Segmented Lead Glass Shield for Interventional Radiology
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Solution Overview
Problem
Medical staff in interventional radiology are frequently exposed to scattered X-rays during X-ray imaging, leading to health risks due to the discomfort and inefficiency of existing radiation protection measures, such as lead-containing clothing and mobile shields.
Innovation Solution
A radiation protection apparatus integrated with a medical X-ray imaging system, comprising multiple lead glass elements that can be moved between a rest position and a shield position, forming a radiation shield between the examination region and the medical staff during X-ray imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiation protection clothing is worn, then radiation protection is provided, but freedom of movement and comfort are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation protection apparatus is divided into multiple individual lead glass elements that can be independently positioned and adjusted. Each element can be separately moved between rest and shield positions, allowing selective protection of different body parts while maintaining freedom of movement for unprotected areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The lead glass elements are designed to be movable rather than fixed, allowing dynamic adjustment between rest position and shield position. This enables the protection apparatus to adapt to different working conditions and staff positions, providing protection only when and where needed during the medical procedure.
2Reliability
If radiation protection clothing is worn, then radiation protection is provided, but time is lost for putting on and taking off
Solution Approach 1:
The radiation protection apparatus is pre-positioned in a ready state within the examination room, with lead glass elements already in place but in rest position. This eliminates the need for staff to don protective clothing before each procedure, as the protection is already prepared and can be activated immediately when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides automatic or semi-automatic positioning of lead glass elements, reducing the manual effort and time required to set up protection. The apparatus can be activated with minimal input from staff, who simply need to trigger the protection mechanism rather than manually assembling or positioning protective equipment.
3Reliability
If radiation protection apparatus is repositioned, then protection is optimized, but medical workflow is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The lead glass elements can be quickly repositioned between rest and shield positions during the procedure, allowing optimization of protection based on changing radiation conditions without requiring complex manual repositioning. This dynamic capability enables rapid adaptation to different procedural stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can detect radiation conditions and automatically or semi-automatically adjust the position of lead glass elements accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures protection is optimized based on actual radiation exposure conditions while minimizing manual intervention and workflow disruption.
4Reliability
If lead glass elements are moved between rest and shield positions, then radiation protection is provided, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The apparatus uses multiple simple, identical lead glass elements rather than one complex protective structure. Each element has a simple rest and shield position, and the individual elements can be independently controlled or moved as a group, simplifying the overall mechanism while providing comprehensive protection.
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 apparatus effectively reduces the exposure of medical staff to scattered X-rays, enhancing radiation protection while minimizing disruption to the medical workflow and reducing the physical burden on staff.
Implementation Method 1
The radiation protection apparatus comprises a plurality of lead glass elements... In the shield position, the lead glass elements form a radiation shield arranged between an examination region and for a region occupied by medical staff
Data Source
AI summary
A radiation protection apparatus of a medical X-ray imaging system for absorbing scattered X-rays emerging from an examination region, wherein the radiation protection apparatus comprises: a plurality of lead glass elements, wherein each of the plurality of lead glass elements is configured to move between a rest position and a shield position, and also relative to one another. In the shield position, the plurality of lead glass elements form a radiation shield arranged between the examination region and a region occupiable by medical staff.