Methods and apparatus for determining proportions of body materials
US7873198B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 15, 2006 |
| Grant date | Jan 18, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 16, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B90/39
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention provides an apparatus and methods for measuring proportions of body materials in body parts. The apparatus includes a device for retaining the body part, at least one reference material with at least two thicknesses positioned adjacent to the device, and at least three radiopaque markers positioned on the reference material(s). The reference material(s) each have an attenuation characteristic that is selected in correspondence to the body materials in the body part. The apparatus further includes a radiation device to simultaneously irradiate the body part, the reference material(s) and the radiopaque markers as well as a detector to detect attenuated beams of radiation and a pattern projected from the irradiated radiopaque markers. A calculation device determines the thickness of the body part based on this projected pattern and compares the attenuation values of the body part and the reference material(s) at the determined thickness.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.