Computed tomography image quality phantom

• US 6,991,371 B2
• Filed: 10/14/2003
• Issued: 01/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Original Assignee: The Boeing Co.
• Inventors: Nelson, James M., Georgeson, Gary E., Bossi, Richard H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Suchecki, Krystyna
• Application Number:
  US10/685,196
• Publication Number:
  US 20050078801A1
• Time in Patent Office: 840 Days
• Field of Search: 378/207, 378/18, 378/57
• US Class Current: 378/207
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/583 using calibration phantoms
• CPC Class Codes: G01T 1/169 Exploration, location of contaminated surface areas
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 5/20 Detecting prohibited goods, e.g. weapons, explosives, hazardous substances, contraband or smuggled objects

Abstract

A computed tomography (CT) image quality phantom for use in calibrating explosive detection systems (EDS) at airports. A foam core block containing up to five right cylinder rod members is positioned in a housing member which is adapted to be passed through an airport luggage scanning machine. The rod members are of different lengths in order to create different data slices for analysis. The housing has a lead-in member at least at one end in order to allow passage through an EDS more easily and provide accurate CT calibrating.

Claims

1. A device for calibrating a CT machine, said device comprising:

a housing member adapted to pass through an CT machine;

a foam core member positioned in said housing, said foam core member having a first surface and an opposite second surface;

a plurality of cylinder members positioned in said foam core;

said cylinder members each having a different length and each having a constant cross-section throughout said length;

each of said cylinder members having a first portion adjacent said first surface; and

at least one of said cylinder members having a second portion adjacent said second surface.

2. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said CT machine has a field of view and wherein said plurality of cylinder members are uniformly positioned spatially in said foam core member thereby allowing calibration of the CT machine substantially across the entire field of view.

3. The device as described in claim 1 wherein five cylinder members are provided.

4. The device as described in claim 3 wherein said five cylinder members are positioned in a hub-and-spoke type arrangement and said at least one of said cylinder members is positioned substantially in the center of said arrangement.

5. The device as described in claim 1 wherein two cylinder members are provided.

6. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said foam core member has a longitudinal axis and one of said cylinder members is positioned substantially along said longitudinal axis.

7. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said cylinder members are made from a plastic material.

8. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said foam core member has a substantially rectangular cross section and a longitudinal axis, and wherein five cylinder members are provided.

9. The device as described in claim 8 wherein one of said cylinder members is positioned along said longitudinal axis and the other four cylinder members are positioned adjacent the four corners of said rectangular shaped foam core member.

10. The device as described in claim 9 wherein said at least one of said cylinder members which has a first portion adjacent said first surface and a second portion adjacent said second surface is positioned substantially along said longitudinal axis.

11. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said housing member has a recess and said foam core member is positioned in said recess.

12. The device as described in claim 11 further comprising a cover member for enclosing said foam core member in said recess.

13. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said housing member has a lead-in member at least at one end adapted to facilitate passage through said CT machine.

14. The device as described in claim 13 wherein said housing member has a load-in member at two opposing ends.

15. The device as described in claim 1 wherein said foam core member is made from a foam material, and said cylinder members are made from a Delrin™

material.