Patent ID: 7245697
Filing Date: 2007-07-17
Classification: A61B,G01N,G06K,G06T

Abstract:
1. A method of generating a density calibration curve, comprising the steps of (a) providing an assembly comprising an x-ray film holder; x-ray film and a wedge-shaped calibration phantom having length (L), and thickness (T) that varies nonlinearly along the length; (b) producing an x-ray image of an anatomical structure, wherein the x-ray image comprises the calibration phantom; (c) measuring attenuation at a multitude of points in the x-ray image of the calibration phantom; (d) measuring attenuation of a least one point of known density in the x-ray image of the anatomical structure; (e) generating a calibration curve that describes the relationship between attenuation measured in (c) and (d) and material thickness; and (f) translating the calibration curve describing thickness into a curve describing calcium concentration.