SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DISPLAYING IMAGES TO PATIENT RESIDING ON MOVABLE TABLE DURING MEDICAL IMAGING OR THERAPEUTIC PROCEDURES

Systems and methods are provided for delivering images to a patient before and/or during a medical procedure in which a patient is translated on a table relative to a gantry. In various example embodiments, images are projected to the patient while preserving the projected field size during table motion, thereby potentially reducing patient anxiety by providing a more immersive patient viewing experience. In some embodiments, the projected field size is maintained by a display system that is secured to the table such that both a projector and a projection screen are fixed relative to the table, and relative to the patient, during translation of the table. In some example embodiments, a reduction in patient anxiety may be achieved by projecting images as virtual images that are perceived by the patient as residing at a depth that lies beyond the confined spatial region in which the patient resides.