Support system for use in radiographic imaging equipment

A virtual C-arm support system (40) is used in a radiographic imaging apparatus of the type including an x-ray source (44) and an x-ray detector (48). The support system includes a first positioning system (42) operatively connected to the x-ray source for selectively positioning the x-ray source in a range of first orientations relative to the examination region (E). A second positioning system (46) is operatively connected to the x-ray detector (48) for selectively positioning the x-ray detector in a range of second orientations relative to the examination region (E). A control unit (60) is in operative command of at least one of the first and second positioning systems to maintain a predetermined spatial relationship between the x-ray source and the detector for each of the ranges of the first and second orientations relative to the examination region. In a second embodiment, the control unit (60') is in operative command of only the first positioning system (42'), the second positioning system (46') being manually movable. The control unit maintains a predetermined spatial relationship between the x-ray source and detector by moving the x-ray source in response to manual movement of the x-ray detector for each of the ranges of first and second orientations of the source and detector relative to the examination region.