Automatic X-ray exposure control system and method of use
First Claim
1. A method for controlling X-ray exposure when imaging an area of anatomy, the method comprising:
- (a) emitting X-rays from an X-ray source, through a piece of anatomy and to an X-ray receiver so as to form an image;
(b) determining absolute intensity for the image and selecting an area of the image containing anatomy of interest for further processing;
(c) determining the peak intensity and the average intensity within the selected area;
(d) combining the peak intensity and the average intensity to give a single value representative of density for the anatomy being imaged; and
(e) comparing the single value against a predetermined exposure control table and adjusting the emission of X-rays to achieve a desired exposure for the anatomy density as represented by the single value.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic X-ray exposure control system and method for adjusting the X-ray dose/technique of X-ray diagnostic equipment to ensure sufficient doses/techniques for proper imaging while minimizing levels of radiation contacting the patient. The system includes traditional X-ray sources to generate a X-rays and traditional X-ray receivers for developing an image of a piece of anatomy through which the X-rays have passed. A mechanism for analyzing the intensity of the image is disposed adjacent the X-ray receiver and opposite the X-ray source. Typically, the mechanism is a CCD video camera which provides two outputs, the first output being absolute brightness as recorded by the camera. The video is analyzed by a windowing circuit or similar device to select an area of the image and restrict further processing of the image to that area. Circuits analyze the windowed area to detect the peak brightness and the average brightness within the windowed area. A microprocessor mathematically combines the readings to obtain a single value characteristic of the density of the piece of anatomy imaged by the X-ray equipment. The microprocessor then compares this value with one or more predetermined exposure control tables; determines the ideal dose/technique for imaging and adjusts the X-ray source to achieve ideal exposure. Through efficient and automatic management, the microprocessor can adjust the X-ray technique rapidly, thus reducing exposure time of X-rays. Furthermore, automatic adjustment may select predetermined techniques that minimize dose, and that are less obvious to some operators.
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Citations
43 Claims
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1. A method for controlling X-ray exposure when imaging an area of anatomy, the method comprising:
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(a) emitting X-rays from an X-ray source, through a piece of anatomy and to an X-ray receiver so as to form an image; (b) determining absolute intensity for the image and selecting an area of the image containing anatomy of interest for further processing; (c) determining the peak intensity and the average intensity within the selected area; (d) combining the peak intensity and the average intensity to give a single value representative of density for the anatomy being imaged; and (e) comparing the single value against a predetermined exposure control table and adjusting the emission of X-rays to achieve a desired exposure for the anatomy density as represented by the single value. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An automatic X-ray Exposure Control System comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. An automatic X-ray Exposure Control System for mini C-arms comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. An automatic X-ray Exposure Control System comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (43)
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Specification