Movable radiation shielding

Abstract

The present invention relates to a radiation shield (1) for protecting an operator from ionizing radiation, the shield (1) comprising a front wall structure (2) made of one or more radiation-resistant materials and a side wall structure (3) made of one or more radiation-resistant materials, which are connected to each other at a vertical or substantially vertical corner edge (4), the shield (1) comprising a base (5) equipped with wheels (6) resting on the ground. Furthermore, according to the invention, the shield (1) is characterized in that the front wall structure (2) comprises a lower portion (21) and an upper portion (22) movable relative to each other, the upper portion (22) of the front wall structure (2) being mounted to pivot about a vertical or substantially vertical pivot (7) in the region of the corner edge (4).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the application filed on December 13, 2017, with application number 201780086274.9 and invention title "Portable Radiation Shielding". Technical Field

[0002] This invention generally relates to the field of devices for preventing ionizing radiation.

[0003] It specifically relates to radiation shielding (protective coverings) used in medical or other fields to protect operators from ionizing radiation emissions such as X-rays. It also relates to a cover-shaped device for enclosing such shielding by covering it for use in a sterile, protected environment. Background Technology

[0004] During certain examinations or interventions, patients are exposed to ionizing radiation used for examination, diagnosis, or treatment, especially X-ray ionizing radiation.

[0005] This is especially true for interventions such as catheter insertion, pacemaker implantation, vascular, neurological or urological examinations, CRM (cardiac rhythm management), CRT (cardiac resynchronization therapy), or during the application of fluoroscopy.

[0006] Specifically, fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that involves using X-rays to obtain real-time images of objects. In the medical field, this technique allows visualization of the structure and function of a patient's internal organs, such as heartbeat or blood flow in blood vessels. This technique is used for diagnosis and treatment, particularly in interventional fields such as radiology, cardiology, neurology, electrophysiology, peripheral vascular radiology, and pediatric interventions.

[0007] The rooms dedicated to these specialties are equipped with fluorescent microscope instruments (also known as C-arms), which are constructed in the general shape of a movable technology housing with an extension formed by a large arch, one end of which is equipped with an X-ray emitting device and the other end with a detector.

[0008] In a well-equipped room, catheters and probes are introduced into the channel (usually the femoral or radial artery) for diagnosis or treatment.

[0009] The vascular system is visualized by using X-rays—usually along with an injection of a contrast product.

[0010] These fluorescent examination instruments occupy a large space around the examination table, and their positions often vary depending on the patient's body area for examination or treatment.

[0011] It should be understood that it is important to properly protect operators (doctors, surgeons, technicians, nurses, and others) from emitted ionizing radiation (primary radiation directly from the emitter, or secondary radiation reflected from the instrument or directly from the patient) to avoid their exposure to large doses that accumulate over time and are prone to causing various diseases (upper limb necrosis, brain tumors, cataracts, radiation dermatitis, etc.).

[0012] For this reason, protective structures exist, including clothing made of radiation-proof materials such as shirts, trinkets, aprons, thyroid protectors, glasses, etc., but they do not always cover the entire body, and their large weight is detrimental to the operator's comfort, restricts their mobility, and leads to rapid fatigue.

[0013] There are also shields or covers consisting of panels or panel assemblies made of suitable radiation-resistant materials, suspended on suitable supports, or placed directly or on the floor via a rolling base.

[0014] The structure of this radiation shield is described in documents US-2012 / 0049093, US-2006 / 0076522, FR-2915868, WO-2009 / 156660 and US-3308 297.

[0015] However, these different structures do not allow operators to work under optimal conditions. In particular, some of them are not suitable for operators located on the protected side of the shield to reach the other side of the shield with their arms or hands, for example, to intervene in a part of a patient's body exposed to radiation.

[0016] Furthermore, the shielding structures known to date typically hinder the movement of instruments in the operating room, particularly fluorescent instruments. Summary of the Invention

[0017] In order to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention proposes a radiation shield for protecting at least one operator from ionizing radiation. The shield is of the type comprising a front wall structure made of radiation-resistant material and a side wall structure made of radiation-resistant material, the front wall structure and the side wall structure being connected to each other at vertical or substantially vertical corner edges. The shield includes a base provided with ground support wheels.

[0018] According to the invention, the front wall structure includes a lower portion and an upper portion that are movable relative to each other, wherein the upper portion of the front wall structure is pivotally mounted at the corner edge about a vertical or substantially vertical pivot.

[0019] By positioning its anterior wall structure directly in front of the examination table where the patient lies, this shield allows for effective protection of the operator while granting them considerable freedom of movement. Depending on the action to be performed, the pivotable upper portion of the anterior wall structure can be moved by the operator to the side or above the patient; and in contact with surrounding instruments, such as the fluoroscopic C-arm, this movable upper portion can pivot, thus avoiding movement of the entire shield.

[0020] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the radiation shielding according to the invention (whether considered individually or in any technically possible combination) are as follows:

[0021] - The sidewall structure extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane and includes: - a free side edge, - a side edge defining a portion of the corner edge, - a lower edge, and - an upper edge.

[0022] The sidewall structure includes an upper portion and a lower portion, at least a portion of which is made of a transparent radiation-shielding material.

[0023] The lower portion of the front wall structure is defined by the following elements: - a free side edge, - a side edge defining a portion of the corner edge, - a lower edge, and - an upper edge.

[0024] The lower portion of the front wall structure extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane, which is offset relative to the plane of the side wall structure by a fixed angle between 70° and 120°, preferably about 90°.

[0025] - The shield includes a portion made of flexible radiation-shielding material, which is shaped into a panel that extends at a height of a portion of the corner edge and on both sides of the corner edge at a portion of the lower portion of the sidewall structure and a portion of the lower portion of the front wall structure.

[0026] More precisely, the panel, made of a flexible radiation-shielding material, has the following advantages:

[0027] a) Starting from the lower edge of the lower portion of the sidewall structure and from the lower edge of the lower portion of the front wall structure, extending at more than half the height of the lower portions of both the sidewall and front wall structures, and

[0028] b) Starting from the corner edge, it extends over more than half the width of the lower portion of the front wall structure and the lower portion of the side wall structure.

[0029] - The sidewall structure includes an inner surface facing the operator's positioning space and an opposite outer surface; the upper edge of the sidewall structure includes an extension forming a top plate made of radiation-shielding material, which extends on the inner surface side.

[0030] -The lower portion of the front wall structure includes: an inner surface facing the operator's positioning space, an opposing outer surface, and an upper edge;

[0031] The upper edge includes a protective extension made of radiation-shielding material that extends on the outer surface side;

[0032] The protective extension can be shaped as a flat plate extending horizontally or substantially horizontally from the upper edge of the lower portion of the front wall structure; it is advantageously pivotally mounted on the upper edge of the lower portion of the front wall structure to allow it to be lifted from the horizontal position; it advantageously includes a retractable end extension to make it retractable.

[0033] In a variant embodiment, the protective extension may include a semi-rigid bib (apron)-like portion that extends upward from the upper edge of the lower portion of the front wall structure and has an arcuate or substantially arcuate cross-section.

[0034] - The upper part of the front wall structure includes free side edges, side edges that form part of the corner edges, an upper edge, a lower edge, an inner surface facing the positioning space of the operator, and an opposite outer surface; in addition, it is composed of at least one panel made of radiation-proof material.

[0035] - The side edge of a portion of the corner edge of the sidewall structure includes an extension shaped as a wing adapted to cover the front side edge of the upper portion of the front wall structure and the associated pivot, the cover being formed on the outer surface side of the upper portion of the front wall structure.

[0036] - The upper edge of the upper portion of the front wall structure includes an extension made of radiation-shielding material that forms the top plate. This extension extends on the inner surface side of the upper portion of the front wall structure in a plane offset relative to the plane of the extension forming the top plate of the side wall structure.

[0037] - The lower edge of the upper part of the front wall structure is composed of a flexible curtain, which is formed by the juxtaposition of multiple flexible strips made of radiation-shielding material.

[0038] - The upper portion of the front wall structure includes an upper panel and a lower panel, at least a portion of the upper panel being made of radiation-shielding material, and at least a portion of the lower panel being made of transparent radiation-shielding material.

[0039] The lower panel can be vertically translated relative to the upper panel to form a retractable upper part of the front wall structure, the height of which can be adjusted.

[0040] Advantageously, the movable lower panel is attached to the upper panel by a balancing system, such as a helical spring type balancing system with constant force.

[0041] - The upper portion of the front wall structure includes a support arm pivotally mounted on the corner edge about the pivot axis, and the at least one panel forming the upper portion is movably mounted to translate horizontally on the support arm.

[0042] The present invention also proposes a cover-shaped device designed to cover at least a portion of the height of the radiation shield defined above, said device comprising:

[0043] - A flexible bag having an opening, which allows the lower edge of the upper portion of the front wall structure to enter the opening, the flexible bag at least partially covering the upper portion of the front wall structure, the flexible bag having at least one transparent portion and means for securing it to the upper portion of the front wall structure, and

[0044] - At least one flexible panel capable of at least partially covering the lower portion of the front wall structure and the side wall structure.

[0045] The at least one flexible panel includes at least one transparent portion and a fixing device on the sidewall structure and the front wall structure, the transparent portion being positioned in front of the transparent portion of the sidewall structure, and

[0046] - When the cover-shaped device includes a protective extension that extends the upper edge of the lower portion of the front wall structure, (the cover-shaped device also includes) a flexible structure that at least partially covers the protective extension, the flexible structure being fixed to the panel to cover the lower portion of the front wall structure and the side wall structure, or the flexible structure being independent of the panel, the flexible structure being provided with means for fixing it to the plate. Attached Figure Description

[0047] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, will provide a good understanding of what the invention includes and how it can be practiced, given by way of non-limiting example.

[0048] In the attached image:

[0049] - Figure 1 The radiation shielding according to the invention is shown in a perspective view from the outer surface, which is opposite to the operator's positioning space, with the upper part of the front wall structure offset at an angle relative to the lower part of the front wall structure.

[0050] - Figure 2 A perspective view shown from the inner surface, i.e., from the operator's positioning space side. Figure 1 Radiation shielding;

[0051] - Figure 3 From Figure 1 and2 The view shown is taken from above when applying radiation shielding.

[0052] - Figure 4 yes Figure 1-3 The side view of the radiation shield shown;

[0053] - Figure 5 It is based on Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the radiation shielding in plane 5-5;

[0054] - Figure 6 It is based on Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of the radiation shielding in plane 6-6;

[0055] - Figure 7 yes Figure 1-6 A perspective view of the radiation shielding shows an alternative configuration of the upper part of its front wall structure (i.e., located in the lower plane of the front wall structure);

[0056] - Figure 8 yes Figure 1-7 A perspective view of the upper part of the front wall structure of the radiation shielding, shown separately;

[0057] - Figure 9 yes Figure 8 A front view of the upper part of the front wall structure shown;

[0058] - Figure 10 It is based on Figure 9 A sectional view of plane 10-10;

[0059] - Figure 11 yes Figure 1-7 A perspective view of the radiation shielding shows another configuration of the upper part of its front wall structure, which is suitable for mounting equipment in the shape of a sterile hood for use in an operating room;

[0060] - Figure 12 yes Figure 11 A side view of the protective shield, showing the shape of the device as a cover when it is placed on its different receiving parts;

[0061] - Figure 13 This is a perspective view of a variation of an embodiment of the radiation shielding according to the present invention;

[0062] - Figure 14 yes Figure 13 Side view of the radiation shielding. Detailed Implementation

[0063] Figure 1-12The radiation shield 1 shown is suitable for protecting operators in hospital operating rooms from ionizing radiation emitted by ionizing radiation sources, such as X-rays emitted by a C-arm fluorescent examination device.

[0064] Therefore, depending on their respective components, the different parts constituting the radiation shield 1 are made of radiation-shielding material with an appropriate lead equivalent of at least 0.2 mm. For example, the lead equivalent includes between 0.5 mm and 3 mm.

[0065] like Figure 1-7 As shown, the radiation shield 1 has the shape of a movable cabin, which includes a front wall structure 2 made of radiation shielding material and a side wall structure 3 made of radiation shielding material. The front wall structure and the side wall structure are attached to each other at vertical or substantially vertical corner edges 4, and they are integrally mounted on a base 5 provided with ground support wheels 6.

[0066] The sidewall structure 3 has the shape of a panel extending in a vertical or substantially vertical plane, and the front wall structure 2 has two parts:

[0067] - Lower portion 21, which is fixed relative to the sidewall structure 3 and extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane, and

[0068] - Upper portion 22, which also extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane, and is pivotally mounted above the lower portion 21 at the corner edge 4 around a vertical or substantially vertical pivot 7.

[0069] Therefore, the upper portion 22 can move relative to the side wall structure 3; it can also move above the lower portion 21 relative to the lower portion 21.

[0070] Sidewall structure 3 includes:

[0071] -Free side edge 31,

[0072] -The side edge 32 that defines a portion of the corner edge 4

[0073] - Bottom edge 33,

[0074] -Top edge 34,

[0075] - Inner surface 35, which faces a positioning space dedicated to the operator.

[0076] -Outer surface 36, opposite to inner surface 35

[0077] -Lower part 37, and

[0078] - The upper part 38, at least a portion of which 381 is made of a transparent radiation-shielding material.

[0079] The lower portion 37 and the upper portion 38 extend as extensions of each other. As a delimiter, the horizontal lower edge 381' of the transparent portion 381 forms a dividing line between the upper portion 38 and the lower portion 37 (and thus forms the lower edge of the upper portion 38 and the upper edge of the lower portion 37). The height of the upper portion 38 may be at the same level as the height of the lower portion 37.

[0080] The lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2 is defined by the following elements:

[0081] -Free side edge 211,

[0082] -A portion of the side edge 212 defining the corner edge 4,

[0083] - Bottom edge 213, and

[0084] - Top edge 214.

[0085] The lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2 also includes an inner surface 215 facing a space intended for positioning an operator, and an outer surface 216 opposite to the inner surface 215; and the lower portion 21 extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane offset at a fixed angle relative to the plane of the side wall structure 3, here 90°, as seen from the inner surfaces 215 and 35.

[0086] In a variation of this embodiment, the fixed angle can be different, for example, between 70° and 120°.

[0087] The lower portion 21 of the side wall structure 3 and the front wall structure 2 includes one or more parts made of radiation-shielding materials such as lead, steel, or cast iron, for example having a lead equivalent of at least 0.2 mm, forming the frame 8 of the shield 1. Ground support wheels 6 are mounted on the lower portion of the frame, thereby forming the base 5.

[0088] These wheels 6—at least three and in this case four—are mounted on the frame 8 via arms 51.

[0089] At least some of the wheels 6 are provided with locking levers 52 for temporarily preventing their rotation (e.g., wheels 6 accessible from the inside of the shield 1); at least some of the wheels 6 are provided with anti-tilt feet 53 (e.g., wheels accessible from the outside of the shield 1). In a variant of this embodiment, these anti-tilt feet 53 may be omitted.

[0090] Some of these wheels 6 are mounted on the lower portion 37 of the side wall structure 3, and the other portion of these wheels 6 are mounted on the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2.

[0091] A large central opening 9 is provided on the portion of the frame 8 corresponding to the upper portion 38 of the sidewall structure 3 to receive a transparent panel, which forms the aforementioned portion 381 made of transparent radiation-shielding material. This panel 381 can be made of lead-containing plastic material of the "Kyowaglass" (registered trademark) type, radiation-shielding plastic material of the "Novashield glass" (registered trademark) type, lead-containing glass, or other materials, all of which have a lead equivalent between 0.2 mm and 3 mm. It is mounted on the inner surface 35 side around the opening 9 by any suitable means of preventing ionizing radiation. The transparent panel 381 extends approximately across the entire width of the upper portion 38 of the sidewall structure 3 and approximately across the entire height of the upper portion 38 of the sidewall structure 3. It has a rectangular shape approximately 60 cm wide and 80 cm high.

[0092] A reinforcing profile 10 is provided on at least a portion of the periphery of the central opening 9 to enhance the resistance / rigidity characteristics of the frame 8 of the radiation shield 1.

[0093] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 As can be seen, the lower part of the frame 8 of the shield 1 includes a large opening 11 that allows devices such as the end portion of a fluorescent C-shaped arm to pass through. This opening 11 is filled with a panel 12 made of a flexible radiation-shielding material and can be twisted by contact with the device, thus forming a shield against ionizing radiation.

[0094] The opening 11 and the panel 12 made of flexible radiation shielding material extend at the lower part of the corner of the shield 1, that is, they extend from the corner edge 4 and the lower edges 33 and 213 on a portion of the width and height of the lower part 37 of the side wall structure 3 and on a portion of the width and height of the lower part 21 of the front wall structure 2.

[0095] More specifically, the opening 11 and the panel 12 made of flexible radiation-shielding material extend as follows:

[0096] -Starting from the lower edge 33 of the lower portion 37 of the sidewall structure 3 and the lower edge 213 of the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2, extending at more than half the height of the lower portions 37 and 21 of the sidewall structure 3 and the front wall structure 2, and

[0097] -Starting from the corner edge 4, it extends over more than half the width of the lower portions 21 and 37 of the front wall structure 2 and the side wall structure 3.

[0098] On the lower portion 37 of the sidewall structure 3, the frame 8 thus includes a side strip 8a and an upper strip 8b, on which some arms 51 of the ground support wheel 6 are mounted.

[0099] On the other hand, on the lower part 21 of the front wall structure 2, the frame 8 includes a side strip 8c and an upper strip 8d, and some arms 51 of the ground support wheel 6 are mounted on the side strip 8c.

[0100] On the inner surfaces 215 and 35 of the front wall structure 2 and the side wall structure 3, a panel 12 made of radiation-shielding material is fixed to the upper strips 8b and 8d of the frame 8 via its upper edge 121 (i.e., near the upper edges 214 and 381' of the lower portions 21 and 37). The vertical edges of the flexible panel 12 remain free or are fixed to the frame 8 by elastic means to allow the panel 12 to deform specifically toward the interior of the shield 1.

[0101] The panel 12, made of flexible radiation-shielding material, is slightly larger than the opening 11 to allow for a slight overlap in the upper portion and sides, thereby achieving the desired protective function.

[0102] Panel 12 may be made of one or more pieces of PVC or flexible rubber containing lead or other radiation-shielding materials, having a lead equivalent of at least 0.20 mm.

[0103] As a variation, panel 12 can be replaced by juxtaposed vertical strips made of radiation-shielding material—for example, a one-piece strip made of flexible material or a strip made of rigid elements connected in pairs by assembly hinges.

[0104] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the upper edge 34 of the sidewall structure 3 includes an extension 14 that forms a top made of radiation-shielding material that extends to the inner surface 35.

[0105] Here, the extension 14 extends at a right angle to the plane of the sidewall structure 3 and extends over the entire width of the upper edge 34. Advantageously, the extension is made of radiation-shielding material, such as lead-containing plastic of the "Kyowaglass" (registered trademark) type, radiation-shielding plastic of the "Novashield glass" (registered trademark) type, lead-containing glass, etc., all of which have a lead equivalent between 0.2 mm and 3 mm.

[0106] The upper edge 214 of the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2 includes an extension having the shape of a flat plate 15 made of radiation shielding material, which extends on the outer surface 216 side.

[0107] The plate extends from the upper edge 214 in a horizontal or substantially horizontal position, that is, perpendicular to or substantially perpendicular to the vertical plane of the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2. It advantageously includes a rigid base 15a extending into a retractable rigid end extension 15b, so that it is telescoping and thereby adaptable to its length.

[0108] Advantageously, the plate 15 is pivotally mounted on the upper edge 214 of the lower portion 21 to allow it to be lifted from the stable horizontal position.

[0109] This possibility of lifting is advantageous, for example, to avoid lifting the shield 1 or trapping the patient if the examination table where the patient is lying is lifted.

[0110] The base portion 15a and the end extension portion 15b of the plate 15 can be made, for example, of stainless steel having a lead equivalent of at least 0.20 mm.

[0111] As a variation, it is conceivable that the plate 15 is not stretchable and can be made of flexible or semi-flexible materials.

[0112] The upper portion 22 of the front wall structure 2 is pivotally mounted around the vertical pivot 7 at the corner edge 4 above the upper edge 214 of the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2.

[0113] The pivoting upper portion 22 is defined by the following elements:

[0114] -Free side edge 221,

[0115] - Side edge 222 that forms part of corner edge 4

[0116] -Top edge 223,

[0117] - Bottom edge 224,

[0118] - The inner surface 225 of the positioning space facing the operator, and

[0119] - Opposite outer surface 226.

[0120] Furthermore, the pivoting upper portion 22 is composed of an upper panel 227 associated with the lower panel 228, which can be vertically translated relative to the upper panel 227 to form a retractable upper portion 22 of the front wall structure 2, the height of which is adjustable.

[0121] like Figure 8-10 As shown, the upper panel 227 includes an upper portion 2271, which is at least partially made of a metallic radiation-shielding material, such as steel having a lead equivalent of at least 0.20 mm. The upper portion 2271 extends downward to a lower portion 2272, which is made of a transparent radiation-shielding material, such as a panel made of lead-containing plastic of the "Kyowaglass" (registered trademark) type, radiation-shielding plastic of the "Novashield glass" (registered trademark) type, lead-containing glass, or other materials, all of which have a lead equivalent between 0.2 mm and 3 mm.

[0122] Metal edge profiles are provided on the lower edge of the lower portion 2272 and on the side edge of the lower portion 2272 between the upper portion 2271 and the lower edge.

[0123] The bottom panel 228 itself includes an upper portion 2281, which extends downward to form a lower portion 2282.

[0124] The upper portion 2281 has two parallel panels 2281a and 2281b, which are made of transparent radiation-shielding materials, such as leaded plastic of the "Kyowaglass" (registered trademark) type, radiation-shielding plastic of the "Novashield glass" (registered trademark) type, leaded glass, or other materials, all of which have a lead equivalent between 0.2 mm and 3 mm. The distance between the two panels—ignoring the gap—corresponds to the thickness of the panel of the lower portion 2272 that constitutes the upper panel 227.

[0125] The two parallel panels 2281a and 2281b are assembled by spacer profiles set on their respective vertical side edges and their horizontal lower edges.

[0126] The two parallel panels 2281a and 2281b constituting the upper portion 2281 sandwich panel 2271, and they are configured to translate vertically relative to panel 2272 to obtain the telescoping feature of the upper portion 22 of the front wall structure 2 and to make the height adjustable.

[0127] For this purpose, the lower panel 228 is suspended from the upper panel 227 by means of a balancing system—here by means of two lateral helical springs 229 with constant force.

[0128] Helical springs 229 are mounted on the sides of the upper panel 227 and the lower panel 228. They are made of metal strips, one end of which is wound up to form a helix and fixed to the upper panel 227 (around an axis extending about a plane perpendicular to the panel 227), and the other end is fixed to the edge facing the side edge of the lower panel 228.

[0129] The strength of the balancing system 229 is suitable to allow the operator to manually move the lower panel 228 up and down relative to the upper panel 227. Due to the constant force of the spring 229, the panel 228 remains in its position when it is moved.

[0130] Figure 1 , 2 4, 7 (dashed lines) and 8-10 show panel 228 in the top position; Figure 7 , 11 Panel 228 is shown at the bottom position.

[0131] The lower portion 2282 of the lower panel 228 is composed of a flexible curtain formed by juxtaposing multiple flexible strips made of radiation-shielding material. The upper edge of the flexible curtain 2282 is fixed to the lower edge of the upper portion 2281; its lower edge forms the lower edge 224 of the pivoting upper portion 22.

[0132] It should be noted that the lower edge 224 has an arc shape to follow the general outline of the patient lying on the examination table.

[0133] As a variant, the lower edge 224 can be straight.

[0134] The flexible curtain 2282 can extend over a height of several centimeters or tens of centimeters. It is made of, for example, radiation-shielding materials, such as PVC or rubber containing radiation-shielding materials and having a lead equivalent of at least 0.125 mm.

[0135] The flexible curtain 2282 can be positioned to contact the patient's body while lying on the examination table for optimal radiation protection. It also allows the operator's arm to pass through if intervention is desired on the other side of the pivoting upper section 22.

[0136] The upper edge 223 of the upper portion 22 of the front wall structure 2 includes an extension that forms a top plate 16, which is made of radiation-shielding material and extends to the inner surface 225.

[0137] Here, the extension 16 is perpendicular to the plane of the front wall structure 2 and extends over the entire width of the upper edge 223. It is advantageously made of a transparent material, such as leaded plastic of the "Kyowaglass" (registered trademark) type, radiation-shielding plastic of the "Novashieldglass" (registered trademark) type, leaded glass or other materials, all of which have a lead equivalent between 0.2 mm and 3 mm.

[0138] The extension of the top plate 16 extends in a plane offset relative to the plane of the extension of the top plate 14 constituting the sidewall structure 3, so as not to affect the pivoting of the pivoting portion 22.

[0139] The shape and size of the two extensions constituting the top plates 14 and 16 are adapted to achieve partial overlap, thus adapting to obtain continuous radiation protection regardless of the permissible position of the pivoting upper portion 22.

[0140] The upper part 22 of the front wall structure 2 is achieved by means of Figure 5 , 11 The arm 23 shown in Figure 12 is pivotally mounted on the corner edge 4 around the pivot 7.

[0141] The arm 23 is made of a flat element made of steel, which extends horizontally from the upper part of the corner edge 4.

[0142] One end of the arm 23 is hinged to the ground relative to the side edge 32 of the sidewall structure 3 around the vertical pivot 7. The arm 23 is inserted into the receiving space 24 formed in the upper portion 2271 of the upper panel 227 of the pivot portion 22, thereby extending laterally to serve as a support for the assembly formed by the upper panel 227, the lower panel 228 and the extension forming the top plate 16.

[0143] The assembly consisting of the upper panel 227, the lower panel 228, and the extension forming the top plate 16 is movably mounted to be horizontally movable on the support arm 23 in order to occupy:

[0144] - In the active position, in which the side edge 222 of the pivoting upper portion 22 is positioned as close as possible to the side edge 32 of the sidewall structure 3 (e.g., Figures 1 to 7 (as shown), and

[0145] - Inactive position, in which the side edge 222 of the pivoting upper portion 22 is positioned at a certain distance from the side edge 32 of the sidewall structure 3 (e.g., Figure 11 and 12 (As shown), to allow for the fixation of sterile covering equipment, as will be explained below.

[0146] The upper part of the receiving space 24 is advantageously provided with a roller 26 (e.g., Figure 10 As shown, these rollers are arranged to roll on the upper edge of the support arm 23 and facilitate corresponding sliding operations to take the aforementioned active and inactive positions.

[0147] It is also conceivable to have a device for releasably locking the aforementioned active and inactive positions. Such a device—not shown in the figures—may include an indexing system, such as a ball (or balls) mounted on a spring and supported by one element and engaging with a receptacle formed on another element.

[0148] exist Figure 1-7 As can be seen, the side edge 32 of the upper portion 38 of the sidewall structure 3, which forms part of the corner edge 4, includes an extension with the shape of a wing 27 extending over a width of several centimeters. This wing 27 is configured to cover the side edge 222 on the outer surface 226 of the upper portion 22 in front of the upper portion 22 when the upper portion 22 of the current wall structure 2 is in the active position, and to cover the associated pivot 7, thereby optimizing the radiation protection of the shield 1.

[0149] For illustrative purposes only, the height of the shield 1, i.e., the distance between the support plane of the roller 6 at the ground and the extensions constituting the top plates 14 and 16, can be approximately 1.90 to 2.30 m. The width of the side wall structure 3 and the width of one of the two portions 21 and 22 of the front wall structure 2 can be less than or equal to 0.80 m, for example, approximately 0.60 to 0.80 m; the upper edge 214 of the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2 can extend at a height of approximately 0.70 to 1.10 m.

[0150] The upper portion 22 of the front wall structure 2 is mounted to pivot about pivot 7 between the following positions:

[0151] - Close location, such as Figure 7 As shown, in this position, the upper portion 22 extends in a plane parallel or substantially parallel to the plane extending from the lower portion 21, and serves as or substantially as an extension of the lower portion 21.

[0152] - The position of the largest opening, such as Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in this position, the upper portion 22 extends in a plane offset toward the outer surface 216 of the lower portion 21.

[0153] The corresponding pivot sector a( Figure 3 It can be between 50° and 90°, for example, about 60°.

[0154] When the aforementioned radiation shield 1 is used in an operating room, certain parts constituting the shield are, as... Figure 12 The aseptic covering device 40 shown is used for covering.

[0155] The aseptic covering device 40 is configured to cover at least a portion of the height of the inner and outer surfaces of the radiation shield 1, and the covering device includes:

[0156] - Covering portion 401, which is configured to at least partially cover the upper portion 22 of the front wall structure 2.

[0157] - Covering portion 402, configured to at least partially cover the lower portion 21 of the sidewall structure 3 and the front wall structure 2, and

[0158] - The cover portion 403, which is a flexible structure, is configured to at least partially cover the protective extension formed as a flat plate 15, and the cover portion 403 may be fixed or not fixed to the cover portion 402.

[0159] The cover portion 401 is configured to cover the lower panel 228 of the pivoting upper portion 22. It is in the form of a flexible sleeve or bag made of a transparent material, such as a transparent polypropylene sheet having an overall square or rectangular shape, and has a positioning opening 401a on one edge.

[0160] After the upper part 22 has been moved to an inactive position, for example Figure 11 and 12 As shown (i.e., its side edge 222 is separated from the side edge 32 of the sidewall structure 3), the flexible bag 401 is positioned by introducing the lower edge 224 of the upper portion 22 into the opening 401a. Once the flexible bag 401 is correctly positioned around the bottom plate 228, appropriate fastening devices of the type of adhesive tape, suction cups, elastic bands, etc., ensure that it is held in that position.

[0161] This positioning is made possible by placing the upper portion 22 of the radiation shield 1 in an inactive position. Obviously, when the upper portion must be used, it must be placed back in the active position.

[0162] The covering portion 402 includes at least one panel made of a flexible material, which is adapted to cover a portion of the height of the lower portions 21 and 37 of the front wall structure 2 and the side wall structure 3, as well as a portion of the height of the upper portion 38 of the side wall 3.

[0163] Here, the covering portion 402 includes a single panel, which is composed of an assembly of multiple panels made of different materials—namely, panel 402a and panel 402b. Panel 402a is made of a transparent material such as polypropylene and is intended to be positioned in front of the transparent portion 381 of the sidewall structure 3. Panel 402b is made of an opaque nonwoven material such as polypropylene and is intended to be positioned on the lower portions 21 and 37 of the front wall structure 2 and the sidewall structure 3.

[0164] Positioning of the covering portion 402 is accomplished by simply covering the corresponding area of ​​the radiation shield 1. To simplify the start of this operation, the material panel 402 may include a hook structure on one end edge, which is configured to hook onto a hook structure 27 pre-positioned on the base 8 of the shield 1, for example at the height of the covering wing 27.

[0165] Once the cover portion 402 is correctly positioned, appropriate fastening devices of the type such as adhesive tape, suction cups, elastic bands, etc., ensure that it remains in that position.

[0166] The covering portion 403 for covering the protective extension in the form of the flat plate 15 may have the form of an extension fixed to the covering portion 402, and it is provided with a suitable fixing device of the type of adhesive tape, suction cup, elastic band, etc. to ensure that it is held in the position.

[0167] As a variation, the cover portion 403 may take the form of a separate sleeve or bag made of a flexible material such as polypropylene, having an overall rectangular shape with a positioning opening on one edge.

[0168] The flexible bag 403 is then positioned by inserting the end of the protective extension in the form of a flat plate 15 into the opening of the flexible bag 403. After proper positioning, appropriate fastening devices of the type of adhesive tape, suction cups, elastic bands, etc., ensure that it remains in that position.

[0169] Still as a variant, it can be used as, for example Figure 13 and 14 The semi-rigid bib-like portion shown is used to replace the one through Figures 1 to 12 The embodiment shown is a flat plate 15.

[0170] If possible Figure 13 and 14 As can be seen, the semi-rigid bib-shaped portion 15' extends upward from the upper edge 214 of the lower portion 21 of the front wall structure 2 and cantilevered to the outer surface 216 side.

[0171] It includes a one-piece panel made of radiation-shielding material (such as leaded PVC or rubber or other radiation-shielding materials), which is fixed along the upper edge 214, with its cantilevered edge being free.

[0172] At rest, the bib-like portion 15' has a curved or arc-shaped cross-section.

[0173] Because it is semi-rigid, its shape and positioning can be modified voluntarily by the operator or based on contact with the instrument or surrounding components (patient, patient support table, etc.).

[0174] The radiation shield 1 according to the invention is particularly suitable for protecting one or more operators in an operating room containing one or more instruments that emit ionizing radiation, especially fluorescein instruments.

[0175] The radiation shield 1 can be easily moved by simply rolling it on the surface to properly position its front wall structure 2 and side wall structure 3 between the operator and the ionizing radiation emitting device.

[0176] like Figure 2 As shown, it can be positioned as close as possible to the examination table T where the patient lies, with its front wall structure 2 placed along the table T.

[0177] The operator can then manually move the pivoting upper portion 22 and the vertically translating portion 228 to make operation comfortable and optimize radiation protection according to the intervention he must perform on the patient.

[0178] Specifically, it is evident that pivoting the upper pivot portion 22 to the front ensures effective radiation protection, with the flexible curtain 2282 in contact with the patient, and a large opening is left above the patient in front of the lower portion 21 of the anterior wall structure 2 to facilitate operator intervention.

[0179] The movable shield on the wheels does not interact with the patient. It also allows the operator to intervene in the patient in an emergency.

[0180] On the other hand, it is clear that contact between certain movable parts of the device (e.g., the arc of the fluorescent transparent device) and the flexible panel 12 or the pivoting upper part 22 will not cause any major disturbance to the overall positioning of the radiation shield 1.

Claims

1. A radiation shield (1) for protecting at least one operator from ionizing radiation, the shield (1) comprising a front wall structure (2) made of radiation-resistant material and a side wall structure (3) made of radiation-resistant material, the front wall structure and the side wall structure being connected to each other at vertical or substantially vertical corner edges (4), the shield (1) comprising a base (5) provided with ground support wheels (6). The front wall structure (2) includes a lower portion (21) and an upper portion (22) that are movable relative to each other, the upper portion (22) of the front wall structure (2) being pivotally mounted at the corner edge (4) about a vertical or substantially vertical pivot (7). The sidewall structure (3) extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane and includes: - Free side edge (31), - Side edge (32) defining a portion of the corner edge (4), - Lower edge (33), and - Upper edge (34). The sidewall structure (3) includes an upper portion (38) and a lower portion (37), at least a portion (381) of the upper portion being made of a transparent radiation-shielding material. The lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2) is defined by the following elements: - a free side edge (211), - a side edge (212) defining a portion of the corner edge (4), - a lower edge (213), and - an upper edge (214). The lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2) extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane at a fixed angle between 70° and 120° offset from the plane of the side wall structure (3). Its characteristic is that it includes a portion made of a flexible radiation-shielding material and shaped into a panel (12), the panel: -Extends at a height of a portion of the corner edge (4), and - Extends on both sides of the corner edge (4), on a portion of the lower part (37) of the side wall structure (3), and on a portion of the lower part (21) of the front wall structure (2).

2. The shielding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The panel (12) is made of a flexible radiation-shielding material: -Starting from the lower edge (33) of the lower portion (37) of the sidewall structure (3) and from the lower edge (213) of the lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2), extending at a height greater than half of the lower portion (37) of the sidewall structure (3) and the lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2), and -Starting from the corner edge (4), it extends over more than half the width of the lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2) and the lower portion (37) of the side wall structure (3).

3. The shielding according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, On the lower portion (37) of the side wall structure (3), the shielding frame (8) includes an upper strip (8b) and side strips (8a) on which some arms (51) of the ground support wheel (6) are mounted; on the lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2), the frame (8) includes an upper strip (8d) and side strips (8c) on which some arms (51) of the ground support wheel (6) are mounted; the panel (12) made of radiation shielding material is fixed to the upper strips (8b and 8d) of the frame (8) by its upper edge (121).

4. The shielding according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vertical edges of the flexible panel (12) remain free.

5. The shielding according to claim 3, characterized in that, The vertical edge of the flexible panel (12) is fixed to the frame (8) by means of an elastic device.

6. The shielding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lower portion (21) of the front wall structure (2) extends in a vertical or substantially vertical plane at a fixed angle offset by 90° from the plane of the side wall structure (3).

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