Repositionable Transparent Radiation Shield With Data Display
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing radiation shields in medical environments fail to provide effective protection for healthcare workers by not moving with the patient during procedures, obstructing the physician's view, and lacking integrated patient data display.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable, transparent radiation shield with integrated display that can overlay patient data and images, allowing hands-free control and movement with the patient, and includes features like lighting, imaging, and magnification to enhance visibility and safety.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional radiation shields are attached to fixed structures (ceiling, floor, or fixed table rails), then radiation protection is provided, but the shields cannot move with the patient during repositioning and obstruct the physician's view
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation shield is transformed from a static structure attached to fixed rails into a dynamic system that moves with the patient table. The shield is mounted on movable rails that travel along the table's length, allowing it to dynamically reposition as the table is adjusted during procedures, maintaining both protection and unobstructed view.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield system is divided into multiple independent components: the radiation blocking panel, the movable mounting mechanism, and the control system. This segmentation allows the shield to be independently positioned and adjusted to optimize both radiation protection and physician access to the operative field.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation shields are made from x-ray blocking material, then radiation protection is achieved, but the shields obstruct visible light transmission and block the physician's view
Solution Approach 1:
The shield incorporates regions with different optical properties: areas requiring radiation blocking use x-ray opaque materials, while areas requiring visualization use x-ray transparent materials. This local differentiation allows simultaneous achievement of radiation protection and visual access to the operative field.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield is constructed as a composite structure combining x-ray blocking materials (such as lead or lead-equivalent compounds) with x-ray transparent materials (such as certain plastics or ceramics). This composite construction enables the shield to block harmful radiation while allowing visible light to pass through, maintaining physician visibility.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If fixed radiation shields are used, then radiation protection is provided, but the shields require manual repositioning and do not move with the patient
Solution Approach 1:
The shield system incorporates sensors that detect the patient table's position and automatically adjust the shield's location accordingly. This feedback mechanism eliminates the need for manual repositioning, as the shield automatically tracks and maintains optimal positioning as the patient is moved during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The radiation shield is designed to automatically reposition itself in response to patient table movement without requiring manual intervention. The system uses the patient table's own movement as a trigger to initiate corresponding shield repositioning, making the shield self-adjusting and eliminating downtime associated with manual repositioning.
4Loss of information
If physicians must look away from the operating field to view patient data, then complete patient information is available, but the physician's focus is broken and procedure efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation shield integrates multiple functions into a single device: radiation protection, visual display of patient data, and imaging capabilities. By merging the display screen and imaging system directly into the shield structure, all patient information is presented within the physician's existing field of view, eliminating the need to shift attention and maintaining continuous procedural focus.
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
Enables continuous radiation protection and enhanced visualization of the operating field, facilitating safer medical procedures by maintaining a clear view and providing essential patient data without obstructing the physician's access or requiring manual repositioning.
Implementation Method 1
these shields are usually constructed from x-ray blocking material that transmits the visible light spectrum
Data Source
AI summary
A transparent radiation shield, attachable to a patient support platform, and movable to shield a physician from imaging radiation, includes a transparent computer display that is controllable to provide a data overlay on the shield pertaining to patient data and/or x-ray images.