Patent ID: 7077568

Claim:
An x-ray examination method comprising: before irradiating an examination region of a subject with x-rays for obtaining an x-ray image of the region in an x-ray exposure plane disposed behind the subject, demarcating said examination region on said subject with at least one visual marking formed by a colored band applied on the subject and acquiring an adjustment image, encompassing the examination region and in which said colored band is detectable, with a camera operating with non-penetrating radiation; automatically electronically analyzing said adjustment image for identifying said examination region therein and selecting an area projected in said x-ray exposure plane wherein a projection of said examination region in said exposure plane is substantially inscribed; and irradiating said subject with x-rays with an x-ray source and automatically electronically adjusting a diaphragm disposed in a path of said x-rays for gating said x-rays for causing said x-rays to be incident in said x-ray exposure plane only within said selected area.