Spine phantom simulating cortical and trabecular bone for calibration of dual energy x-ray bone densitometers

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a spine phantom for calibrating a dual energy x-ray attenuation measurement device for measuring vertebral bone density. Simplified construction of the phantom is made possible by equating the density variations in the three dimensionally complex and inhomogeneous spine as a set of easily machined flat surfaces of different thicknesses. In particular, the spine phantom includes a vertebra-simulating body having a base surface perpendicular to the x-ray beam of the measurement device and defining an intervertebral section, a composite bone section and cortical wall sections. These sections each extend to planes of different heights from the base surface, so as to simulate cartilage, cortical and tabecular bone, and cortical bone wall regions of a human spine, respectively. The spine phantom of the present invention can include multiple vertebra-simulating bodies simulating a range of vertebra types and densities. Moreover, the vertebra-simulating bodies may be embedded in an acrylic block lined with a vinyl layer so as to simulate a human spine surrounded by soft tissue.