Wearable Radiation-Protective Shield for Eye Protection and Clear Vision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Clinical staff are exposed to radiation during diagnostic and surgical procedures, risking eye injury while wearing radiation-protective garments that impair vision.
Innovation Solution
A wearable radiation-protective shield with a head part and neck part designed to attenuate radiation, featuring a curved shape that positions the outer edge at the chin or forward of the chin, minimizing radiation exposure to the eyes with minimal impairment of the user's field of vision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If radiation-protective garments are worn to reduce radiation exposure, then radiation protection is improved, but vision is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The shield applies different properties to different regions: the central viewing area is made transparent or translucent to maintain vision, while the peripheral regions are made radiation-attenuating to protect the eyes. This spatial differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between radiation protection and visual clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield divides the protective structure into distinct functional zones: a central transparent viewing zone and peripheral radiation-blocking zones. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the head part extends higher to improve eye protection, then radiation attenuation is improved, but comfort and wearability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The shield concentrates radiation attenuation properties where most needed (peripheral regions and areas covering the eyes) while keeping the central viewing area transparent and minimal in height. This localized application of protective material improves eye protection without adding unnecessary weight or bulk that would reduce comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
The shield provides sufficient radiation protection in the critical eye regions without extending excessively in height or coverage area. The design applies the principle of providing just enough protection where needed rather than uniform over-protection throughout, optimizing the balance between protection and comfort.
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 shield effectively reduces radiation exposure to the eyes with minimal impact on vision, providing comfortable and efficient protection during procedures like Interventional Radiology.
Implementation Method 1
a head part, or upper part, wherein the head part is a of sheet-like, pliable, and radiation attenuating first material
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 2c~2d
AI summary
1. A wearable radiation-protective shield (10) that has an intended position at the neck of a user is proposed. The radiation-protective shield (10) comprises: a head part (12), wherein the head part (12) is a of sheet-like, pliable, and radiation attenuating first material. The head part (12) has a forward end (18) in the intended position relative to the user, the head part (12) has an outer edge (20) and an inner edge (22), and the radiation-protective shield (10) is arranged to position the inner edge (22) at the neck of the user in the intended position. The head part (12) has a first central line (28) that extends normal to the inner edge (22) and through the corresponding forward end (18) in the planar shape of the head part (12). The head part (12) has a height (h) in a planar shape of the head part (12) between the inner edge (22) and the outer edge (20) and normal to inner edge (22). The head part (12) has a first maximum height (hmax) at a point between the first central line (28) and a first end (34) of the inner edge (22) that is greater than the height at the first central line (28). The head part (12) further has a second maximum height at a point between the first central line (28) and the second end (36) of the inner edge (22), and the second maximum height is greater than the height at the first central line (28).