Phantoms for evaluating the performance characteristics of bone densitometers

A series of phantoms for use in the evaluation of accuracy and precision in any bone densitometer have been designed and built. The design criteria have included the tissue types to be simulated, the geometry of suitable phantoms, the sites at which clinical measurements are made and the degradation in bone tissue that is encountered in osteoporosis. Three phantoms have been built: the lower forearm, the lumbar spine and the neck of the femur. Each phantom correctly simulates the anatomical site but at the same time allows reproducible results both in the positioning of the phantom and in the simulation of a given bone density. The bone elements are replaceable, solid tissue substitutes that do not suffer from the problems associated with the use of liquid bone substitutes such as K2HPO4. (Author)