Patent ID: 8186880

Claim:
A method for calibrating and correcting images acquired with a three-dimensional imaging device by simultaneously scanning a subject and a reference pad with at least one calibration insert of known physical properties representative of tissues, injected contrast, or materials in the body of a subject, scanning the body of the subject and the reference pad under similar imaging conditions, the method including a computer software program for locating the at least one calibration insert and for recording readings, the method further comprising: positioning the reference pad and at least one calibration insert on a subject support surface, the reference pad extending for substantially the full length of the subject's torso without discontinuity, the reference pad supporting the full length of the subject's torso, the reference pad being independent from but supported by the table of the imaging device, the at least one calibration insert being encased in foam and enclosed within the reference pad, wherein the at least one calibration insert comprises an aluminum wire extending substantially the length of the subject's torso, the aluminum wire having a diameter less than a point spread function (PSF) of the imaging device; automatically locating the at least one calibration insert at multiple locations and automatically recording readings with a computer; and modifying the images based on the readings.