Patent ID: 6922462

Claim:
A method for plaque characterization, the method comprising: obtaining a first set of image data created in response to a first x-ray energy level and including a plurality of first pixel elements, wherein each said first pixel element corresponds to a unique location in an object being scanned and said first set of image data includes hard tissue and soft tissue calcified plaque data; obtaining a second set of image data created in response to a second x-ray energy level and including a plurality of second pixel elements, wherein each said second pixel element corresponds to one said first pixel element and wherein said second x-ray energy level is higher than said first x-ray energy level and said second set of image data contains said hard tissue calcified plaque data; and calculating a third set of image data in response to said first set of image data and said second set of image data, wherein said calculating includes subtracting each said second pixel element from said corresponding first pixel element and said third set of image data contains said soft tissue calcified plaque data.