Notebook 7

Sammy Puccini

AEC
Automatic exposure control operates by using ionization chambers; also known as
phototiming
-Ionization chambers measure the
exposure to the receptor; this consists of three
chambers; middle, left, and right
-Diagnostic-quality exposures are only
provided for structures positioned right above
the ionization chambers
AEC consoles permit many combinations of
the chambers to be activated.
Density controls: AEC systems permit the
adjustment of the amount of radiation
necessary to send the exposure termination
signal.
Typical labels are -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3
or , , N, 1 , 1
-The ionization chamber that the part is
positioned over will use the preset kVp and
mA and terminate the exposure when the
ionization chamber has reached adequate
exposure. This is why positioning is so
important.
In using AECs there is a minimum response
time and a backup time. The minimum
response time is the length of time needed for
the AEC to respond to the ionization and send
a signal to terminate the exposure.
The backup time establishes the maximum exposure time to prevent overexposure
Caveats to AEC are that if the primary beam is collimated from the actuated
chamber, it will be overexposed. Wider collimation will result in undercut scatter, which
would make the image underexposed
Subject density and contrast problems occur whenever unexpected density is
present or expected density is absent, such as fluid in the lungs, emphysema, and
osteoporosis.
Also, time cannot be controlled with AEC.

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