Management method and management system for radiation workers' exposure status

Abstract

To provide a method for correctly confirming the exposure status of a radiation worker who wears protective clothing such as a protective apron and performs radiation work.SOLUTION: A method for confirming the exposure status of a radiation worker who wears a protective apron and performs radiation work includes: steps 1 and 4 of attaching one 22 of paired sensors that communicate with each other via electromagnetic waves blocked by the protective apron to a radiation source 21 used in the radiation work, and attaching the other 31 to a position covered with the protective apron of the radiation worker 30; and a step 8 of estimating that the protective apron is not worn correctly if communication is established between the paired sensors 22 and 31.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for checking the radiation exposure status of radiation workers and a system for managing the radiation exposure status. [Background technology]

[0002] The Industrial Safety and Health Act stipulates that radiation workers must comply with certain requirements to protect the health of radiation workers engaged in work involving radiation exposure. Specifically, it stipulates that areas where the combined effective dose from external radiation and airborne radioactive materials is likely to exceed 1.3 mSv (millisieverts) per three months be designated as radiation control areas, and that these areas must be clearly marked with signs. It also requires that radiation workers' exposure doses not exceed 100 mSv over a five-year period and 50 mSv per year. To this end, radiation workers must wear radiation measuring devices to measure and manage their exposure doses.

[0003] In hospitals and other medical institutions, radiation medical procedures such as surgery are performed while irradiating patients with radiation emitted from a radiation source such as an X-ray generator, for the purpose of treating diseases such as cancer. Doctors and nurses who perform radiation medical procedures often work in close proximity to patients, and are therefore likely to be exposed to high doses of radiation. Therefore, in order to protect the safety of doctors and nurses, guidelines have been established stating that doctors and nurses performing radiation medical procedures must wear protective aprons or the like with lead plates inserted to block radiation over their surgical attire when entering an operating room (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] Japan Radiological Society, "Guidelines for Radiation Safety of Medical Staff," [online], April 2020 issue, [Retrieved October 11, 2021], Internet<URL:https: / / www.j-circ.or.jp / old / topics / gl_radiation_safety_medicalstaff.pdf> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Based on the provisions of the Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Enforcement Order of the Industrial Safety and Health Act, and to implement the Act, the Ionizing Radiation Hazards Prevention Act Ordinance has been established. The Ionizing Radiation Hazards Prevention Act Ordinance stipulates that radiation exposure doses should be measured by attaching a radiation measuring device to the chest or abdomen. However, a notice based on the Ordinance states that in cases such as when doctors and other medical professionals wear protective aprons in the medical field, the amount of radiation exposure may differ between the parts of the trunk covered by the protective apron and the parts exposed by the apron (unequal exposure). In such cases, the radiation measuring device of Two or more radiation detectors are used, with the first one attached to a part of the body not covered by the protective apron (such as the collar or wrist), the second one attached to the designated location on the surgical gown, and then the protective apron is put on to cover the second one. Therefore, in the case of uneven exposure, if the doctor is wearing a protective apron, the second radiation detector will not measure any radiation, or if it measures anything, it will be very small.

[0006] However, there are cases where the second radiation detector shifts position while the doctor is performing surgery, leaving it exposed outside the protective apron, and the surgery continues in that state. In this case, even though the doctor's actual exposure dose does not reach the standard value, the radiation exposure dose measured by the radiation detector exceeds the standard value (e.g., 50 mSv per year), and the doctor is unable to perform subsequent radiation-related duties.

[0007] In the past, in such cases, the doctor would explain to the operator that while performing a radiological medical procedure in the operating room, a second radiation measuring device was exposed outside the protective apron, resulting in a measured dose exceeding the actual exposure dose, and would then request a correction of the doctor's exposure dose. However, the doctor's or other coworkers' memories of whether or not the doctor was wearing the protective apron were the only way to determine the accuracy of the doctor's explanation, which was problematic.

[0008] Here, the problems of the conventional technology have been explained using the example of a doctor or other such person wearing a protective apron, but similar problems exist when radiation workers other than doctors or other such persons wear protective clothing other than a protective apron.

[0009] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for correctly checking the radiation exposure status of radiation workers who wear protective clothing while performing radiation work, and to provide a system that can manage the radiation exposure status of radiation workers who wear protective clothing while performing radiation work. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is a method for confirming the radiation exposure status of a radiation worker who performs radiation work while wearing protective clothing, comprising: a step of attaching one of a pair of sensors, which communicate with each other by electromagnetic waves blocked by the protective clothing, to a radiation source used in the radiation work, and attaching the other to a position of the radiation worker covered by the protective clothing; If communication between the paired sensors is established, determining that the protective clothing is not being worn correctly; Includes.

[0011] In many cases, protective clothing is fitted with a lead plate. In this case, the paired sensor may be, for example, an infrared sensor. Alternatively, a sensor that communicates using ultrasonic waves or millimeter waves may also be used.

[0012] In a method for confirming the radiation exposure status of a radiation worker according to the present invention, before a radiation worker dons protective clothing such as a protective apron and performs radiation work, one of the paired sensors is attached to a radiation source used in the radiation work, and the other paired sensor is attached to a position covered by the protective clothing worn by the radiation worker. For example, when a doctor or other medical professional performs a radiation medical procedure in an operating room, the doctor or other medical professional attaches the other paired sensor before entering the operating room. In the method according to the present invention, if the radiation worker is performing radiation work while wearing protective clothing correctly, communication between the paired sensors is blocked by the protective clothing, and communication between the paired sensors is not established. On the other hand, if the radiation worker is not wearing protective clothing correctly and the other paired sensor attached to the radiation worker is exposed by the protective clothing, communication between the paired sensors is established. In this way, the method according to the present invention can confirm whether the radiation worker is wearing protective clothing correctly by determining whether communication between the paired sensors is established.

[0013] Note that cases where protective clothing is not worn correctly include cases where the protective clothing itself is worn, but the clothing worn underneath, such as a surgical gown, is disordered. Typically, radiation workers wear a radiation measuring device to measure radiation exposure dose in a position covered by the protective clothing. Even if the protective clothing is worn, if the clothing is disordered and the radiation measuring device is exposed from the protective clothing, the radiation exposure dose measured by the radiation measuring device will be excessive. Therefore, in the present invention, it is assumed that protective clothing is not worn correctly, including the possibility that the clothing worn underneath the protective clothing is disordered.

[0014] Another aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, is a management system for managing radiation exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing, comprising: a pair of sensors that communicate with each other by electromagnetic waves that are blocked by the protective clothing, one of which is attached to a radiation source used in the radiation work, and the other of which is attached to a position of the radiation worker that is covered by the protective clothing; a communication information acquisition unit that acquires information about a communication state between the paired sensors from the paired sensors; a wearing state estimating unit that estimates that the protective clothing is not being worn correctly when communication is established between the paired sensors; and Wearing state estimation Department an exposure status storage unit that stores the estimation result by associating it with information that identifies the radiation worker; The present invention is characterized by comprising: [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] By using the method for checking the radiation exposure status of radiation workers according to the present invention, it is possible to correctly check the radiation exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing such as protective aprons. Also, by using the management system for radiation worker exposure status according to the present invention, it is possible to manage the radiation exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing such as protective aprons. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of an embodiment of a management system for radiation exposure status of radiation workers according to the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an installation state of a BLE gateway in the management system of the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an installation state of a first BLE ToF sensor in the management system of the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an installation state of a second BLE ToF sensor in the management system of the present embodiment. [Figure 5] 1 is a flowchart of an embodiment of a method for checking the radiation exposure status of a radiation worker according to the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a display example of spatial dose distribution in the management system of the present embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 shows an example of an analysis processing result in the management system of the present embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is another example of an analysis processing result in the management system of the present embodiment. [Figure 9] 10 is a diagram illustrating yet another example of an analysis processing result in the management system of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] An embodiment of a method for checking the radiation exposure status of radiation workers and a management system according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The management system for the radiation exposure status of radiation workers (hereinafter simply referred to as the "management system") in this embodiment is used to manage the radiation exposure status of radiation workers, such as doctors, nurses, technicians, etc. (hereinafter collectively referred to as "doctors, etc."), mainly in medical institutions.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a management system according to this embodiment. The management system includes a management device 10, a radiation generator 21 installed in each of one or more operating rooms 20 or examination rooms (hereinafter collectively referred to as "operating rooms, etc."), a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) gateway 22 attached to the radiation generator 21, a Wi-Fi router 23 for transmitting data received by the BLE gateway 22 to the management device 10, and a first BLE ToF (Time-of-Flight) sensor 31 and a second BLE ToF sensor 32 worn by a doctor 30 or the like who performs work involving radiation irradiation (such as surgery or examination; hereinafter, this will also be referred to as "radiation medical procedure") in the operating room 20, etc. Although FIG. 1 illustrates only one operating room 20, each of the multiple operating rooms 20 has a similar configuration. Furthermore, although FIG. 1 illustrates only one doctor 30, the other doctors 30 or the like are similarly equipped with the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32. The BLE gateway 22 corresponds to one of the paired sensors in the present invention, and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 corresponds to the other of the paired sensors in the present invention.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the BLE gateway 22 is attached to the top of the radiation generation device 21 at a position facing a doctor 30 or the like who will perform surgery or the like using the radiation generation device 21. As shown in FIG. 3, the first BLE ToF sensor 31 is attached to protective glasses worn by the doctor 30 or the like, and as shown in FIG. 4, the second BLE ToF sensor 32 is attached to the inside of a protective apron worn by the doctor 30 or the like, integrally with a radiation measuring device. Both the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 measure the distance to the BLE gateway 22 via infrared communication. The BLE gateway 22 receives distance information measured by the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32, respectively, and transmits the information to the management device 10 via the Wi-Fi router 23. Note that attaching the radiation measuring device and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 integrally is a preferred embodiment, and the radiation measuring device and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 may be attached to different positions inside the protective apron.

[0020] The entity of the management device 10 is, for example, a general personal computer, to which an input unit 14 such as a mouse and keyboard and a display unit 15 such as a liquid crystal display are connected. The management device 10 is equipped with a memory unit 11. The memory unit 11 includes a doctor database 111, a radiation generator database 112, and a radiation medical procedure database 113.

[0021] The doctor database 111 stores information identifying the individual doctor 30, etc. (identification number, name, etc.), information identifying the radiation measuring device worn by each doctor 30, etc. (identification number, etc.), and information identifying the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and second BLE ToF sensor worn by each doctor (identification number, etc.), along with the radiation dose measured by the radiation measuring device and the measurement data of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and second BLE ToF sensor.

[0022] The radiation generating device database 112 stores information for identifying the radiation generating devices 21 installed in each of the operating rooms 20, etc. (for example, the type and model number (modality) of the device, an identification number, etc.), and the BLE gateways attached to the radiation generating devices 21. 22 The information (identification number, etc.) that identifies the operating room 20, etc., is also stored. The information also stores spatial dose distribution (three-dimensional spatial data of exposure dose) inside the operating room 20, etc., when the radiation generating device 21 is used in the operating room 20, etc.

[0023] The radiological medical procedure database 113 stores information on the history of radiological medical procedures such as surgeries performed in a plurality of operating rooms 20, etc. This information includes, for example, the date and time of the surgery, etc., the operating room 20, etc., information identifying the patient, the type of surgery, etc., information identifying the doctor 30 in charge, etc., the type of radiation generating device 21 used in the radiological medical procedure, and the type and output amount of radiation emitted from the radiation generating device 21.

[0024] The management device 10 further includes, as functional blocks, a measurement data acquisition unit 131, a wearing condition estimation unit 132, an exposure situation storage unit 133, an exposure dose estimation unit 134, an analysis item reception unit 135, an analysis processing unit 136, and a display processing unit 137. These functional blocks are realized by executing, on a processor, exposure situation management software that is pre-installed on a personal computer or the like that constitutes the management device 10.

[0025] Next, a method for checking the radiation exposure status of radiation workers using the management system of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0026] In this embodiment, when checking the exposure status of radiation workers, a BLE gateway 22 is attached in advance to a predetermined position (see FIG. 2) of each of the radiation generators 21 arranged in a plurality of operating rooms 20, etc. (Step 1). Then, information associating the identification numbers of the radiation generators 21 with those of the BLE gateway 22 is stored in the radiation generator database 112 (Step 2).

[0027] Furthermore, the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 are distributed to each of the doctors 30, etc. who are engaged in radiological medical procedures. Then, information on the doctors 30, etc. and the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 distributed to the doctors 30, etc. is stored in the doctor database 111 (Step 3).

[0028] When performing a radiological medical procedure in an operating room 20 or the like, the doctor 30 or the like wears, for example, a surgical gown and a protective apron over it. The doctor 30 or the like also wears protective glasses. At this time, the doctor 30 or the like puts on the first BLE ToF sensor 31 along with the protective glasses, and attaches the second BLE ToF sensor 32 along with a radiation measuring device inside the protective apron (see FIGS. 3 and 4, step 4).

[0029] The operating room 20, etc. is separated from the outside by a wall made of concrete or the like having a predetermined thickness to prevent radiation leakage. Therefore, while the doctor 30, etc. is outside the operating room 20, etc., communication between the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 and the BLE gateway 22 is blocked by this wall.

[0030] When a doctor 30 or the like enters the operating room 20, the first BLE ToF sensor 31 continuously measures the distance to the BLE gateway 22 by infrared communication and transmits the distance to the BLE gateway 22. On the other hand, the second BLE ToF sensor 32 is attached inside a protective apron, and the infrared rays emitted from the second BLE ToF sensor 32 are blocked by the protective apron, so that the second BLE ToF sensor 32 does not measure the distance.

[0031] While a doctor 30 or the like is performing a radiological medical procedure, if the surgical gown worn by the doctor 30 or the like becomes disturbed and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 becomes exposed from the protective apron, infrared rays emitted from the second BLE ToF sensor 32 reach the BLE gateway 22, and the distance to the BLE gateway 22 is measured.

[0032] The BLE gateway 22 receives the measurement data from the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 and transmits the data to the management device 10 at predetermined intervals (step 5). While distance information is being received only from the first BLE ToF sensor 31, the BLE gateway 22 transmits information on the distance from the first BLE ToF sensor 31 to the BLE gateway 22 to the management device 10 at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 60 seconds) together with a signal indicating that communication with the second BLE ToF sensor 32 has not been established. Upon receiving distance information from both the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32, the BLE gateway 22 transmits the distance information received from each sensor to the management device 10.

[0033] Furthermore, while a radiological medical procedure is being performed by a doctor 30 or the like, output information of the radiation generating device 21 is also transmitted to the management device 10. Information on the output amount of the radiation generating device 21, together with information identifying the radiation generating device 21 and the type of radiation, is transmitted to the management device 10 from a control unit (not shown) that controls the operation of the radiation generating device 21. Alternatively, the information may be transmitted to the management device 10 from the BLE gateway 22.

[0034] When the management device 10 receives data from the BLE gateway 22 or the control unit of the radiation generation device 21, the management device 10 associates the data with the reception date and time based on a timer held by the management device 10 and the identification information of the BLE gateway 22, the first BLE ToF sensor 31, and the second BLE ToF sensor 32, and sequentially stores the data in the doctor database 111 of the storage unit 11. In addition, the output information of the radiation generation device 21 is stored in the radiation medical procedure database 113 together with information such as the reception date and time, information identifying the radiation generation device 21, the type of radiation emitted from the radiation generation device 21, and the time-series output amount.

[0035] The measurement data acquisition unit 131 acquires measurement data (distance information) of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 from the storage unit 11 every time new data is saved in the storage unit 11 (Step 6). Subsequently, the wearing state estimation unit 132 determines whether or not there is measurement data of the distance from the second BLE ToF sensor 32 to the BLE gateway 22 (Step 7). Then, based on this determination result, the wearing state of the protective apron of the doctor 30 or the like is estimated (Step 8). Specifically, if there is no measurement data of the distance from the second BLE ToF sensor 32 to the BLE gateway 22, it is estimated that the doctor 30 or the like wearing the second BLE ToF sensor 32 is wearing the protective apron correctly. On the other hand, if there is measurement data of the distance from the second BLE ToF sensor 32 to the BLE gateway 22, it is estimated that the doctor 30 or the like wearing the second BLE ToF sensor 32 is not wearing the protective apron correctly. As described above, the state in which the protective apron is not worn correctly includes a state in which the protective apron itself is worn but the second BLE ToF sensor 32 (and the radiation measuring device integrally attached thereto) is exposed from the protective apron.

[0036] Each time the wearing condition estimation unit 132 makes the above-mentioned determination, the exposure status storage unit 133 stores the measurement data of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 of the doctor 30, etc., and the estimation result of the wearing condition of the protective apron, together with the date and time of reception of the measurement data, in the doctor database 111 (step 9). In this way, the doctor database 111 accumulates, for each doctor 30, etc., the measurement data of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 distributed to the doctor 30, etc., and time-series data of the determination results.

[0037] Generally, the radiation measuring device distributed to the doctor 30 or the like is replaced with a new one every month, and the cumulative radiation exposure dose for the previous month is calculated. If the doctor 30 or the like wears the protective apron correctly during all radiation medical procedures performed during that period, the radiation exposure dose will not be excessive. However, if the protective apron is not worn properly during the radiation medical procedure and the dosimeter is exposed from the protective apron, all of the radiation emitted from the radiation generator 21 during the radiation medical procedure will enter the radiation measuring device without being blocked by the protective apron, resulting in an excessive radiation exposure dose. If the radiation exposure dose exceeds a predetermined standard value, the doctor 30 or the like will be unable to perform subsequent radiation procedures.

[0038] In such cases, the doctor 30 etc. has traditionally explained to the business operator that the radiation measuring device was exposed outside the protective apron while performing a radiological medical procedure in the operating room 20 etc., resulting in the measurement of a dose exceeding the actual radiation exposure dose, and requested a correction of the radiation exposure dose of the doctor 30 etc. However, whether or not the doctor 30 etc. was wearing a protective apron had to be relied upon by the doctor 30 etc. himself or herself, or by another doctor 30 etc. who was performing the surgery with the doctor 30 etc., which created the problem of making it difficult for the business operator to correctly determine the truth of the explanation of the doctor 30 etc.

[0039] In contrast, in this embodiment, a doctor 30 or the like performs a radiological medical procedure while wearing the second BLE ToF sensor 32 integrated with a radiation measuring device inside a protective apron, and information on whether communication has been established between the second BLE ToF sensor 32 and the BLE gateway 22 is stored in the doctor database 111. Therefore, if the amount of exposure measured by the radiation measuring device is excessive, by referring to the data stored in the doctor database 111 and confirming whether communication has been established between the second BLE ToF sensor 32 and the BLE gateway 22, it can be determined that the radiation measuring device attached integrally with the second BLE ToF sensor 32 is exposed outside the protective apron.

[0040] Furthermore, if it is confirmed that the radiation measuring device is exposed from the protective apron worn by the doctor 30 or the like, and an instruction is given to perform an estimation process for the radiation dose that was over-measured by the radiation measuring device, the radiation dose estimation unit 134 estimates the position data of the doctor 30 or the like based on the time series data of the distance from the first BLE ToF sensor 31 to the BLE gateway 22 measured by the first BLE ToF sensor 31, and estimates the radiation dose during the time period when the radiation measuring device was exposed from the protective apron (i.e., the time period when the distance measurement data by the second BLE ToF sensor 32 is stored) based on the spatial dose distribution data within the operating room 20 where the doctor 30 or the like performed the radiation medical procedure, which is stored in the radiation generating device database 112.

[0041] 6, the display processing unit 137 displays the time change in the position of the doctor 30 or the like in the operating room 20 together with the spatial dose distribution on the screen of the display unit 15. This allows the operator to have the doctor 30 or the like check whether there are any errors in the content displayed on the screen of the display unit 15. By performing a process of subtracting the exposure dose estimated by the exposure dose estimation unit 134 from the exposure dose measured by the radiation measurement device, the actual exposure dose of the doctor 30 or the like can be appropriately corrected.

[0042] In this embodiment, various analytical processes can be further performed based on the stored measurement data, etc. Examples of such processes will be described below.

[0043] When a user (e.g., a manager at a hospital or other business, a doctor 30, etc.) issues an instruction to start analyzing the exposure situation, the analysis item receiving unit 135 displays candidate analysis items on the screen of the display unit 15. The candidate analysis items are items to be used as axes of a graph displayed as the analysis results. Specifically, the candidate analysis items are data items stored in the doctor database 111, the radiation generator database 112, and the radiation medical procedure database 113, and include date and time, identification information of the doctor 30, etc., sensor numbers of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32, identification information of the radiation generator, the amount of radiation output, identification information of the patient, details of the surgery, etc. When the user performs a predetermined input operation to specify the analysis range and items to be used as axes of the graph from among these items, the analysis processing unit 136 reads data associated with the items from each database in the storage unit 11 and creates graph generation data. Then, the display processing unit 137 displays a graph on the screen of the display unit 15 based on the graph generation data.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a graph of the measurement data of the distance to the BLE gateway 22 measured by the first BLE ToF sensor 31 as a scatter plot, with the sensor number of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and date and time as the two axes, for all data without narrowing down the data to be analyzed. In FIG. 7, the date and time axis is in units of "days." When display in "days" is selected in this way, for example, the average value of multiple distance data from the first BLE ToF sensor 31 acquired each day is plotted on the scatter plot based on the data processing method selected by the user. If the user changes the data processing method for aggregating multiple data (for example, by changing to a method of displaying maximum and minimum values ​​with bars as shown in FIG. 8), the graph display will change accordingly.

[0045] When displaying a three-dimensional graph as shown in FIG. 7 , the display processing unit 137 rotates the graph on the screen based on the user's operation using the input unit 14, such as a mouse. When the user uses the input unit 14, such as a mouse, to surround a region in the graph, the graph surrounded by the operation is enlarged and a list of information about each point in the region, including the type (modality) of the radiation generator 21, the device number, the date and time, and the sensor number, is displayed. When the user selects any point displayed as a scatter plot, detailed information about that point (such as the operating room 20 and the type of radiation generator 21) is displayed in a pop-up. The user visually checks the points displayed in the scatter plot, and if a unique point is present, they can select that point or the area including that point to view the details.

[0046] FIG. 8 shows a graph of the measurement data of the distance to the BLE gateway 22 measured by the first BLE ToF sensor 31, with one first BLE ToF sensor 31 specified and the date and time as the axis. In FIG. 8, the date and time axis is also in units of days. Here, a graph is displayed in which the maximum and minimum values ​​of the distance data of the first BLE ToF sensor 31 acquired each day are displayed as bars based on the user's selection of the data processing method. In this graph, when the user selects the bar of the distance data for a certain day, a graph showing details of the measurement data for that day is displayed, as shown in FIG. 9. For example, if the difference between the maximum and minimum values ​​in the graph shown in FIG. 8 is larger than on other days, the user can specify that day and check the detailed data to determine the reason (for example, surgery was performed in a large operating room 20 and an examination was performed in a small examination room on that day).

[0047] 9, when a time range in which continuous distance measurement data exists (i.e., a time period during which one surgery or the like was performed) is selected, the analysis processing unit 136 reads detailed data related to the surgery (modality, type and output of radiation, patient identification information, patient exposure dose, etc.) from the storage unit 11 and displays it in a pop-up. The user can check this to confirm the details of the surgery.

[0048] The above embodiment is merely an example and can be modified as appropriate in accordance with the spirit of the present invention. In the above embodiment, the storage unit 11 of the management device 10 is configured to include the doctor database 111, the radiation generator database 112, and the radiation medical treatment database 113. However, some or all of these may be provided in a separate device that can communicate with the management device 10.

[0049] In the above embodiment, the doctor 30 or the like is equipped with the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32, but the type of sensor can be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, if it is only necessary to check whether the doctor 30 or the like is wearing a protective apron correctly during surgery, there is no need to check the position of the doctor 30 or the like in the operating room 20 or the like. Therefore, in this case, only the second BLE ToF sensor 32 may be used. Furthermore, the second BLE ToF sensor 32 may not be a distance sensor, but may simply have the function of checking whether communication with the BLE gateway 22 is successful. Furthermore, when communication is established between the second BLE ToF sensor 32 and the BLE gateway 22, a warning sound or vibration may be emitted to prompt the doctor 30 or the like to check whether the protective apron is being worn.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the first BLE ToF sensor 31 and the second BLE ToF sensor 32 communicate with the BLE gateway 22 by infrared rays, and the BLE gateway 22 transmits data to the management device 10 via the Wi-Fi router 23. However, the communication format can be changed as appropriate. However, the second BLE ToF sensor 32 should at least communicate in a format that is blocked by a protective apron.

[0051] The example of the analysis process in the above embodiment is merely an example, and various analysis processes can be performed using data stored in the database of the management device 10 or another device that is capable of communicating with the management device 10.

[0052] In the above embodiment, a configuration for checking and managing the radiation exposure status of radiation workers in medical institutions, etc. has been described, but when businesses other than medical institutions that perform radiation work check and manage the radiation exposure status of radiation workers, systems and methods similar to those in the above embodiment can be used by appropriately changing the installation positions of the sensors and gateways. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case where a protective apron is worn has been described, but systems and methods similar to those in the above embodiment can also be used when protective clothing other than a protective apron, such as protective pants, is worn. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 10…Management device 11...Storage section 111...Doctor database 112...Radiation Generator Database 113...Radiation Medical Procedure Database 131...Measurement data acquisition unit 132...Wearing condition estimation unit 133... Radiation Exposure Status Preservation Department 134...Radiation Dose Estimation Department 135...Analysis item reception section 136...Analysis processing unit 137...Display processing unit 14...Input section 15…Display section 21...Radiation generator 22...BLE gateway 23...Wi-Fi router 31...First BLE ToF sensor 32...Second BLE ToF sensor

Claims

1. A management system for managing the exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing, a pair of sensors that communicate with each other by electromagnetic waves that are blocked by the protective clothing, one of which is attached to a radiation source used in the radiation work, and the other of which is attached to a position of the radiation worker that is covered by the protective clothing; a communication information acquisition unit that acquires information about a communication state between the paired sensors from the paired sensors; a wearing state estimating unit that estimates that the protective clothing is not being worn correctly when communication is established between the paired sensors; and an exposure status storage unit that stores the estimation result by the wearing condition estimation unit in association with information that identifies the radiation worker; A management system for radiation exposure status of radiation workers, comprising:

2. The communication information acquisition unit acquires information at predetermined time intervals and stores the information in a storage unit.

2. A management system for managing radiation exposure status of radiation workers according to claim 1.

3. moreover, a distance sensor attached to the radiation worker at a position exposed from the protective clothing, for measuring the distance to the radiation source; Equipped with The communication information acquisition unit further acquires distance information measured by the distance sensor and stores the information in the storage unit.

3. The management system for radiation exposure status of radiation workers according to claim 2.

4. the storage unit further stores data of spatial dose distribution in a space in which the radiation source is placed when radiation is irradiated from the radiation source; and moreover, an exposure dose estimation unit that estimates an over-measured exposure dose when the radiation worker does not wear the protective clothing correctly, based on information about the distance measured by the distance sensor and data about the spatial dose distribution; 4. The management system for radiation exposure status of radiation workers according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. moreover, an analysis item receiving unit that receives input of analysis items; an analysis processing unit that statistically processes data acquired by the communication information acquisition unit and stored in the storage unit according to the analysis items accepted by the analysis item acceptance unit; a display processing unit that displays the analysis results by the analysis processing unit on a screen; 5. A management system for managing radiation exposure status of radiation workers according to claim 3 or 4, comprising:

6. A method for managing the exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing, comprising: On the computer, a step of acquiring information regarding a communication state of a pair of sensors consisting of a first sensor attached to a radiation source used in the radiation work and a second sensor attached to the radiation worker at a position covered by the protective clothing and communicating with the first sensor via electromagnetic waves blocked by the protective clothing; determining whether communication is established between the paired sensors based on the acquired information; When it is determined that communication is established between the paired sensors, it is determined that the protective clothing is not worn correctly. storing the estimated result in association with information identifying the radiation worker; A method for managing the radiation exposure status of radiation workers.

7. A management system for the exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing, comprising: a pair of sensors that communicate with each other by electromagnetic waves that are blocked by the protective clothing, one of which is attached to a radiation source used in the radiation work, and the other of which is attached to a position of the radiation worker that is covered by the protective clothing; a communication information acquisition unit that acquires information about a communication state between the paired sensors from the paired sensors; a notification unit that notifies the wearer that the protective clothing is not being worn correctly when communication between the paired sensors is established; and A management system for radiation exposure status of radiation workers, comprising:

8. A method for managing the exposure status of radiation workers who perform radiation work while wearing protective clothing, comprising: On the computer, a step of acquiring information regarding a communication state of a pair of sensors consisting of a first sensor attached to a radiation source used in the radiation work and a second sensor attached to the radiation worker at a position covered by the protective clothing and communicating with the first sensor via electromagnetic waves blocked by the protective clothing; determining whether communication is established between the paired sensors based on the acquired information; a step of outputting information notifying that the protective clothing is not being worn correctly when it is determined that communication has been established between the paired sensors; A method for managing the radiation exposure status of radiation workers.

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