Patent ID: 6038281
Filing Date: 2000-03-14
Classification: A61B,A61F,G01T,G06T

Abstract:
A densitometer comprising:(a) an opposed radiation source and detector;(b) a positioner supporting the radiation source and detector at a predetermined angle about a patient to obtain a two dimensional array of pixels having values representing the attenuation of radiation at locations through the patient corresponding to the locations of the pixels within the two dimensional array;(c) a digital computer having a display screen and a cursor controller providing a select signal and cursor coordinates in response to operator commands, the digital computer receiving the array of pixels and operating according to a stored program to:(1) categorize the pixels into at least three categories including categories of bone pixels, soft tissue pixels and neutral pixels;(2) display an image of the pixels in which the at least three categories are visually distinguishable;(3) respond to cursor coordinates from the cursor controller to move a location of a cursor symbol in a path on the image;(4) change the category of indicated pixels in at least one of the categories for indicated pixels in the path when the select signal is received; and(5) display a value to the operator based on the bone pixels and soft tissue pixels but excluding the neutral pixels, after step (4).