Movable Radiation Shield Assembly for Scatter Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current radiation shield assemblies fail to effectively reduce radiation exposure for both patients and practitioners during medical procedures, as they do not adequately protect areas of the patient's body not intended for examination from scatter radiation, leading to unnecessary exposure.

Innovation Solution

A radiation shield assembly with a movable shield positioned between the radiation table and source, which can be adjusted along a rail assembly to block or allow radiation, specifically targeting scatter radiation and minimizing exposure to non-examination areas.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a radiation shield is used to block scatter radiation, then radiation exposure to non-examination areas is reduced, but direct radiation access to examination areas may be blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescatter radiation exposureVSAvoiddirect radiation access

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shield is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned. Each segment can be adjusted to block scatter radiation from specific non-examination areas while leaving paths open for direct radiation to reach examination areas. This segmentation allows selective shielding without compromising the direct radiation beam access to the regions requiring imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield is designed with movable and adjustable components that allow dynamic reconfiguration during medical procedures. The shield segments can be moved to different positions and angles to adapt to varying procedural requirements, enabling optimal blockage of scatter radiation while maintaining unobstructed direct radiation paths to examination areas as needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a fixed radiation shield is used, then radiation protection is provided, but adaptability to different examination areas is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradiation protectionVSAvoidexamination area coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The radiation shield incorporates movable segments that can be dynamically repositioned along tracks or rails. This dynamic design allows the shield to adapt to different examination areas and procedural configurations, providing radiation protection for various non-examination regions while maintaining versatility for different imaging scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shield is segmented into multiple independently adjustable sections. Each segment can be positioned to protect specific non-examination areas while allowing direct radiation access to different examination regions. This segmentation provides both protection and adaptability, as the shield configuration can be customized for various procedural needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the shield is positioned to block scatter radiation from non-examination areas, then patient and practitioner exposure is reduced, but access to examination areas may be impeded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoverall radiation exposureVSAvoidexamination area accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The shield is divided into multiple segments that can be independently positioned and adjusted. This segmentation allows specific areas to be shielded while leaving examination areas accessible. Each segment can be moved to block scatter radiation from non-examination regions without obstructing the direct radiation paths or physical access to regions requiring imaging.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shield segments are designed to be movable and reconfigurable, allowing dynamic adjustment during procedures. This enables the shield to provide radiation protection for non-examination areas while maintaining ease of access to examination areas, as the segments can be repositioned to accommodate different procedural needs and practitioner movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution significantly reduces overall radiation exposure for both patients and practitioners by blocking scatter radiation, achieving a reduction of 55-99% in certain locations, while allowing direct radiation to reach examination areas, thus protecting areas not intended for imaging.

Implementation Method 1

a shield configured to block radiation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11627922B2Radiation shield assembly

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 NORAD DESIGNS LLC

AI summary

A radiation shield assembly includes a shield configured to block radiation and a rail assembly configured to position the shield in between the radiation table and a radiation source. The shield is movable between a retracted position and an extended position along a length of the rail assembly. In the extended position, the shield extends along a portion of a radiation table and blocks radiation from the radiation source to the portion of the radiation table. In the retracted position, the shield exposes at least some of the portion of the radiation table to the radiation.