One or more optical video cameras connected to a monitor correlated to the position of a medical imaging device or patient allows the medical imaging device user to properly align the medical imaging device with respect to the patient for optimal patient medical imaging. The positioning device is used to reduce radiation exposure in modalities using ionizing radiation by allowing optical patient tracking rather than radiation dependent visualization. In all modalities that do or do not use ionizing radiation, it can be used to improve initial patient and/or medical imaging device position and allow users a visual feedback tool to correctly position the patient and/or medical imaging device during the exam.
