Automatic X-ray exposure control system and method of use

An automatic X-ray Exposure Control System comprising:

• X-ray generation means for developing an X-ray beam;
• X-ray receiver means foe receiving X-rays developed by the X-ray generation means and developing an image;
• first processor means in communication with the X-ray receiver means for determining absolute intensity of the image, and for restricting further processing of the image to a selected area of the image containing anatomy of interest;
• second processor means in communication with the first processor means for determining the peak intensity and the average intensity within the selected area;
• and
• third processor means for analyzing the peak intensity and the average intensity and for adjusting emission of X-rays from the X-ray generation means responsive to the peak intensity and average intensity so as to achieve a desired exposure, and wherein the third processor means is disposed in communication with the first processor means and the second processor means such that the third processor means may signal the first processor means to alter the selected area responsive to signals received from the second processor means.

An automatic X-ray Exposure Control System for mini C-arms comprising:

• a C-arm X-ray diagnostic apparatus having an X-ray generation means for developing an X-ray beam and an X-ray receiver means for receiving X-rays developed by the X-ray generation means and developing an image, the X-ray source and X-ray receiver being disposed on opposing ends of a generally C-shaped support structure so that the X-ray source and X-ray receiver are disposed within thirty inches of one another;
• first processor means disposed at least partly on the C-arm and in communication with the X-ray receiver means for determining absolute intensity of the image, and for selecting an area of the image containing anatomy of interest for further processing;
• second processor means in communication with the first processor means for determining the peak intensity and the average intensity within the selected area;
• and
• third processor means for analyzing the peak intensity and the average intensity and for adjusting emission of X-rays from the X-ray generation means responsive to the peak intensity and average intensity so as to achieve a desired exposure.

An automatic X-ray Exposure Control System comprising:

• X-ray generation means for developing an X-ray beam;
• X-ray receiver means for receiving X-rays developed by the X-ray generation means and developing an image;
• first processor means in communication with the X-ray receiver means for determining absolute intensity of the image, and for restricting further processing of the image to a selected area of the image containing anatomy of interest;
• second processor means in communication with the first processor means for determining the peak intensity and the average intensity within the selected area;
• and
• third processor means for analyzing the peak intensity and the average intensity and for adjusting emission of X-rays from the X-ray generation means responsive to the peak intensity and average intensity so as to achieve a desired exposure.