Anti-radiation sight glass

Abstract

The present invention relates to an anti-radiation viewing window (1) intended to be fitted into an opening (O) provided in a wall (P) separating a space exposed to ionizing radiation, called a hot space (C), from a space not exposed to ionizing radiation, called a cold space (C). The radiation-resistant viewing window (1) comprises a screen (2) made of transparent radiation-protective material and associated with a peripheral mounting frame (3). According to the present invention, the joint structure (6) is positioned between the peripheral blade (34) of the peripheral mounting frame (3) and the peripheral screen edge (2c), The front screen surface (2b) of the screen (2) made of a transparent radiation protection material, the front joint surface (6a) of the joint structure (6), and at least a portion of the outer surface (352) of the attachment vane (35) extending in an extension of the front joint surface (6a) are located in the same plane (A) or substantially in the same plane (A).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of protection against ionizing radiation.

[0002] In particular, the invention relates to an anti-radiation viewing port intended to be mounted around an opening in a wall separating a space exposed to ionizing radiation (called a hot space) from a space not exposed to ionizing radiation (called a cold space). [Background technology]

[0003] Some hospitals and clinic departments have one or more interventional radiology (IVR) rooms in which surgical procedures are performed under the influence of ionizing radiation, particularly x-rays.

[0004] Such radiation rooms are surrounded by walls having smooth interior surfaces so that biological disinfection can be performed efficiently and easily.

[0005] These walls are also adapted to ensure effective protection against ionizing radiation (especially X-rays) and often comprise at least one window, also called a "sighthole", providing visual access from the outside to the operations taking place inside.

[0006] These radiation-resistant sight glasses are fitted into a wall opening in the wall separating the hot and cold spaces and comprise a screen made of a transparent radiation-protecting material and associated with a perimeter frame for mounting around the perimeter of the wall opening.

[0007] However, current sight glasses often have various rebates, ribs or grooves on the hot space side, making their cleaning and disinfection very complicated. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art, the present invention provides an anti-radiation viewing window intended to be fitted in a wall opening provided in a wall separating a space exposed to ionizing radiation, called hot space, from a space not exposed to ionizing radiation, called cold space, the wall opening being delimited by a front wall surface directed towards the hot space, a rear wall surface directed towards the cold space and an opening edge connecting the front and rear wall surfaces, said radiation-resistant sight glass comprises a screen made of a transparent radiation-protecting material, bounded by a rear screen surface intended to be directed towards said cold space, a front screen surface intended to be directed towards said hot space and a peripheral screen edge; In an anti-radiation sight glass, the screen made of a transparent radiation-protecting material is associated with a perimeter mounting frame for mounting around the perimeter of the wall opening, The peripheral mounting frame comprises: - a scuff abutment blade against which the periphery of the rear screen surface is intended to abut; - a peripheral screen edge is intended to be positioned opposite a peripheral screen edge, and a distance is provided between the peripheral screen edge and the peripheral screen edge; - a mounting vane extending said peripheral vane, said mounting vane having (a) an inner surface intended to abut said front wall surface, and (b) an opposite outer surface; a joint structure is interposed between the peripheral screen edge and the peripheral screen edge, the joint structure including a forward joint surface extending between the forward screen surface and the mounting vane; the forward screen surface, the forward joint surface, and at least a portion of the outer surface of the attachment vane that extends in line with the forward joint surface are coplanar or substantially coplanar; The present invention provides a radiation-resistant observation window.

[0009] Such an anti-radiation sight glass design therefore provides a very flat surface on the hot space side, facilitating its cleaning and disinfection.

[0010] Further non-limiting advantageous features of the radiation-resistant sight glass according to the invention, taken individually or according to all technically possible combinations, are: - the perimeter mounting frame comprises a number of profiled parts made of non-radiation-protective material assembled together, said profiled parts being provided with additional inserts made of radiation-protective material adapted to ensure continuity of radiation protection between the hot space and the cold space. Preferably, the radiation-resistant sight glass therefore comprises (a) at least one insert made of radiation-protective material added in or on the mounting vane, and (b) at least one insert made of radiation-protective material added in or on the suction abutment vane.

[0011] Such a construction offers an optimal compromise between cost and radiation protection qualities. - The perimeter mounting frame comprises four profile sections assembled two by two at the corners by means of attachment squares. the inner surface of the mounting vane is assembled with said front wall surface by adhesion, preferably using a double-sided adhesive; The rear screen surface is assembled with said scoop abutment blades by adhesion, preferably using a double-sided adhesive. - The joint structure is made of resin, preferably epoxy-based resin. - the peripheral mounting frame is extended in its plane, and on the side opposite said mounting vane, by a mounting extension adapted to enable said peripheral mounting frame to be assembled to the opening edge of a wall opening by means of mounting screws.

[0012] Obviously, the various features, alternatives and embodiments of the invention can be associated with one another according to various combinations, unless they are mutually incompatible or exclusive.

[0013] Moreover, various other features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which: FIG. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a possible embodiment of an anti-radiation sight glass according to the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the anti-radiation sight glass shown in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the anti-radiation sight glass taken along the cross-sectional plane 3-3 of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] The radiation-resistant sight glass 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 is added to a wall opening O provided in a wall P separating a hot space C (exposed to ionizing radiation, e.g. X-rays) from a cold space F (not exposed to ionizing radiation).

[0016] Wall P is a wall made of radiation protection material. It may be made of concrete and its thickness may be between 100 and 300 mm.

[0017] The anti-radiation sight glass 1 is adapted to allow visual access to the hot space C for a person located on the cold space F side.

[0018] The wall opening O is delimited by a front wall surface P1 oriented towards the hot space C, a rear wall surface P2 oriented towards the cold space F and an opening edge P3 connecting the front wall surface P1 and the rear wall surface P2, where the front wall surface P1 and the rear wall surface P2 extend parallel to each other and the opening edge P3 extends perpendicular to the front wall surface P1 and the rear wall surface P2.

[0019] The radiation-resistant sight glass 1 comprises a screen 2 made of transparent radiation-protecting material and a peripheral mounting frame 3 for mounting around the periphery of a wall opening O.

[0020] A peripheral mounting frame 3 is attached to the periphery of the screen 2 made of transparent radiation protection material.

[0021] The screen 2 made of radiation protection material can be constructed by surrounding a central layer 21 made of lead glass with a thickness of 6 to 14 mm with two layers of protective glass 22, 23 with a thickness of 2 to 4 mm. The two layers of protective glass 22, 23 are assembled with the central layer 21 made of lead glass and together form a single component.

[0022] The screen 2 made of this radiation protection material is delimited by a rear screen surface 2a intended to be directed towards the cold space F, a front screen surface 2b intended to be directed towards the hot space C, and a peripheral screen edge 2c.

[0023] The radiation-resistant viewing window 1 here has an approximately rectangular shape, as does the screen 2 made of radiation-protective material, as well as the surrounding mounting frame 3 .

[0024] The perimeter mounting frame 3 comprises four profile sections 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d which are assembled two by two at the corners by mounting L-pieces 31 attached by screws 32. The corresponding assemblies can be made by means of 45° miter cuts.

[0025] The contoured portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d have the same cross section.

[0026] As can be seen in FIG. 3, each contour portion 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d of the peripheral mounting frame 3 includes, from the inside to the outside, a scoop abutment blade 33, a scoop peripheral blade 34 extending perpendicularly from the scoop abutment blade 33, and a mounting blade 35 extending perpendicularly from the scoop peripheral blade 34.

[0027] The scoop abutment blade 33 and the scoop peripheral blade 34 together form a scoop for receiving the periphery of the screen made of the radiation protection material 2. Thus, the peripheral boundary of the rear screen surface 2a abuts against the scoop abutment blade 33, and the peripheral screen edge 2c faces the scoop peripheral blade 34, and is in the appropriate position by keeping a space or distance d between them.

[0028] The rear screen surface 2a is attached to the scoop abutment blade 33 (more precisely to the face of the scoop abutment blade 33 which forms the abutment face of the rear screen surface 2a). This attachment is preferably effected by adhesion, also preferably by means of a double-sided adhesive 4.

[0029] The mounting vane 35 has an inner surface 351 which abuts the front screen surface P1 and an opposite outer surface 352. The inner surface 351 of the mounting vane 35 is attached to the front screen surface P1. This attachment is preferably performed by adhesion, also preferably by means of a double-sided adhesive 5.

[0030] The outer surface 352 of the mounting vane 35 is in the same plane A (or substantially in the same plane A) as the front screen surface 2b (at least for that part of this outer surface 352 which is in extension of the front screen surface 2b).

[0031] To bridge the space or distance d separating the peripheral screen edge 2c from the peripheral screen vane 34, a joint structure 6 is provided. This joint structure 6 extends between the forward screen face 2b and the mounting vane 35 and comprises a forward joint face 6a which lies in the aforementioned plane A (or substantially in plane A).

[0032] Therefore, as can be seen from FIG. 3, the front screen surface 2b, the front joint surface 6a and at least a portion of the outer surface 352 of the mounting vane 35 extending in extension of the front joint surface 6a are located in the same plane A or substantially in the same plane A.

[0033] Thus, on the hot space C side, the anti-radiation sight glass 1 has a flat surface which is very easy to clean and disinfect. The level difference, i.e. the height difference, with respect to the plane A is only around the periphery of the mounting vane 35 and corresponds to the thickness of the end 353 of this mounting vane 35 (of the order of a few mm).

[0034] As can be seen in FIG. 3, the thickness of this mounting vane 35 tapers slightly outwardly in order to minimize the height difference at the ends.

[0035] Also, in order to facilitate centering of the screen 2 made of radiation protective material when it is installed on its receiving scoops 33, 34, the peripheral screen edge 2c may have a slight chamfer and a flare from the front screen face 2b to the rear screen face 2a. Such a flare makes it possible to ensure a constant distance (distance d) between the peripheral screen edge 2c and the scoop peripheral vane 34 over the entire circumference of the screen 2 made of radiation protective material.

[0036] The joint structure 6 is added between the peripheral screen edge 2c and the peripheral scoop blade 34 so as to fill the distance d (or space) between them.

[0037] The joint structure 6 is preferably made from a paste or semi-liquid material that has the ability to harden over time without shrinking or shrinking too much.

[0038] For example, a resin is used, and preferably an epoxy-based resin is used.

[0039] The contoured portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d forming the perimeter mounting frame 3 are preferably made from a non-radiation-protecting material (for example a metal material such as aluminium, a plastic material or a composite material), these contoured portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d being provided with one or more additional inserts 7, 8, 9 made from a radiation-protecting material, appropriately structured and positioned to ensure a continuity of radiation protection between the hot space C and the cold space F. In particular, the additional inserts 7, 8, 9 made from a radiation-protecting material are adapted to radiation-protect the space located between the opening edge P3 and the perimeter screen edge 2c.

[0040] The insert may be made, for example, of tungsten, lead, tantalum, a charged compound, or more generally, of any material capable of attenuating ionizing radiation.

[0041] Preferably, these additional inserts made of radiation protective material are completely integrated into the thickness of the profiled part in which they are fitted.

[0042] In this case, as can be seen in Fig. 3, an insert 7 made of a radiation protective material is added to the side of the inner surface 351 of the mounting vane 35 and placed in a housing 354 that opens to said inner surface 351 of the mounting vane 35. This insert 7 made of a radiation protective material extends as close as possible to the surface of the perimeter vane 34 that is located opposite the joint structure 6.

[0043] Meanwhile, two inserts 8, 9 made of radiation-protective material are added to the housings 331, 332 arranged on the scoop abutment vane 33. The two inserts 8, 9 made of radiation-protective material are offset longitudinally relative to each other in order to optimize radiation protection. The two receiving housings 331 and 332 open at the two ends of the profiled portions 3a, 3b, 3c and 3d, and the inserts 8 and 9 are positioned there by slides.

[0044] Of course, in alternative embodiments, the number of inserts and their locations may vary.

[0045] According to another alternative embodiment, the contoured portions 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d constituting the peripheral mounting frame 3 can be made of a radiation protection material.

[0046] 3, it can be seen that the peripheral flap 34 can be extended by a mounting extension 36 adapted to allow the peripheral mounting frame 3 to be assembled to the opening edge P3 of the wall opening O. This mounting extension 36 extends in the plane of the peripheral flap 34 on the opposite side to the mounting flap 35.

[0047] This assembly to the wall opening O's edge P3 is effected by means of mounting screws 37 (one of which is shown diagrammatically in dotted lines in FIG. 3).

[0048] On the face of the mounting extension 36 facing towards the inside of the peripheral mounting frame 3, a longitudinal groove 36a is arranged to facilitate the positioning of the mounting screw 37.

[0049] The construction of the radiation-resistant viewing window according to the present invention meets the sterility and hermeticity requirements necessary for IVR procedures.

Claims

1. A radiation-resistant viewing window (1) intended to be fitted into a wall opening (O) provided in a wall (P) separating a space exposed to ionizing radiation, called a hot space (C), from a space not exposed to ionizing radiation, called a cold space (F), the wall opening (O) being bounded by a front wall surface (P1) facing the hot space (C), a rear wall surface (P2) facing the cold space (F), and an opening edge (P3) connecting the front wall surface (P1) and the rear wall surface (P2), The radiation viewing window (1) comprises a screen (2) made of a transparent radiation protection material, delimited by a rear screen surface (2a) intended to be directed towards the cold space (F), a front screen surface (2b) intended to be directed towards the hot space (C) and a peripheral screen edge (2C), In an anti-radiation sight glass (1), said screen (2) made of a transparent radiation-protecting material is associated with a perimeter mounting frame (3) for mounting around said wall opening (O), The peripheral mounting frame (3) - a scuffing abutment blade (33) intended to abut the periphery of said rear screen surface (2a); a peripheral flap (34) intended to be positioned against said peripheral screen edge (2c), said peripheral flap (34) being provided with a distance (d) between said peripheral flap (34) and said peripheral screen edge (2c); - a mounting vane (35) extending said peripheral vane (34), said mounting vane (35) having an inner surface (351) intended to abut against said front wall surface (P1) and an opposite outer surface (352); a joint structure (6) is interposed between the peripheral screen edge (2c) and the peripheral screen blade (34), the joint structure (6) having a forward joint surface (6a) extending between the forward screen surface (2b) and the mounting blade (35); the front screen surface (2b), the front joint surface (6a) and at least a part of the outer surface (352) of the attachment vane (35) extending in the extension of the front joint surface (6a) are in the same plane (A) or substantially in the same plane (A); A radiation-resistant sight glass (1).

2. 2. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the peripheral mounting frame (3) comprises a number of contour parts (3a, 3b, 3c and 3d) made of non-radiation protective material assembled together, said contour parts (3a, 3b, 3c and 3d) comprising additional inserts (7, 8, 9) made of radiation protective material adapted to ensure the continuity of radiation protection between the hot space (C) and the cold space (F).

3. 3. An anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises at least one insert (7) made of a radiation protection material added in or on the mounting vane (35) and at least one insert (8, 9) made of a radiation protection material added in or on the contact vane (33).

4. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the peripheral mounting frame (3) comprises four profile parts (3a, 3b, 3c and 3d) assembled two by two at the corners by mounting L-shaped members (31).

5. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the inner surface (351) of the mounting vane (35) is assembled with the front wall surface (P1) by adhesion.

6. 6. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the inner surface (351) of the mounting vane (35) is assembled with the front wall surface (P1) by means of a double-sided adhesive (5).

7. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the rear screen surface (2a) is assembled with the humpback abutment vane (33) by adhesion.

8. 8. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the rear screen surface (2a) is assembled with the hindering abutment vane (33) by means of a double-sided adhesive (4).

9. The anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the joint structure (6) is made of resin.

10. An anti-radiation sight glass (1) as described in claim 9, characterized in that the joint structure (6) is made of epoxy-based resin.

11. An anti-radiation sight glass (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the perimeter mounting vane (34) is extended in its plane and on the side opposite the mounting vane (35) by a mounting extension (36) adapted to enable the peripheral mounting frame (3) to be assembled to the opening edge (P3) of the wall opening (O) by means of mounting screws (37).

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