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US5095499A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Oriented mammography phantom

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-10-05
•
Granted: 1992-03-10
•
Expires: 2009-10-05
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Abstract

Abstract A mammographic phantom is disclosed having an orienting feature which permits the consistant placement of the phantom in the imaging plane of an X-ray beam. The phantom includes test objects which indicate the resolution capability of the X-ray system, as well as a step wedge which indicates X-ray beam quality. Consistant orientation permits the image of the test objects to be readily located on an exposed X-ray film and permits the step wedge to be accurately positioned adjacent the center of the X-ray beam to thereby reduce scattering affects.

Inventors

  • 👤 Virginia R. Wentz

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-31 04:53
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/58; A61B6/582; A61B6/583

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim 147 words
A radiographic phantom comprising, (a) a generally planar, slab-like at least partially radiolucent body having a non-uniform plan profile including a straight edge, (b) a series of regions of differing radiolucency disposed on said body adjacent said straight edge and cooperatively defining a step wedge, (c) a plurality of test objects including particles and fibers of differing sizes fixedly mounted to said body and having a radiolucency less than the radiolucency of said body, and (d) orienting means provided by said non-uniform plan profile to orient said body in an imaging plane of a radiographic apparatus so that the plane of said body lies substantially in said imaging plane and said body lies in a predetermined orientation in said imaging plane, whereby said test objects will lie in predetermined orientations relative to one another in said imaging plane when said body is oriented by said orienting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 147 words
A radiographic phantom comprising, (a) a generally planar, slab-like at least partially radiolucent body having a non-uniform plan profile including a straight edge, (b) a series of regions of differing radiolucency disposed on said body adjacent said straight edge and cooperatively defining a step wedge, (c) a plurality of test objects including particles and fibers of differing sizes fixedly mounted to said body and having a radiolucency less than the radiolucency of said body, and (d) orienting means provided by said non-uniform plan profile to orient said body in an imaging plane of a radiographic apparatus so that the plane of said body lies substantially in said imaging plane and said body lies in a predetermined orientation in said imaging plane, whereby said test objects will lie in predetermined orientations relative to one another in said imaging plane when said body is oriented by said orienting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
A phantom as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fibers have a diameter from about 0.10 mm to about 0.80 mm.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 21 words
A phantom as claimed in claim 1 wherein said particles have a diameter from about 0.05 mm to about 0.35 mm.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
A phantom as claimed in claim 1 wherein said particles simulate microcalcifications in breast tissue.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 16 words
A radiological phantom as claimed in claim 4 wherein said particles are formed from calcium carbonate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 18 words
A phantom as claimed in claim 1 wherein said fibers simulate soft tissue fibrillar extensions in breast tissue.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
A phantom as claimed in claim 6 wherein said fibers are formed from nylon.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4649561A Cited
US4669104A Cited
US4759045A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1995-03-10 1995-09-09 1996-03-10 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1999-03-10 1999-09-09 2000-03-10 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2003-03-10 2003-09-09 2004-03-10 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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