AUTOMATIC EXPOSURE CONTROL

Automatic exposure controls were developed for the purpose of achieving:

1)more consistent film densities

2)reducing repeat rates
3)ultimately reducing repeat dose.

All automatic exposure control devices work on the same physical principle,based
upon the ability of radiation detection devices to convert radiant energy into an
electrical current.The most common used types of detector are ion chamber and
photomultiplier tube

Automatic exposure control only control the exposure time and consequently the
total mAs.Optimum kVp and optimum mA must be manually set by the
radiographer when using AEC.
Optimum mA was defined as the maximum mA available for a given focal spot size
,which does not overload the x-ray tube heat capacity.

Ion chamber ~
Induces an electrical current when atoms are ionized by the
impinging radiation.Electron then attracted to and strike a positively
charged anode plate.
After that,it will attracted toward the positive terminal within a circuit.Electron
flow out of the anode plate and down a wire ,thus becoming an electrical current.

Photomultiplier tube
Uses a fluorescent screen to convert impinging x-rays into light.The light then
strikes a photocathode which induces an electrical current from the light energy
.Other case,the induced electrical current can be used to charge an electromagnet
which pulls the main exposure switch open and terminates the exposure.
Advantages of automatic exposure control

1) Minimum response time

AEC takes time for the circuit to detect and react to the radiation received.
Have install minimum response time(MRT) ,it is to ensure that radiographers are
made aware of it’s MRT.Optimum mAs ,would be defined as high enough at a
given focal spot size to minize motion,but not so high that the needed exposure
times are shorter than the AEC can handle

2) Back-up time

It is to prevent extreme overexposure to the patient.the exposure might otherwise

continue until the staff realized something was amiss and will release the exposure
button.common error is the staff are forget to active the correct bucky mechanism.
Doing chest at vertical chest board but leaving the table bucky on.the bucky
selection button also activates the AEC detector for the bucky.
Exposure continues at the chest board while detector at table are waiting.it will
result overexposed since the exposure will continues until the back-up timer stop
it.

3) AEC density control

This control increases and decreases the preset sensitivity of the thyraton by
specific percentages .that exposure time will automaticallybe extended or
shortened by those amount.There are various formats for this control .some have
only three setting (small,average and large patients)

4) Exposure times
Allow a longer exposure time to try to compasate

5) milliAmpere /second
Amount of mAs will compensate for inadequate penetration.

6) X-ray tube
Does not overload the x-ray tube heat capacity
Maximum mAs available for a given focal spot size
Disavtages of automatic exposure control

1) AEC’s cannot be used on anatomy that is too small or narrow

-detectors measure the average amount of radiation striking the area they
cover.portion of the detector cell not covered will receive topo much
radiation.AEC will shut off too soon,resulting in a light ,underexposed radiograph .

2) AEC’s cannot be used on anatomy that is peri[heral.

-it cause the central ray is centered close to an edg surface of the body part,so that
portion of the detector cell may extend beyond the part into the raw x-ray beam
.the detector cell will terminates the exposure early.

3) Demands of positioning for some phototimed procedures are not within the
reasonable limits of human ability.off-centering adjustment attempted for such
procedures might result in an unacceptable projection closed joint-will
superimposed.and also the collimation adjustment.

4) Easier cause AEC to shut off prematurely if the x –ray collimated field to
anatomy of interest are excessive board.it is becauses the excessive scatter radiaton
from table and body.

5) AEC’s cannot be used when there are any types of radiopaque surgical
apparatus,orthopedics correctives devices,ortho dontic dental work or other
artifacts which cannot be readily removed.

6)AEC’s also complicated to defined the optimum milliAmpere.it is becauses

additional consideration of minimum response time.