A low cost X-ray meter for the developing world to verify X-ray tube function

Degradation of X-ray tubes in the developing world is a major concern because it can lead to an insufficient dosage of ionizing radiation to patients, and create the need to re-scan patients. Current techniques used to assess X-ray tube function are unaffordable in developing world countries. Thus a method of reliably detecting tube failure needs to be developed. An X-ray meter was developed in this project, consisting of a digital circuit that can process a signal obtained from a custom-made X-ray detector. The output of this meter displays the exposure time in milliseconds and indicates X-ray tube quality as acceptable or unacceptable.