EP-4740865-A2 - RADIOABSORBENT ASSEMBLIES

EP4740865A2EP 4740865 A2EP4740865 A2EP 4740865A2EP-4740865-A2

Abstract

A system of shields designed to provide substantially greater protection, head to toe, against radiation exposure to health care workers in a hospital room during procedures which require real-time imaging. The shields are placed around the patient and the x-ray table and provide protection even when the x-ray tube is moved to various angles around the patient.

Inventors

WILSON, ROBERT F
VALETI, Uma S
GAINOR, John P

Assignees

Egg Medical, Inc.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260513
Application Date: 20161012

Claims (15)

A radiation shielding system, comprising: a first radiation shield configured to be positioned vertically along a side of a patient; and a second radiation shield configured to be positioned transversely over the patient; and, wherein the second radiation shield is adjustable between a plurality of positions with respect to the first radiation shield.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the second radiation shield is attached to a free standing device.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the second radiation shield comprises a flag shield having a lower functional unit, and wherein the lower functional unit conforms to the patient's body habitus.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the second radiation shield comprises a flag shield having a vertical support, and wherein the vertical support includes a hinge to allow the flag shield to bend in a vertical plane and conform to the first radiation shield to block radiation scatter.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein a portion of the second radiation shield is configured to bend in the vertical plane.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the second radiation shield comprises a flag shield having a lower unit, and wherein the lower unit includes bottom curves that contour to the patient's body habitus.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the first radiation shield includes a clear window.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, further comprising a radioabsorbent tray configured to extend horizontally across the patient.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the first radiation shield is height adjustable.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein, in a first position, the first radiation shield is perpendicular to the second radiation shield.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the second radiation shield is positioned above an upper surface of a mattress supporting the patient.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the second radiation shield is configured to be positioned at a variable height above a patient.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the first radiation shield is configured to be positioned parallel to a longitudinal axis of a patient platform supporting the patient.
The radiation shielding system of claim 13, wherein the second radiation shield is configured to be positioned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the patient platform.
The radiation shielding system of claim 1, wherein the first radiation shield is pivotable with respect to the x-ray system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/240,409 filed October 12, 2015 entitled Radioabsorbent Assemblies, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to various embodiments of radiation shields to protect physicians and other health care workers present during procedures requiring real-time X-ray imaging. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Radiation exposure during medical procedures requiring x-rays or other ionizing radiation is a major health concern for health care workers (HCW). Procedures requiring real-time imaging, such as percutaneous procedures, involve a patient on a table with an x-ray device mounted on a C-arm, known as an x-ray gantry. The radiation is emitted from a "tube" on the bottom of the C-arm and is directed upward through the bottom of the table and the patient. The physician and other attending HCWs are typically standing next to the table attending the patient and are subject to the radiation. Most of the radiation exposure to the HCWs emanate from x-ray photons that are reflected off of the patient's bones and other structures during the procedures. More specifically, the exposure to the HCWs from their waists down result from x-rays coming directly from the tube, as well as reflecting off of the table structure and the bones of the patient. Exposure to the HCWs from their waists up result from X-rays reflecting off of the bones of the patient and structures above the patient. Most are composed of an x-ray blocking material in the form of a hard, planar shield. These are attached to the ceiling or x-ray table. Some are flexible and some are clear. They are cumbersome, do not conform to the patient's anatomy (reducing effectiveness in blocking x-rays), do not facilitate surgical access to the body, and do not provide storage for tools or lighting. Additionally, these shields are heavy and often get in the way of adequate fluoroscopic visualization of the patient or key areas of the patient that require easy access or monitoring. The HCW has to move these heavy shields manually and also conform their bodies to visualize around the impediments caused by the existing devices. This is a major cause for musculoskeletal morbidity of the HCW resulting in chronic neck, back injuries. Consequently, it is common for the HCW to sacrifice radiation protection for better visualization as well as better ergonomics by moving the current shields out of the way or positioning them in a markedly sub-optimal protection position. Finally, it is not uncommon that the HCW forgets to move the shields for adequate protection. Other x-ray blocking shields have consisted of draping x-ray absorbing material (DXAM) over the patient during procedures. Because these draped materials lay on the patient, they need to be covered with sterile material or be disposed of after every use. This is cumbersome and, as a result, most of the draped material is made as a disposable item (disposable drape and x-ray barrier inside), increasing cost and toxic waste. Moreover, the draped polymer is heavy and uncomfortable for the patient because the patient supports the weight. Additionally, because the DXAM is positioned under the sterile drape that covers the patient, it is difficult to remove during the procedure should an emergency arise that requires more x-ray visualization. Another problem in protecting personnel from scatter x-ray exposure during medical procedures is that, when the x-ray source is below the patient, the x-ray is scattered off of the patient toward the floor. As a result, the legs and feet of personnel are heavily exposed to ionizing radiation. In addition, the x-ray tube housing can often leak substantial x-radiation, often of high energy. This also increases personnel exposure to high energy ionizing radiation. Current shielding for "below-the-table" radiation consists primarily of a radiation blocking barrier (called the table skirt) that hangs from the table. Since the table height is varied during the procedure, there is often a gap between the floor and the barrier. Additionally, these table skirts are usually hung on a lever arm from the foot end of the x-ray table. They do not cover the gap between the table and the floor from the mid abdomen to the head. As a result, personnel in the room stationed at the patient's head or side receive substantial radiation exposure. This is a particular risk for physicians performing procedures that require manipulation of catheters near the patient's head (such as subclavian or jugular vein access, subclavian artery access, or transesophageal ultrasound imaging). OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is thus a need for a shielding system that allows a HCW access to a patient while protecting the HCW from radiation. The invention described herein provides several embodiments directed toward providing protection both below and ab