Adjustable Radiation Shield Assembly for Patient Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation protection methods for medical staff during radiological procedures, such as lead vests and suspended suits, are cumbersome, limit mobility, and do not adequately protect against X-rays, while mobile cabins restrict movement and access to the patient.
Innovation Solution
A radiation shield assembly with vertically and horizontally positioned shielding structures supported by a mast or suspension arm, allowing rotation and translation to provide flexible protection and access, comprising radiopaque materials to block X-rays.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy shielding is placed around the patient to block radiation, then radiation protection for medical staff is improved, but access to the patient's body and emergency response capability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system is divided into multiple independent panels that can be individually positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows the shields to be configured to protect different areas around the patient without completely blocking access, enabling medical staff to approach from unshielded directions when emergency access is needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding panels are designed to be movable and adjustable rather than fixed. They can be dynamically repositioned during procedures to balance radiation protection with the need for patient access, and can be quickly moved aside in emergency situations to allow immediate intervention.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation armor is worn by medical staff to block radiation, then personal radiation protection is improved, but mobility and comfort deteriorate due to significant mass
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation protection function is extracted from the medical staff and transferred to a separate, stationary shielding system positioned around the patient. This eliminates the need for staff to wear heavy protective armor, as the shields remain in fixed positions to protect the staff while they work freely in unshielded areas.
Solution Approach 2:
A stationary shielding structure serves as an intermediary between the radiation source and the medical staff. Instead of protecting the staff directly through wearable equipment, the intermediate shields intercept and block radiation before it reaches the staff, allowing them to work without heavy protective gear.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If mobile cabin is used to shield medical staff, then radiation protection is improved, but range of movement and access to patient deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of a single enclosed mobile cabin, the shielding system is segmented into multiple independent panels that can be individually positioned around the patient. This allows medical staff to move freely in areas not covered by the panels while maintaining radiation protection where the panels are positioned.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding panels are designed to be dynamically adjustable and repositionable during procedures. They can be moved to different locations around the patient as needed, allowing staff to access different areas of the patient while maintaining protection in occupied zones.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The shield assembly effectively reduces radiation exposure to medical staff by interposing a barrier between the radiation source and personnel, enabling full mobility and rapid reconfiguration for various surgical positions.
Implementation Method 1
configured to block radiation emanating from a radiation source
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation shield assembly is described, configured to block radiation emanating from a radiation source from reaching a user. Two shields are supported by a support arm, and are configured to rotate and translate relative to one another about the support arm's longitudinal axis. This allows the shield to be easily configured and reconfigured as necessary to visualize various parts of a patient's body via radiography.