various heights for imaging of an animal extremity.