Adjustable Radiation Shield for X-Ray Head Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Medical professionals and patients are exposed to harmful radiation during X-ray imaging procedures, leading to potential health consequences such as cancer due to long-term exposure.

Innovation Solution

A shield with a lead layer and adjustable flaps is designed to absorb radiation, allowing it to fit around the user's head and neck, providing protection during X-ray imaging procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed-size radiation shield is used, then it provides consistent protection, but it cannot adapt to different head sizes and shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different head sizesVSAvoidshield structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is divided into multiple independent flaps (front flap, rear flap, left side flap, right side flap) that can move and adjust independently. Each flap can be positioned to fit different contours of various head shapes and sizes, providing customization without requiring multiple complete shield designs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield transitions from a fixed rigid structure to a dynamic adjustable structure. The flaps are connected via hinges and fastening mechanisms, allowing them to move between different positions and angles to adapt to different head geometries while maintaining protective coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rigid shield structure is used, then it provides stable protection, but it cannot conform to the contours of different head shapes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to head contoursVSAvoidshield structural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rigid shield is segmented into multiple flaps connected by hinges, allowing each flap to independently conform to different head contours while maintaining overall structural integrity through the connection points and fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield incorporates flexible elements in the form of hinged flaps that can bend and adjust to match head contours, while the lead apron material itself provides flexible yet protective coverage that conforms to body shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield covers the entire head, then it provides maximum radiation protection, but it interferes with the user's vision and hearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protection coverageVSAvoiduser mobility and sensory access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield design extracts or removes the portion covering the facial area, leaving the flaps positioned to protect the sides and back of the head while maintaining clear vision and hearing. The front flap can be positioned to protect the temples and sides of the face without blocking forward vision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Radiation protection is applied locally to the specific areas of the head that require protection (sides, back, temples) rather than uniformly covering the entire head. This selective protection maintains sensory access while providing adequate radiation shielding where most needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of manufacture

If a one-size-fits-all shield is used, then it simplifies manufacturing and distribution, but it provides inadequate protection for individual head variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshield production simplicityVSAvoidprotection effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Manufacturing a single modular shield design with multiple adjustable flaps is simpler than producing multiple complete shields in different sizes. The segmented design allows one universal unit to be manufactured and then adjusted to fit various head sizes and shapes, maintaining both production efficiency and protection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces radiation exposure, protecting the user's head and neck from direct and scattered radiation, thereby minimizing health risks associated with X-ray imaging.

Implementation Method 1

a lead layer for absorbing the radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS10016251B2Shield for protecting a user from radiation emitted during X-ray imaging

Publication Date: 2018.07.10 RADTEC MEDICAL DEVICES

AI summary

A shield is disclosed for protecting a user from radiation emitted during X-ray imaging. The shield includes a lead layer for absorbing the radiation. The shield comprises first and second opposing flaps configured to position a first portion of the shield around an upper part of the user's head in a deployed configuration, whereby the portion, a component having first and second ends that are attached to the first and second opposing flaps, respectively, wherein the component is adapted to expand to enable the first portion of the shield to adjust to fit around the upper part of the user's head, and third and fourth opposing flaps configured to position a second portion of the shield around a lower part of the user's head.