Removable Eyewear Shielding Panel for Radiation Dose Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radiation safety eyewear designs are uncomfortable, heavy, prone to fogging, and limit the field of view, failing to effectively reduce ocular radiation exposure during fluoroscopically-guided interventions, which can lead to cataracts and other health issues for interventionalists.
Innovation Solution
A removable eyewear shielding device with a U-shaped shielding panel made of radioprotective material, such as leaded or lead-free metal, that conforms to the face, eliminating gaps between the device and the user's skin to reduce oblique radiation exposure without causing fogging or limiting the field of view, and can be custom-designed to fit individual facial structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If standard lead eyewear is used, then radiation protection is provided, but the eyewear is heavy and uncomfortable
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding is segmented into two parts: a lightweight frame structure and removable leaded lenses that can be attached only when radiation protection is needed. This allows the eyewear to be light during normal use and provide protection only when required, resolving the contradiction between weight and radiation protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The leaded lenses are nested within a lightweight frame structure, with the dense lead material contained within a larger, lighter housing. This nesting allows the heavy protective element to be integrated into a lightweight overall structure, reducing the perceived weight and improving comfort.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If thick leaded material is used for shielding, then radiation protection is improved, but the field of view is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding is applied locally only where radiation exposure is most critical (in front of the eyes), rather than covering the entire face or using thick material everywhere. The leaded lenses provide concentrated protection in the key area while maintaining a lightweight overall structure that does not obstruct the peripheral field of view.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If suction design is used to attach shielding, then radiation protection is provided, but lens fogging occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The suction mechanism and sealed enclosure that caused fogging are extracted from the design. Instead, the invention uses a simple frame structure with removable lenses that can be attached without suction, eliminating the source of the fogging problem while maintaining radiation protection capability.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If radioprotective material is placed on exterior side, then radiation protection is maximized, but field of view is further limited
Solution Approach 1:
The radioprotective material is positioned locally on the exterior side of the lenses where it provides maximum radiation protection, while the overall lens design and frame structure maintain adequate field of view. The shielding is concentrated in the critical path of radiation exposure rather than extending to the periphery.
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
Significantly reduces radiation exposure to the eye and ipsilateral brain, providing over 80% dose reduction in clinical settings and preventing long-term health complications for interventionalists by ensuring comfort and clear vision during procedures.
Implementation Method 1
The shielding panel can comprise a radio-protective material located on an interior side of the shielding panel, or inserted inside a pocket within the shielding panel. The radio-protective material can be a leaded material, or a lead-free metal material.
Implementation Method 2
Standard lead eyewear does not significantly reduce eye radiation dose, as the majority of scattered radiation penetrates the operator's eye obliquely.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a removable eyewear shielding device, an eyewear comprising a removable eyewear shielding device, and methods of uses thereof for reducing eye radiation exposure, reducing ipsilateral brain radiation exposure, reducing FGI-induced lens opacification, reducing cataract development, or protecting an eye or ipsilateral brain from radiation exposure.