Ceiling-Mounted Radiation Shield with Flexible Drape Panels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical personnel performing radiographic procedures face radiation exposure from multiple sources, including secondary radiation transmitted through patients, despite the use of traditional radiation shields, leading to cumulative long-term health issues and discomfort from wearing heavy protective clothing.
Innovation Solution
A radiation protection system comprising a shield with an inner and outer frame, flexible lead panels, and telescoping rods, suspended above a patient table, providing a comprehensive radiation barrier that blocks over 99% of radiation, eliminating the need for heavy protective clothing by positioning a lead skirt and flexible panels to cover the patient and reduce radiation transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional radiation shields and protective clothing are used, then radiation exposure is reduced, but medical personnel still face cumulative long-term exposure and suffer from heavy protective clothing
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation protection system is divided into multiple segments including a ceiling-mounted shield structure, movable drape panels, and table-mounted barriers. Each segment independently blocks radiation from different directions (primary beam, scatter, and transmitted radiation), collectively providing comprehensive protection without requiring personnel to wear heavy protective clothing throughout the procedure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces radiopaque drape panels as intermediary barriers between the radiation sources (x-ray tube and patient) and the medical personnel. These drapes can be positioned and adjusted to block transmitted radiation through the patient, eliminating the need for personnel to wear protective clothing while maintaining protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If heavy lead protective clothing is worn, then radiation exposure is reduced, but spinal disorders and long-term adverse effects occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the radiation protection function from the personnel and relocates it to the environment. By installing fixed and movable shields in the room, the protection burden is removed from the personnel, eliminating the need for them to wear heavy protective clothing that causes spinal disorders
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation protection system serves itself by using fixed ceiling-mounted shields and movable drape panels that automatically provide protection without requiring personnel to don protective clothing. The system protects the personnel through environmental barriers rather than personal protective equipment
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed radiation shields are used, then radiation exposure is reduced, but flexibility and adaptability during procedures are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines fixed ceiling-mounted shields with movable drape panels that can be dynamically positioned and adjusted during procedures. The drape panels can be moved to block radiation from different angles and positions, providing both the protection of fixed shields and the adaptability of movable barriers
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation protection system serves multiple functions: fixed shields block primary and scatter radiation, while movable drape panels block transmitted radiation through the patient. This multi-functional approach provides comprehensive protection across different radiation sources and procedural configurations
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 system effectively reduces radiation exposure to medical personnel by blocking primary and secondary radiation sources, minimizing the need for heavy protective clothing and associated long-term health risks, while allowing flexibility and ease of use during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
a radiopaque flexible panel attached to said rods
Implementation Method 2
radiation transmitted through the patient to the medical personnel
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation protection system for protecting medical personnel from radiation being applied from a radiation source to a patient positioned on a table. The system includes a shield for positioning above the table having an inner frame sized and shaped for receiving the patient when the patient is positioned on the table, and a plurality of rods extending outward from the inner frame. The shield also has an outer frame surrounding the inner frame and connected to the plurality of rods, and a radiopaque flexible panel attached to the rods.