Phantom systems and methods for diagnostic x-ray equipment

A method of testing x-ray equipment comprising:

• providing at least one image plate made of at least one image plate material;
• forming at least one base plate by selecting, sizing, and dimensioning at least one base plate material such that one base plate, in combination with one image plate, yields a first transmitted energy spectrum that emulates a first reference energy spectrum associated with a human chest;
• forming at least one first plate by selecting, sizing, and dimensioning at least one first plate material such that one first plate, in combination with one image plate and one base plate, yields a second transmitted energy spectrum that emulates a second reference energy spectrum associated with a human abdomen;
• forming at least one second plate by selecting, sizing, and dimensioning at least one second plate material such that one second plate, in combination with one image plate and one base plate, yields a first transmitted doserate that emulates a first reference doserate associated with a human chest;
• and
• forming at least one third plate by selecting, sizing, and dimensioning at least one third plate material such that one third plate, in combination with one image plate, one base plate, and one first plate yields a second transmitted doserate that emulates a second reference doserate associated with a human abdomen;
• and
• testing the x-ray equipment using at least one of the at least one image plate, the at least one base plate, at least one first plate, the at least one second plate, and the at least one third plate.

A phantom assembly for testing x-ray equipment comprising:

• a base assembly comprising
• a base housing,
• an image plate made of at least one image plate material,
• at least one base plate made of at least one base material, and
• a base mounting portion;
• a first plate assembly comprising
• a first plate housing,
• a first plate made of at least one first plate material,
• a primary second housing mounting portion, and
• a secondary second housing mounting portion;
• a second plate assembly comprising
• a second plate housing,
• a second plate made of at least one second plate material, and
• a third housing mounting portion;
• a third plate assembly comprising
• a third plate housing,
• a third plate made of at least one third plate material,
• a fourth housing mounting portion;
• wherein
• the at least one base material is selected, sized, and dimensioned such that the base plate, in combination with the image plate, yields a first transmitted energy spectrum that emulates a first reference energy spectrum associated with a human chest;
• the at least one first plate material is selected, sized, and dimensioned such that the first plate, in combination with the image plate and the base plate, yields a second transmitted energy spectrum that emulates a second reference energy spectrum associated with a human abdomen;
• the at least one second plate material is selected, sized, and dimensioned such that the second plate, in combination with the image plate and the base plate, yields a first transmitted doserate that emulates a first reference doserate associated with a human chest;
• the at least one third plate material is selected, sized, and dimensioned such that the third plate, in combination with the image plate, the base plate, and the first plate yields a second transmitted doserate that emulates a second reference doserate associated with a human abdomen;
• the base mounting portion and the primary second housing mounting portion are configured to allow the first plate housing to be detachably attached to the base housing;
• the secondary second housing mounting portion and the third housing mounting portion are configured to allow the second plate housing to be detachably attached to the base housing;
• and
• the base mounting portion and the fourth housing mounting portion are configured to allow the third plate housing to be detachably attached to the base housing.