Simple and accurate tissue simulation

This work presents a computational approach to the design of material combinations that accurately match the x-ray interaction properties of materials of medical interest such as human tissues of various kinds. The method is based on the concept of basis materials. This concept states that the linear (total) attenuation coefficient of a material of biological interest, i.e., materials consisting of elements that have atomic numbers no greater than 20, can be matched with good accuracy by the weighted sum of two other, dissimilar materials with the same atomic number limitation, in the diagnostic energy range (10-150 keV)1. In this work the concept is expanded to three or more materials. Results of computations for two-, three-, and four-material combinations are presented. Preliminary results from a novel verification procedure are also presented. The software for performing the required calculations will be made available on GitHub. (author)