X-ray imaging system for performing automated imaging of patient anatomy

Abstract

An X-ray imaging system performs automated imaging of patient anatomy. A collimator includes at least one portion of X-ray absorbent material automatically adjustable to alter the dimensions of a spatial cross section of an X-ray beam of radiation, in response to a control signal. A collimator controller generates the control signal in response to, determining one or more regions of the X-ray detector corresponding to a portion of patient anatomy to be X-rayed in response to X-ray absorbent markers indicating boundaries of the portion of patient anatomy during an initialization X-ray exposure for individual steps of the series of pre-programed steps and determining different positions of the portion of X-ray absorbent material for corresponding individual steps of a series of pre-programed steps in response to the determined regions. An X-ray imaging device automatically moves an X-ray detector and X-ray emitter combination relative to patient anatomy in a series of pre-programed steps, in response to data representing the determined series of pre-programed steps and user command. The X-ray imaging device automatically adjusts the position of the portion of X-ray absorbent material via the control signal.