Dosimeter configured to be deformed for attachment to personal protective equipment

Abstract

An eye lens dosimeter (1) comprising: - a head (3) configured to accommodate an ionizing radiation detector, and - a rod (9), the rod (9) comprising: - a metal wire, and - a sheath surrounding the metal wire.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title: Crystalline Dosimeter

[0003] DOMAIN

[0004] The invention relates to a crystalline dosimeter, and in particular to a dosimeter configured to deform for attachment to personal protective equipment.

[0005] STATE OF THE ART

[0006] Some operators carry out an activity identified as "at risk" concerning the exposure of the lens to ionizing radiation. This exposure requires dosimetric monitoring. Devices are known to support the ionizing radiation detector. These devices are called dosimeters. Dosimeters are known to support the detector, position it and keep it close to the eye and the lens of the operator. Some of these dosimeters are attached to protective glasses, under a protective helmet or under a protective visor that the operator is required to wear during his risky activity. These dosimeters have certain defects, for example they cause discomfort to the operator, they take up too much space or they do not fit well on the glasses, helmet or visor.

[0007] There is therefore a need for a crystalline dosimeter that is more comfortable and fits better on personal protective equipment. This equipment can be a pair of glasses, a protective helmet or a protective visor. EXPOSE

[0008] An aim of the present disclosure is to provide a crystalline dosimeter that is more comfortable and fits better on personal protective equipment than the prior art.

[0009] The goal is achieved by means of a crystalline dosimeter comprising:

[0010] - a head configured to house an ionizing radiation detector, and

[0011] - a rod the rod comprising:

[0012] - a metal wire, and

[0013] - a sheath surrounding the metal wire

[0014] Such a dosimeter is advantageously and optionally supplemented by the following different characteristics taken alone or in combination:

[0015] - the metal wire has a diameter less than or equal to 1 millimeter and preferably less than or equal to 0.9 millimeter;

[0016] - the wire is made of one of the following materials or a combination of them: steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum and iron;

[0017] - the stem has a diameter less than or equal to 3 millimeters;

[0018] - the rod has a length greater than or equal to 100 millimeters and less than or equal to 150 millimeters;

[0019] - the wire forms a loop located inside the head, the head being molded onto the loop;

[0020] - the head is made of ABS plastic;

[0021] - the dosimeter comprises a tip, the rod extending from the head to the tip, the tip being made of ABS plastic; and

[0022] - the metal wire extends inside the tip along a contour closed on itself, the tip being molded on the closed contour. The presentation also relates to an assembly comprising personal protective equipment, a detector and a crystalline dosimeter as just presented, the detector being housed in the dosimeter.

[0023] The presentation finally concerns a method of using a dosimeter as just presented, the method comprising the following steps:

[0024] - housing a detector in the head,

[0025] - positioning of the head against a transparent wall of an operator's personal protective equipment, the head being placed on the face side of the wall,

[0026] - wrapping the rod around a personal protective equipment attachment area, and

[0027] - putting on personal protective equipment on the operator's face.

[0028] Such a method is advantageously and optionally completed after winding the rod with a step of placing the tip so that the attachment zone of the personal protective equipment is located between the face and the tip, when the dosimeter comprises a tip, the rod extending from the head to the tip, the tip being made of ABS plastic.

[0029] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0030] Other characteristics and advantages will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and must be read in conjunction with the attached drawings in which:

[0031] [Fig. 1] Figure 1 is a schematic representation of an example of a crystal dosimeter;

[0032] [Fig. 2] Figure 2 is a schematic representation of a cross-section of an example of a crystalline dosimeter; and [Fig. 3] Figure 3 is a schematic representation of an example of a crystalline dosimeter mounted on protective glasses.

[0033] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] Referring to Figure 1, a crystalline dosimeter 1 comprises a head 3 configured to house an ionizing radiation detector.

[0035] A dosimeter is understood herein as a device configured to support the ionizing radiation detector, to place the detector and keep it close to the eye and lens of the operator.

[0036] A housing 5 is provided in the head 3 to accommodate a detector. The detector is for example inserted into a capsule 7 itself arranged in the housing and fixed to the head 3. The detector is an oriented sensor, that is to say that it measures the ionizing radiation which arrives at it in a certain direction. The capsule 7 has a projection oriented towards the outside of the head 3 which corresponds to the direction of entry of the ionizing radiation which the detector can measure. The capsule 7 is removably fixed to the head 3. In this way the detector can be easily removed for example to analyze the radiation received by the operator after a period of work. The head 3 may include a groove configured to accommodate a label. This makes it possible to indicate an identifier of the operator to properly associate the analysis carried out with the operator concerned. The groove can extend over a length of approximately 3 centimeters.

[0037] Head 3 can be made of ABS plastic, i.e. acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plastic. This is a thermoplastic polymer with good impact resistance, is relatively rigid, lightweight and can be molded. Head 3 can therefore be obtained by molding.

[0038] The head 3 has rounded shapes to avoid any unpleasant contact for the operator. The dosimeter 1 also comprises a rod 9. The rod 9 extends from the head 3 in a main direction of extension. The rod 9 extends in this direction over a length which is advantageously between 100 millimeters and 150 millimeters. Such a length allows for a more stable attachment of the dosimeter.

[0039] The rod 9 has, in a plane orthogonal to the direction of extension, a circular or approximately circular section. A diameter of the section may advantageously be chosen to be less than 3 millimeters to increase the comfort of the operator. For example, the diameter of the rod 9 may be between 2 millimeters and 3 millimeters, and more advantageously between 2.2 and 2.8 millimeters, for example equal to 2.5 millimeters.

[0040] The rod 9 comprises a metal wire. With reference to Figure 2, the metal wire 11 is located at the core of the rod, i.e. the metal wire extends along the entire length of the rod in the main direction of extension so that in a plane orthogonal to the direction of extension the metal wire 11 is located at the center of the circular section.

[0041] An operator can deform the rod. In particular, the operator can wrap the rod 9 several times around a hooking area of ​​a personal protective equipment. The dosimeter 1 is thus stably attached to the personal protective equipment.

[0042] When the personal protective equipment is a pair of glasses, the attachment area is a temple of the glasses.

[0043] When the personal protective equipment is a protective helmet or a protective visor, the attachment area is a support holding the protective glass included in the helmet or visor.

[0044] A pair of goggles includes a protective glass intended to be placed in front of the operator's eyes. The protective helmet or protective visor includes a transparent screen intended to be placed in front of the operator's eyes. To designate the glass or screen of protective equipment in the remainder of the description, the term 'transparent wall' is used.

[0045] More advantageously, the metal wire may have a diameter less than or equal to 1 millimeter and preferably less than or equal to 0.9 millimeter. Such a metal wire 11 is sufficiently thin to be ductile.

[0046] The wire may have a diameter greater than or equal to 0.6 millimeters. The wire 11 is wide enough not to break when used by the operator.

[0047] The diameter of the metal wire may thus be greater than or equal to 0.6 millimeters and less than or equal to 1.2 mm, and preferably less than or equal to 900 pm, and even more preferably less than or equal to

[0048] I ,0 mm.

[0049] Since the rod 9 is deformable, the main direction of extension of the rod 9 is not necessarily rectilinear. The main direction of extension is generally curved and varies according to the deformations of the rod 9.

[0050] Wire can be made of any of the following materials or a combination of them: steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum, and iron.

[0051] The rod 9 also includes a sheath 13 which surrounds the metal wire

[0052] II. The sheath 13 extends along the entire length of the rod in the main direction of extension and in a plane orthogonal to the direction of extension the metal wire 11 is surrounded by the sheath. This sheath prevents the metal wire from coming into contact with the operator. The sheath 13 may, for example, be made of elastomer thermoplastic.

[0053] The metal wire 11 is completely covered with insulating material so that the metal wire cannot carry current or an electrical signal. Optionally, the attachment of the head 3 to the rod can be achieved in the following manner: the metal wire 11 forms a loop located inside the head, the head being molded onto the loop. The metal wire 11 extends beyond the sheath in the main direction of extension and is bent back on itself. The loop thus formed is then taken into the material of the head 3 during molding of the head 3.

[0054] The loop and the end of the metal wire are completely embedded in the insulating material of the head 3. The metal wire 11 is not in contact with any conductive material in the head 3.

[0055] This helps to protect the end of the wire so that an operator does not risk being injured by this end of the wire.

[0056] On the other hand, this makes it possible to stiffen the connection between the rod 9 and the head 3. Thus, the head 3, once placed on the personal protective equipment, does not fall under the effect of gravity, deforming the rod 9 at the rod 9-head 3 junction.

[0057] It should also be noted that the end of the sheath 13 through which the part of the metal wire 11 which forms a loop inside the head emerges can also be located in the head 3. In other words, the loop of the metal wire 11 and the adjacent end of the sheath 13 are both taken in the material of the head 3 during the molding of the head 3. This makes it possible to further stiffen the connection between the rod 9 and the head 3 and also to not leave the metal wire exposed between the sheath 13 and the head 3.

[0058] Head 3 is long enough in the main direction of extension to accommodate the loop. The loop extends in this direction by approximately 1 centimeter.

[0059] The groove of the head 3 can extend over a length of approximately 3 centimeters parallel to the main direction of extension. The head 3 thus has its greatest length in this direction. This makes it possible in particular to avoid the head being too long in a direction orthogonal to the main direction of extension, which could hinder the visibility or comfort of the operator.

[0060] The dosimeter 1 may also comprise a tip 15, the rod 9 extending from the head 3 to the tip 15, the tip being made of ABS plastic. The rod 9 extends from a first end on the head 3 side to a second end on the tip 15 side.

[0061] Since the tip 15 is made of ABS plastic, it can therefore be obtained by molding.

[0062] The tip 15 has rounded shapes to avoid any unpleasant contact for the operator. A diameter of the tip in a plane orthogonal to the main direction of extension is between 5 and 9 millimeters, advantageously between 6 and 8 millimeters, for example equal to 7 millimeters.

[0063] The tip 15 then constitutes one end of the dosimeter and protects the operator from the second end of the metal wire.

[0064] Optionally, and in relation to Figure 2, the attachment of the end piece 15 to the rod can be carried out in the following manner: the metal wire 11 extends inside the end piece according to a contour 17 closed on itself, the end piece 15 being molded on the closed contour 17. The metal wire 11 extends beyond the sheath 13 in the main direction of extension and is curved on itself. The contour 17 thus formed is then taken in the material of the end piece 15 during the molding of the end piece 15. The end piece 15 makes it possible to improve the protection of the operator of the second end of the metal wire and the rod connection 9.

[0065] The contour 17 and the end of the metal wire are entirely embedded in the insulating material of the tip 15. The metal wire 11 is not in contact with conductive material in the tip 15. The tip 15 is sufficiently long in the main direction of extension to accommodate the contour 17. The tip 15 extends in this direction by approximately 1 centimeter.

[0066] It should also be noted that the end of the sheath 13 through which the part of the metal wire 11 which forms the closed contour 17 inside the end piece 15 emerges can also be located in the end piece 15. In other words, the closed contour 17 of the metal wire 11 and the adjacent end of the sheath 13 are both taken from the material of the end piece 15 during the molding of the end piece 15. This makes it possible to further stiffen the connection between the rod 9 and the end piece 15 and also to not leave the metal wire exposed between the sheath 13 and the end piece 15.

[0067] A dosimeter such as we have just presented can be used in the following way.

[0068] In a first step, a detector is placed in the head 3 of the dosimeter. The detector is for example inserted into a capsule 7 which is itself then placed in the housing 5 of the head 3 and fixed to the head 3.

[0069] In a second step, and in relation to Figure 3, the head 3 is positioned against a transparent wall 19 of a personal protective equipment 20, the head being placed on the face side of the transparent wall 19. In other words, once the operator puts on the personal protective equipment, the head 3 is located between the transparent wall 19 of the personal protective equipment and the operator's face. The detector is oriented to measure the ionizing radiation which passes through the transparent wall of the personal protective equipment in the direction of the operator. This corresponds to placing the projection of the capsule 7 against the transparent wall 19. If the capsule is colored, this involves placing the head 3 against the transparent wall so as to put the colored part of the dosimeter against the transparent wall. This visual cue makes it easier for the operator to use the dosimeter 1 correctly.

[0070] During a third step, the rod 9 is wound around a hooking zone 22 of a piece of personal protective equipment. Since the rod is deformable, the operator can easily deform the rod 9 and produce a winding 24 of the rod 9 around the hooking zone 22. The winding makes it possible to securely attach the dosimeter 1 to the personal protective equipment 20.

[0071] In a fourth step, the personal protective equipment 20 is placed on the operator's face. The diameter of the rod is sufficiently small (less than 3 millimeters) so that the discomfort to the operator is less than in the prior art.

[0072] When the dosimeter comprises a tip 15, the method can be completed with an additional step after winding the rod, this step consisting of placing the tip 15 so that the attachment zone of the personal protective equipment is located between the face and the tip. The tip is thus placed out of contact with the operator's face to reduce the operator's discomfort.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Crystalline dosimeter (1) comprising: - a head (3) configured to house an ionizing radiation detector, and - a rod (9) the rod (9) comprising: - a metal wire (11), and - a sheath (13) surrounding the metal wire (11), the dosimeter comprising a tip (15), the rod (9) extending from the head (3) to the tip (15), the tip (15) being made of ABS plastic, the metal wire (11) extending inside the tip (15) along a contour (17) closed on itself, the tip (15) being molded on the closed contour (17).

2. Dosimeter according to claim 1 in which the metal wire (11) has a diameter less than or equal to 1 millimeter and preferably less than or equal to 0.9 millimeter.

3. A dosimeter according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the metal wire (11) is made of one of the following materials or a combination thereof: steel, stainless steel, brass, copper, aluminum and iron.

4. Dosimeter according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the rod (9) has a diameter less than or equal to 3 millimeters.

5. Dosimeter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the rod (9) has a length greater than or equal to 100 millimeters and less than or equal to 150 millimeters.

6. Dosimeter according to any one of claims 1 to 5 in which the metal wire (11) forms a loop located inside the head (3), the head (3) being molded onto the loop.

7. Dosimeter according to any one of claims 1 to 6 in which the head (3) is made of ABS plastic.

8. Assembly comprising personal protective equipment (20), a detector and a crystalline dosimeter (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, the detector being housed in the dosimeter (1).

9. A method of using a dosimeter (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising the following steps: - housing a detector in the head (3), - positioning the head (3) against a transparent wall (19) of an operator's personal protective equipment (20), the head (3) being placed on the face side of the wall (19), - winding the rod (9) around a hooking zone (22) of the personal protective equipment (20), and - placing personal protective equipment (20) on the operator's face.

10. Method according to claim 9, the dosimeter (1) being in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, the method comprising, after winding the rod (9), a step of placing the tip (15) so that the attachment zone (22) of the personal protective equipment (20) is located between the face and the tip (15).

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