Radiation Shielding System with Movable Components
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Healthcare workers in x-ray laboratories are exposed to scatter radiation during procedures, and existing shielding systems lack flexibility to accommodate the movement of equipment and patient positioning.
Innovation Solution
A radiation shielding system with features such as a drawer for lateral movement of side shields, a flexible curtain for adjusting shield positioning, rail extensions for mounting components, a telescoping hip shield, and a pivotable head protection system, allowing for flexible and temporary repositioning during procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional radiation shielding aprons are worn by healthcare workers, then radiation protection is provided, but the aprons are heavy and do not cover the entire body
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system is divided into multiple separate components including a ceiling-mounted shield, table-mounted shields, and portable shields that can be positioned independently around the procedure area, eliminating the need for a single heavy apron to provide complete coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding approach transitions from body-worn (2D surface coverage) to spatial/environmental shielding (3D volume coverage) by installing shields in the ceiling, on the procedure table, and positioning portable shields to create a multi-dimensional radiation barrier
2Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed shielding structures are used, then radiation protection is provided, but flexibility to reposition shields during procedures is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system incorporates movable and adjustable components including portable shields that can be repositioned, ceiling shields that can be adjusted, and table-mounted shields that provide flexible coverage, allowing the radiation protection configuration to adapt dynamically to changing procedural requirements
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding components are designed to serve multiple functions and be used in various configurations - ceiling shields can cover different areas, portable shields can be moved to different positions, and the system can be adjusted for different procedure types and patient positions
3Object-affected harmful factors
If additional shielding components are added to cover exposed body parts, then radiation protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding system uses multiple independent, modular shield components that can be selectively positioned and configured based on procedural needs, allowing comprehensive coverage without requiring a single complex integrated system
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces portable shields and adjustable positioning mechanisms as intermediary elements that simplify the overall configuration by providing flexible, easy-to-deploy radiation barriers without complex integration requirements
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 scatter radiation exposure for healthcare workers while enabling easy repositioning of shielding and equipment, enhancing safety and operational flexibility during x-ray imaging procedures.
Implementation Method 1
Shielding to absorb x-ray photons is used to protect workers from this scatter radiation
Data Source
AI summary
A shielding system for reducing scatter radiation during x-ray imaging procedures may include a drawer feature to temporarily move a shield portion laterally outward from a medical procedure table. A shielding system for reducing scatter radiation during x-ray imaging procedures may include a curtain feature to temporarily move a shield portion to enable a range of positioning of an x-ray source around a medical procedure table; in some embodiments, the shield portion may include wound wire stays to flexibly and/or temporarily conform to movement of equipment near the medical procedure table. A shielding system for reducing scatter radiation during x-ray imaging procedures may include a rail extension feature to enable mounting or flexible positioning of components near a medical procedure table; in some aspects, the rail extension may include an undercut region that facilitates placement of jam boards and the like under a patient during a procedure. A shielding system for reducing scatter radiation during x-ray imaging procedures may include a telescoping hip shield feature configured to releasably couple to a rail of a medical procedure table and to extend and retract longitudinally to vary the positioning of the telescoping shield. A shielding system for reducing scatter radiation during x-ray imaging procedures may include a head protection feature configured to pivot a shield portion about two or more axes relative to a medical procedure table.