IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
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국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
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출원번호 |
US-0225363
(2002-08-20)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
- Imaging Therapeutics, Inc.
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대리인 / 주소 |
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인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
80 인용 특허 :
25 |
초록
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The present invention relates to network enabled analysis of x-ray images. Also described are devices comprising calibration phantoms; methods of using these devices; methods of formulating databases containing information regarding x-ray images; the databases themselves; and methods of manipulating
The present invention relates to network enabled analysis of x-ray images. Also described are devices comprising calibration phantoms; methods of using these devices; methods of formulating databases containing information regarding x-ray images; the databases themselves; and methods of manipulating the information and databases.
대표청구항
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What is claimed is: 1. An x-ray assembly for determining bone mineral density comprising an x-ray film cover x-ray film and a calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length and wherein the calibration phantom is attached to the x-ray film cover. 2. The assembly
What is claimed is: 1. An x-ray assembly for determining bone mineral density comprising an x-ray film cover x-ray film and a calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length and wherein the calibration phantom is attached to the x-ray film cover. 2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the calibration phantom projects free of bone tissue. 3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the calibration phantom is integral to the x-ray film cover. 4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the x-ray assembly is a dental x-ray assembly. 5. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the calibration phantom varies linearly along the length. 6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the thickness of the calibration phantom varies non-linearly along the length. 7. A method, comprising the steps of (a) providing x-ray film, and a calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length, wherein the thickness of the calibration phantom varies non-linearly along the length; (b) producing an x-ray image of an anatomical structure, wherein the x-ray image comprises the calibration phantom; (c) providing an expected calibration curve for the non-linear calibration phantom; (d) measuring attenuation at a multitude of points in the x-ray image of the calibration phantom; and (e) aligning the points measured in step (d) with the expected calibration curve generated in step (c), thereby generating a density calibration curve for the image. 8. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of translating the calibration curve describing thickness into a curve describing calcium concentration. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the calibration phantom comprises aluminum and the calibration curve describes aluminum thickness. 10. The method of claim 8, further comprising: (a) comparing attenuation information obtained from the x-ray image of a subject's anatomical structure to the generated calibration curve; and (b) determining bone mineral density or structure of the subject. 11. The method of claim 7, further comprising the step of calculating the average of calibration curves to generate a reference calibration curve. 12. The method of claim 11, further comprising: (a) comparing attenuation information obtained from the x-ray image of a subject's anatomical structure to the generated calibration curve; and (b) determining bone mineral density or structure of the subject. 13. The method of claim 7, further comprising: (a) comparing attenuation information obtained from the x-ray image of a subject's anatomical structure to the generated calibration curve; and (b) determining bone mineral density or structure of the subject. 14. The method of claim 7, wherein the x-ray image is a dental x-ray. 15. The method of claim 7, wherein the calibration curve is generated in a network environment. 16. A method, comprising: producing a set of x-ray images, wherein the x-ray images include a calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length; measuring attenuation at a multitude of points in the x-ray images of the calibration phantom, wherein each point is at known distance from a selected part of the phantom; generating density calibration curves that describes the relationship between measured attenuation and material thickness; and calculating the average of the density calibration curves to generate a reference calibration curve. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising: (a) comparing attenuation information obtained from the x-ray image a subject's anatomical structure to the generated calibration curve; and (b) determining bone mineral density or structure of the subject. 18. The method of claim 16, further comprising providing an x-ray film holder attached to the calibration phantom and x-ray film. 19. The method of claim 16, further comprising producing an x-ray image without the calibration phantom of an anatomical structure; and calibrating the x-ray image without the calibration phantom using the reference calibration curve. 20. The method of claim 16, wherein the set of x-ray images are of the same anatomical structure in different individuals. 21. A method of generating a density calibration curve, comprising the steps of (a) generating a digital x-ray image of an anatomic structure that includes a wedge-shaped calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length; (b) generating an expected calibration curve for the wedge-shaped calibration phantom; and (c) measuring attenuation at a multitude of points in the x-ray image including the calibration phantom; (d) aligning the points measured in step (c) with the expected calibration curve generated in step (b), thereby generating a calibration curve for the image. 22. The method of claim 21, further comprising the step of translating the calibration curve describing thickness into a curve describing calcium concentration. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the calibration phantom comprises aluminum and the calibration curve describes aluminum thickness. 24. A kit comprising an x-ray film cover, x-ray film, a calibration phantom attached to the x-ray film cover, an x-ray imaging assembly and computer programs, wherein said computer programs analyze and assess bone mineral density. 25. A method comprising the step of analyzing an x-ray image obtained using an x-ray film cover, x-ray film, and a calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length; comparing a bone mineral density to a reference standard; making a diagnosis of osteoporosis if the bone mineral density is below the reference standard. 26. The method of claim 25, further comprising administering one or more anti-resorptive agents or one or more anabolic agents. 27. A calibration phantom comprising a plurality of geometric shapes, wherein a first shape of the plurality of geometric shapes is of a first geometric type, and a second shape of the plurality of geometric shapes is of a second geometric type different from the first geometric type. 28. The calibration phantom according to claim 27, wherein the first type is rectanguler and forms a step-wedge. 29. The calibration phantom according to claim 27, wherein the phantom comprises stainless steel. 30. The calibration phantom according to claim 29, wherein the stainless steel comprises 0.08% carbon, 2% manganese, 1% silicon, 0. 045% phosphorus, 0.03% sulphur; 10-14% nickel, 16-18% chromium, 2-3% molybdenum and 61.845%-68.845% iron. 31. The calibration phantom of claim 27, wherein the calibration phantom is less than 2.5 cm in length and less than 5 mm in width. 32. The calibration phantom of claim 27, wherein each geometric shape comprises at least one material in common. 33. An x-ray assembly for determining bone mineral density comprising an x-ray film cover; x-ray film and a calibration phantom having length (L) and varying thickness (T) along the length and wherein the calibration phantom is integrated into the film. 34. The assembly according to claim 33, wherein the calibration phantom projects free of bone tissue. 35. The assembly of claim 33, wherein the x-ray assembly is a dental x-ray assembly. 36. The assembly of claim 33, wherein the thickness of the calibration phantom varies linearly along the length. 37. The assembly of claim 33, wherein the thickness of the calibration phantom varies non-linearly along the length.
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