DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE

Gen. Malvar St. Davao City 8000

RADIOLOGIC TEHCNOLOGY PROGRAM

Imaging Equipment & Maintenance

Name: Michaela P. Suarez Rating: _____________

Section: 51 B Remarks: ___________
Date Submitted: March 2, 2020

Activity 3

Title: Automatic Exposure Control

I - Objectives

1. State the purpose of automatic exposure control (AEC) in radiography.

2. Differentiate among the types of radiation detectors used in AEC systems.
3. Explain how alignment and positioning affect the response of the AEC device.
4. State the importance of calibration of the AEC system to the type of image receptor used.

II – Discussion

For a good radiograph one needs to select the appropriate kVp, tube current and time of
exposure. Many devices have been established with current values so only the kVp and time need to be
selected, some equipment works selecting only a percentage, others selecting the desired current and
exposure time, and some selecting only the kVp. One of them is what we call AEC or Automatic Exposure
Control, there are Imaging systems that incorporates Automatic Exposure Control or AEC within them
for the fact that Automatic Exposure Control in radiography is a device that measures the quantity of
radiation that reaches the image receptor. It automatically terminates the exposure when the image
receptor has received the required radiation intensity. It is designed to adjust the kilovoltage,
milliamperage, or exposure time in order to obtain an image of diagnostic quality, be it for radiography
or fluoroscopy. It also can be used with satisfying results to improve the general film quality in routine
radiography. The AEC system uses one or more physically thin radiation ionization chambers called "AEC
detector" which is positioned between the patient being x-rayed and the x-ray film cassette. Where low
energy x-rays are used such as in mammography the AEC detector is placed behind the image receptor
to avoid creating a shadow.

It is used to terminate the exposure when a predetermined amount of radiation has been
received. The next radiation detector is the Solid-state radiation detectors, which is used for exposure-
timer checks. It measure the exposure times as short as 1 ms and when used with an oscilloscope, it can
display radiation waveform.The primary goal of AEC is to produce high-quality radiographs consistently
with minimal technical factors set by the radiographer. AEC can be a helpful device, but only if the
radiographer understands the principle governing its operation, applies them properly, and knows how
to compensate for variations. There are certain decisions that must be made by the radiographer, such
as proper sensor selection, appropriate kVp and mA selection, density control adjustment, and correct
patient positioning both anatomically and relative to the proper sensor. Alignment and positioning affect
the response of the AEC device, because it requires modification of exposure factors. For example, an
oblique position of the lumbar spine requires more exposure because of an increase in the amount of
DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE
Gen. Malvar St. Davao City 8000

RADIOLOGIC TEHCNOLOGY PROGRAM

Imaging Equipment & Maintenance

tissue through which the primary beam must pass. However in an oblique ankle radiograph, it requires a
slightly less exposure for comparable exposure to the IR.

The energy responses of digital radiography detectors differ from those of screen-film systems.
To provide a consistent level of image quality at different tube potentials automatic exposure control
(AEC) devices must be calibrated to suit the energy response of the image receptor with which they are
intended for use. AEC calibration for digital radiography systems requires an alternative parameter to
optical density, ideally one related to the quality of a digital image. Energy responses of computed
radiography (CR) and indirect digital radiography (IDR) image receptors have been calculated, and
compared with those for screen-film systems. AEC devices are calibrated to ensure that similar exams
have linearity in optical density. Calibration and quality control testing are essential procedures for
maintaining the proper function of the AEC system. For an AEC device to function properly , the
radiographic unit, including the type of IR and the AEC device must be calibrated to meet departmental
standards. When a radiographic unit with AEC is first installed, the AEC device is calibrated. The purpose
of calibration is to ensure that consistent and appropriate exposures to the IR are produced. Failure to
maintain regular calibration of the unit results in the lack of consistent and reproducible exposures to
the detectors and could affect the image quality. This situation ultimately leads to over exposure of the
patient and poor efficiency of the imaging department as well as the possibility of improper
interpretation of radiographs.

III – Guide Questions

1. Discuss patient and exposure technique factors and their effect on the response of the AEC device.
- The AEC system is designed to compensate for changes in patient thickness. If the area of
interest is thicker because of an increase in the patient’s size, the exposure time will lengthen in order to
reach the preset exposure to the detectors. AEC systems that do not adequately compensate for
changes in patient thickness may need to be calibrated. Some patients may require greater technical
consideration when AEC is used for radiographic procedures. Abdominal examinations using AEC can be
compromised if a patient has an excessive amount of bowel gas. If a detector is superimposed by an
area of the abdomen with excessive gas, the timer will terminate the exposure prematurely, resulting in
underexposure to the IR. Likewise, destructive pathologic conditions can cause under exposure of the
area of radiologic interest.

2. What are the types of radiation detectors used in AEC systems.

- The AEC system uses one or more physically thin radiation ionization chambers called "AEC
detector" which is positioned between the patient being x-rayed and the x-ray film cassette. Where low
energy x-rays are used such as in mammography the AEC detector is placed behind the image receptor
to avoid creating a shadow. It is used to terminate the exposure when a predetermined amount of
radiation has been received. The next radiation detector is the Solid-state radiation detectors, which is
used for exposure-timer checks. It measure the exposure times as short as 1 ms and when used with an
oscilloscope, it can display radiation waveform.

3. State the importance of calibration of the AEC system to the type of image receptor used.
-. Calibration and quality control testing are essential procedures for maintaining the proper
function of the AEC system. For an AEC device to function properly , the radiographic unit, including the
type of IR and the AEC device must be calibrated to meet departmental standards. When a radiographic
DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE
Gen. Malvar St. Davao City 8000

RADIOLOGIC TEHCNOLOGY PROGRAM

Imaging Equipment & Maintenance

unit with AEC is first installed, the AEC device is calibrated. The purpose of calibration is to ensure that
consistent and appropriate exposures to the IR are produced. Failure to maintain regular calibration of
the unit results in the lack of consistent and reproducible exposures to the detectors and could affect
the image quality.

4. What is the purpose of automatic exposure control (AEC) in radiography.

- Automatic Exposure Control in radiography is a device that measures the quantity of radiation
that reaches the image receptor. It automatically terminates the exposure when the image receptor has
received the required radiation intensity. It is designed to adjust the kilovoltage, milliamperage, or
exposure time in order to obtain an image of diagnostic quality, be it for radiography or fluoroscopy.
AEC is a tool available on most modern radiographic units to assist the radiographer in determining the
amount of radiation exposure to produce a quality image. It is a system used to control consistently the
amount of radiation reaching the IR by terminating the length of exposure. It is excellent at producing
consistent levels of exposure when used properly, but the radiographer must also be aware of the
limitations of this.

5. Explain how alignment and positioning affect the response of the AEC device.
- Alignment and positioning affect the response of the AEC device, because it requires
modification of exposure factors. For example, an oblique position of the lumbar spine requires more
exposure because of an increase in the amount of tissue through which the primary beam must pass.
However in an oblique ankle radiograph, it requires a slightly less exposure for comparable exposure to
the IR. Measuring radiation that passes through the anatomic area of interest is important. Failure to
use the proper detectors could result to in either under exposure or over exposure to the IR.