Segmented Radiation Shield Flaps for Selective Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare professionals, such as lead aprons and gloves, fail to provide adequate shielding against ionizing radiation, especially in procedures where close proximity to the radiation source is necessary, and are cumbersome and uncomfortable due to their bulkiness and lack of ventilation.
Innovation Solution
A radiation shield device that covers patients while allowing selective access to target areas, featuring flaps that can be easily folded to expose specific regions, made from radiation-blocking materials like lead or lead-free composites, with pre-formed lines for easy manipulation and stability, and optionally includes antimicrobial layers and radiation detection capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional lead protective clothing is used, then radiation shielding is provided, but the equipment becomes bulky and heavy, hindering movement and causing orthopaedic problems
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is segmented into multiple flaps that can be independently positioned and folded. Each flap provides localized radiation protection while allowing selective access to different body areas, eliminating the need for a single bulky apron that covers the entire body.
Solution Approach 2:
The protective device transitions from a two-dimensional flat apron to a three-dimensional structure with flaps that can be folded and positioned in multiple configurations, allowing the patient's body to be covered while maintaining accessibility to target areas.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If conventional lead protective clothing is used, then radiation shielding is provided, but the equipment lacks ventilation and breathability, increasing discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device is divided into separate flaps that can be positioned only where radiation protection is needed, leaving other areas open for ventilation and comfort, rather than covering the entire body with a solid apron.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If blankets are used to limit radiation, then radiation exposure is reduced, but access to covered parts of the patient's body is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The protective device consists of multiple independent flaps that can be separately folded back or positioned to expose specific target areas while maintaining radiation protection over other body parts, allowing selective access during procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The flaps are designed to be dynamically repositionable during the procedure, allowing the operator to fold them back to access target areas and then return them to the shielding position when not in use, providing both protection and accessibility.
4Ease of operation
If conventional PPE does not cover the whole body surface, then mobility is improved, but health professionals remain exposed to direct and scattered radiation
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of protecting the health professional with a bulky apron, the protective device is placed on the patient's body, inverting the traditional approach by shielding the radiation source area rather than the operator, thereby protecting both while maintaining mobility.
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 device significantly reduces radiation exposure to healthcare professionals by 93% compared to no shield, offering improved comfort and mobility while maintaining effective protection against ionizing radiation, even in procedures requiring access to multiple target areas.
Implementation Method 1
wherein said sheet comprises a barrier to ionising radiation
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4C
AI summary
The present invention relates to a radiation shield device comprising a sheet of material comprising a plurality of flaps, wherein said sheet comprises a barrier to ionising radiation. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing said radiation shield device.