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Automatic Exposure Control
FAIRUZ BINTI MOHD NASIRRADIOGRAPHY , FPSK
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Lecture Overview Introduction on AEC
Purpose of AEC
Types of detectors Technical consideration with AEC
Limitation of AEC
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Introduction The Automatic Exposure Control (AEC) requires a special
understanding on the part of the radiologic technologist.
AEC is one method for setting exposure factors to ensure thata quality radiograph image is produce.
The AEC is a device that measures the quantity of radiation
that reaches the image receptor.
It automatically terminates the exposure when the imagereceptor has received the required radiation intensity.
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Automatic exposure control devices can assist theradiographer in producing consistent radiographic imagesfrom patient to patient, regardless of size or presence of
pathology.
The advantages of this consistency are numerous andinclude:
decreased repeat rate;
decreased patient exposure; and
increased department efficiency.
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Purpose of AECAEC is a system used to consistently control
radiographic density by terminating the length ofexposure based on the amount of radiation reachingthe image receptor.
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When an AEC device is used to terminate anexposure, the technologist sets the kVp and mA,
but the time of the exposure is automaticallydetermined by the machine.
The AEC device differs from a manual timer
because the AEC does not stop the exposureuntil the film has reached an appropriate density.
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X Ray tube
Collimator
Beam
Soft
tissueBoneAir Patient
Table
Grid
Cassette
AEC detectors
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AEC should produce consistently optimal densityradiographs because based on sensitometric,specific amount of radiation to the film producespecific density.
If the x-ray exposure is terminated when the
exposure corresponding to optimal density isreached, the resultant radiograph shoulddemonstrate optimal density.
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AEC SystemsAEC devices work by the same principle of operation:radiation is transmitted through the patient
converted into an electrical signal
terminating the radiographic exposure.
Two types of AEC have been used:Phototimers
Ionization chamber (most common)
Regardless of the specific type of AEC system used,almost all systems use a set of three detectors, arrangein same specific manner.
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Phototimer type AEC Units
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Phototimer Type AEC Units Consist of
a fluorescent screen,
a photomultiplier tube (PMT) or photo tube and a complex circuit connected to a timer designed to terminate the
exposure.
The fluorescent screen is adjacent to the photomultiplier
tube and both lie behind the Bucky grid and cassette.
considered as exit-type devices because the detectors
are positioned behind the image receptor
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Phototimer Type AEC Units Light paddles coated with fluorescent material; converting
radiation to the light.
The PMT receives the light energy and converts it toelectrical energy
The timer is tripped and the radiographic exposure isterminated when a sufficient large charge has been
exposed
The amount of light produced by the screen depends onthe amount and energy of the X-rays reaching thefluorescent screen.
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Phototimer AEC
X-RAY TABLE
X-RAY TUBE
CASSETTE
SCREEN
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PM TUBELIGHT
ELECTRONS
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Ionization chamber system
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Ionization chamber system Ionization chamber is a hollow cell that contains air
and is connect to the timer circuit via electrical wire.
Ionization chamber AEC devices are consideredentrance-type devices because the detector arepositioned in front of image receptor.
Compare to phototimers, ion chambers are lessaccurate, but there are prone to failure.
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IONIZATION CHAMBER AEC
X-RAY TABLE
X-RAY TUBE
BUCKY
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X-rayspenetrate the
thinaluminumshell and
strike the airmolecules.
Electronreleased
andionizationoccurs.
The electronsare attracted
to thepositively
chargedelectrode and
are carriedthrough anelectrical
circuit
Thechargetravel
alongthe wireto thetimer
circuit.
The timer istripped and the
radiographicexposure isterminated
when asufficient large
charge hasbeen exposed
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Even though the ionization chamberand the phototimer operate
differently, they both have thesame function:
convert radiation into an electrical
signal which will be used to
automatically stop the exposure
when the film has reached the
proper density
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Technical Considerations with AEC
To use AEC to its advantage,
radiographers must be awareof some important technical
consideration peculiar to AEC
system.
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FACTORSINFLUENCING
AEC
Patientpositioning
Detectorselection
Densitysetting
CollimationBackuptimer
Effects ofmA, kVand SID
Buckyselection
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Patient Positioning AEC units use detectors to receive radiation passing
through the patient, it is important to properlyposition the anatomical part of interest over the
detector. If the detector receives radiation coming from
another anatomical area, the exposure can be eithertoo long or too short, overexposing or underexposing
the film. If the radiographer positions the anatomical part
correctly, the AEC unit will produce a radiographexhibiting proper density.
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Patient Positioning If the radiographer positions the anatomical part correctly, the
AEC unit will produce a radiograph exhibiting proper density.
Without a technologist who is very knowledgeableabout anatomy and positioning, automatic timers are
worthless.
In fact, they may actually decrease departmentefficiency because of the increased amount of repeatradiographs that will result if used improperly.
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Detector Selection Proper detector selection must be made for an AEC unit to
produce the desired radiographic density.
There are usually 3 detectors that are connected to a
complex electrical circuit.
Any single detector or a combination of two or three
detectors, can be selected for a radiographic exposure.
Failure to select the proper detectors will increase patient
dosage because the exposure must be repeated to correctthe underexposure or overexposure of he first radiograph.
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Density Setting The AEC devices are equipped with density
controls allow the radiographer to fine tune theradiographic density that is produce by the unit.
These are generally are in the form of buttons on thecontrol panel that are numbered -2, -1, +1, +2.
These button changes exposure by somepredetermined amount or increment expressed aspercentage.
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+4
+3
+2
+1
0
-1
-2 -3
-4
+100
+75
+50
+25
0
-25
-50 -75
-100
D. SETTING % DENSITY CHANGE
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Backup Timer The backup timer is safety device that prevents
excessive exposure to the patient in cases of
timer switch failure or radiographer error.
The backup timer must limit the exposure to a
maximum of 600mAs
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Collimation Collimation affects the production of scatter radiation.
As collimation increases, the field size decreases and the quantity ofradiation decreases.
The detector is unable to distinguish transmitted radiation fromscattered radiation.
Because the detector is measuring both type of radiation, the timer isturn off too soon when scattered is excessive, which result inunderexposure of area of interest.
The radiographer should open the collimator to the extent that the partof being radiographed is image properly, but not so much as cause tostop the AEC device to stop the exposure before the area being image isproperly exposed.
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Bucky selection The Bucky must be correctly selected.
Failure to do so results in the patient and the imagereceptor being exposed to excessive radiation.
The backup time is reached, the exposureterminated.
The radiographer should be certain to deactive the
AEC system and use manual technique whenperforming any radiographic study where the imagereceptor is located outside the Bucky.
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Effects of mA, kV and SID When using the AEC units, the radiographer does not
set the exposure time.
But the radiographer can influence the exposure time
according to the mA and kV setting he chooses. If the mA is changed, X-ray quantity also changes, high
mA, produces more X-rays so the exposure time will beshorter and vice versa.
kV setting also influences exposure time when using
AEC. High kV setting, higher energy X-rays are produced,
more of the X-rays will also penetrate the part ,resulting shorter required exposure time. Vice versa.
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EFFECTS OF mA, kVp, SID ON AEC
mA AEC TIME
kVp AEC TIME
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Interchangeability of film-screen
system Different film-screen systems cannot be interchanged
easily once an AEC is calibrated to produce specificdensities.
When calibration is performed, it is done for aparticular film-screen speed.
The AEC device cannot sense when the radiographer
use different film or screen, resulting in too much ortoo little density.
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Minimum Response Time The minimum response time represents the shortest
exposure time possible.
Minimum response time usually longer with AECsystem.
This can be problem with some segment of patientpopulation, such as pediatric patient and
uncooperative patients.
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Lack of calibration Failure to maintain regular calibration of the unit and
AEC device result in radiographs that lack consistence,reproducible, and appropriate density.
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