Phantoms and associated methods for calibrating imaging systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10228436-B2
Application number	US-201715663191-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 28, 2017
Priority date	Oct 28, 2013
Publication date	Mar 12, 2019
Grant date	Mar 12, 2019

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide phantoms, and associated methods of calibration which are suitable for use in both medical resonance imaging and radiographic imaging systems. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprises a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket. At least one of the first and second components comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, comprising:
a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and
a second component coupled to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket;
wherein at least one of the first or second component comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket.

2. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the shape of the reservoir conforms to a shape of the corresponding part of the at least one pocket.

3. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the shape of the reservoir conforms to a corresponding surface of the portion of the first or second outer shape defining the corresponding part of the at least one pocket.

4. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein the portion of the second outer shape defines a remainder of the at least one pocket.

5. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein the at least one pocket is spherical.

6. The phantom of claim 5 , wherein the portions of the first and second outer shapes are each hemispherical.

7. The phantom of claim 5 , wherein the portion of the shape of the reservoir corresponds to part of a sphere.

8. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second components comprises a plurality of elongate members, the plurality of elongate members each including an end that has a respective portion of the corresponding first or second outer shape defining part of a respective pocket corresponding to that end, wherein the plurality of elongate members correspond to a plurality of pockets.

9. The phantom of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of pockets are arranged in a regular geometric shape.

10. The phantom of claim 9 , wherein the regular geometric shape comprises at least one of a ring or a spiral.

11. The phantom of claim 8 , wherein the shape of the reservoir comprises portions which locate respective centers of the plurality of pockets.

12. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein the first and second components each comprise a reservoir.

13. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first or second component comprises at least one elongate member, an end of which comprises the portion of the corresponding first or second outer shape defining the corresponding part of the at least one pocket.

14. The phantom of claim 13 , wherein the at least one elongate member is hollow, and wherein the reservoir extends within the elongate member.

15. The phantom of claim 13 , wherein the first and second components each comprise at least one elongate member.

16. The phantom of claim 15 , wherein the first and second components each comprise a plurality of elongate members.

17. The phantom of claim 1 , wherein the first and second components comprise moulded plastic.

18. A kit of parts for forming a phantom for calibration of a medical imaging system, the kit comprising:
a first component having a first outer shape, a portion of which defines part of at least one pocket; and
a second component for coupling to the first component and having a second outer shape, a portion of which defines another part of the at least one pocket when the first and second components are coupled to each other;
wherein at least one of the first or second component comprises a reservoir, the reservoir having a shape at least a portion of which locates a center of the at least one pocket when the first and second components are coupled to each other.

Assignees

• Elekta ltd

Inventors

• Bourne Duncan
• Sell Martin

Classifications

• A61N2005/1054

  using a portal imaging system · CPC title

• A61B5/0037

  Performing a preliminary scan, e.g. a prescan for identifying a region of interest · CPC title

• A61B6/584

  determining position of components of the apparatus or device using images of the phantom · CPC title

• G09B23/286

  for scanning or photography techniques, e.g. X-rays, ultrasonics · CPC title

• A61B6/583

  using calibration phantoms · CPC title