Automatice exposure control for x-ray imaging

Abstract

In an x-ray imaging method, the acquisition of a signal image is split off into acquisition of two or more subimages or frames. The first subimage may be acquired with an exposure of a low dose followed by a readout cycle. The dose of the exposure for acquiring the first subimage can be chosen such that it is below the default dose for a particular anatomy. The first subimage may be used to calculate or estimate the parameters of exposure for acquiring a second or subsequent images subimage. The estimation may be such that the total dose received by the imager, in acquiring the first and second subimages, achieves an expected target value to provide an image of good quality. The first and second subimages can be combined to form the final image. A detector array supporting automatic exposure control (AEC) includes AEC pixels providing AEC signals. The AEC pixels are independently or individually addressable and / or readable.

Description

technical field [0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to x-ray imaging systems and methods. In particular, various embodiments of automatic exposure control methods and imaging devices and systems supporting automatic exposure control are described. Background technique [0002] Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) is used in X-ray imaging for exposure management. The goal of AEC is to maintain image quality by delivering an appropriate dose to the image detector while minimizing exposure to the patient. In conventional AEC methods, ion chambers or semiconductor diode arrays are used to provide output signals in real time while delivering radiation doses. Once a given threshold is reached, the exposure is terminated, usually via a separate wiring to the X-ray source generator. X-ray source generators usually have built-in special dose integration electronics. [0003] Conventional AEC methods require additional hardware, such as AEC ion chambers or se...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

If the AEC ion chamber is placed in front of the image detector when in use, some radiation that would be beneficial to the image signal in the image detector may be attenuated

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