Layered Radiation-Shielding Underwear for Scatter and Braking Rays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation therapy shields, such as those described in Korean Patent Registration No. 1967664, fail to effectively shield patients from both scattered rays and braking radiation generated during high-energy radiation therapy, particularly for sensitive areas like the breasts, and are not adaptable to maintain a secure fit during treatment.
Innovation Solution
The development of scattered ray-shielding underwear comprising outer and inner layers of different shielding materials, where the outer layer with higher atomic numbers shields scattered rays and the inner layer with lower atomic numbers shields braking radiation, coupled with adjustable Velcro strips for secure fit and flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer shielding material is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but it cannot effectively shield both scattered rays and braking radiation simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite shielding structure with an outer layer of high atomic number material (lead, tungsten, or bismuth) for scattered ray shielding and an inner layer of low atomic number material (plastic, rubber, or foam) for braking radiation shielding. This multi-material composition enables simultaneous protection against both radiation types while maintaining structural integrity and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding garment is divided into distinct functional layers: an outer shielding layer and an inner comfort layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific radiation protection function optimally - the outer layer blocks scattered rays while the inner layer absorbs braking radiation - while also improving manufacturability through modular construction.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shielding unit is deformed to fit protruding body parts, then it adapts to body curvature, but the elastic recovery causes detachment from the body
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding garment utilizes flexible elastic materials that can be deformed to conform to protruding body parts such as breasts while maintaining secure attachment. The material's elasticity allows it to stretch over contours and then recover without detaching, ensuring continuous protection during patient movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding structure incorporates dynamic elastic properties that allow it to adapt to body movements and positional changes. The material can be stretched during donning to fit body contours, then dynamically recovers to maintain constant contact and attachment stability throughout the radiation therapy procedure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If high atomic number materials are used for shielding, then scattered rays are effectively blocked, but braking radiation is generated and not shielded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines high atomic number materials (lead, tungsten, bismuth) in the outer layer with low atomic number materials (plastic, rubber, foam) in the inner layer. The high Z materials effectively attenuate scattered rays while the low Z materials absorb the braking radiation generated during the process, providing comprehensive protection against both types of radiation exposure.
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 underwear effectively prevents exposure to scattered rays and braking radiation, maintains a secure fit during therapy, and allows easy removal and replacement of damaged parts, ensuring comprehensive protection and comfort for patients.
Implementation Method 1
outer underwear formed of a first shielding material... the first shielding material has a higher atomic number than the second shielding material... the outer underwear may shield scattered rays generated due to high-energy radiation
Implementation Method 2
inner underwear formed of a second shielding material... the inner underwear may shield braking radiation... braking radiation is electromagnetic radiation produced by deceleration of charged particles
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is scattered ray-shielding underwear for radiation therapy. The scattered ray-shielding underwear for radiation therapy, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, comprises an outer underwear formed of a first shielding material and an inner underwear formed of a second shielding material, wherein the first shielding material has a greater atomic number than the second shielding material, and thus, during radiation therapy, the outer underwear can shield scattered rays generated by high-energy radiation, and the inner underwear can shield braking radiation, and exposure of a patient to scattered rays and braking radiation can be almost completely blocked.