Abstract: A miniaturized C-arm and imaging apparatus for use with X-ray diagnostic equipment and the like. An X-ray imaging system is coupled to a C-arm, including an X-ray source and an image receptor mounted upon opposing locations, respectively on the C-arm. The image receptor includes a vacuum bottle type image intensifier. The image receptor is characterized by an absence of fiber optic device, and the image intensifier is characterized by an absence of micro channels therein. The C-arm is mass balanced about an axis of orbital rotation and is pivotally coupled to an articulating arm assembly supported upon a wheeled support base. The mass balance enables repositioning of the X-ray imaging system between an anterior-posterior view and an orthogonal lateral view with a single, orbital movement of the C-arm which also causes the views to define an imaging isocenter.

Abstract: An automatic X-ray exposure control system and method for adjusting the X-ray dose/technique of X-ray diagnostic equipment to ensure sufficient doses/techniques for proper imaging while minimizing levels of radiation contacting the patient. The system includes traditional X-ray sources to generate a X-rays and traditional X-ray receivers for developing an image of a piece of anatomy through which the X-rays have passed. A mechanism for analyzing the intensity of the image is disposed adjacent the X-ray receiver and opposite the X-ray source. Typically, the mechanism is a CCD video camera which provides two outputs, the first output being absolute brightness as recorded by the camera. The video is analyzed by a windowing circuit or similar device to select an area of the image and restrict further processing of the image to that area. Circuits analyze the windowed area to detect the peak brightness and the average brightness within the windowed area.