X-ray shielding apparatus

• US 5,185,778 A
• Filed: 08/13/1991
• Issued: 02/09/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Martin Y. Magram
• Original Assignee: Martin Y. Magram
• Inventors: Magram, Martin Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Church, Craig E.
• Application Number:
  US07/744,169
• Time in Patent Office: 546 Days
• Field of Search: 378/195, 378/196, 378/209
• US Class Current: 378/196
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/107 Protection against radiation, e.g. shielding
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4423 related to hygiene or sterilisation
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4482 involving power assist circuits

Abstract

A bar mounted on an operating table on a platform fixedly mounted on a floor carries a switch adapted to be grasped by the hand of a surgeon operating on a patient on the table while x-rays are back-scattered from the table or patient. When the switch is activated to a first state the table is braked. When the switch is activated to a second state, forces manually imparted to an end of the bar by the surgeon are imparted to the table to move the table relative to the platform with the aid of a motor and linkage arrangement. An x-ray shield is interposed between the end of the bar and the table so the body of the operator, including the hand and arm, can be shielded from x-rays back-scattered from the table and/or patient while the hand is grasping the end of the bar and/or the switch. The shield and bar are arranged and dimensioned so that: (1) the operator can stand behind the bar when high intensity cine x-ray radiation is irradiating the patient and (2) the surgeon can stand between the shield and the end of the bar and manipulate an instrument, such as a heart catheterization tool, in proximity to the patient while low intensity fluoroscopy x-ray radiation is irradiating the patient.

Claims

1. In combination, an operating table mounted on a platform fixedly mounted on a floor, an x-ray source positioned to irradiate a patient on the table, x-rays from the source when incident on the table or a patient on the table being back-scattered away from the table, motor and brake means for selectively moving the table and holding the table in situ relative to the platform, a manually controlled switch electrically connected to the motor and brake means for selectively controlling movement and locking of the table relative to the platform, an x-ray shield positioned on a side of the table, a bar mounted on the table and extending in a direction away from the side of the table, the bar having an end remote from the table side for carrying the switch and adapted to be grasped by the hand of an operator, the bar being arranged so forces manually imparted to said end by the hand of the operator are imparted to the table to move the table relative to the platform, the x-ray shield being interposed between said end of the bar and sites of the back-scattered x-rays so exposure of the operator to the back-scattered x-rays while the hand is grasping said end is substantially reduced relative to the exposure of an operator located next to the table without the x-ray shield being interposed.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said shield and a portion of said bar including said end of the bar extend generally parallel to said side of the table and the bar is arranged and dimensioned so that the operator can stand behind said portion of the bar relative to said side of the table or between said portion of the bar and said shield.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein the x-ray shield is mounted for movement relative to the table and carries a foot pedal switch means for controlling the intensity of x-rays emitted by the source.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein the x-ray shield includes casters.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein the bar, shield and manually activated switch means are enclosed in an optically transparent, sterile wrap means.

6. The combination of claim 3 wherein the foot pedal switch is located behind a fluid impervious shield so dripping patient body fluids are not incident on contacts of the foot pedal switch.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein the bar, shield and manually activated switch means are enclosed in an optically transparent, sterile wrap means.

8. Apparatus for reducing back-scattered x-rays incident on a hand and arm of an operator working with a patient on an operating table, the patient being exposed to x-rays while on the table, the table being mounted on a platform fixedly mounted on a floor, the table being selectively moved relative to the floor by motor and brake means, the apparatus comprising a switch for controlling the motor and brake means so that in response to the switch being activated to a first state the table is held in situ and in response to the switch being activated to a second state the table can be moved in response to forces manually imparted to the table, a bar mounted on the table and extending in a direction away from a side of the table, the bar having an end remote from said side for carrying the switch and adapted to be grasped by the hand of an operator, the bar being dimensioned and arranged so (a) forces manually imparted to said end by the hand of the operator are imparted to the table to move the table relative to the platform while the switch is in the second state, and (b) an x-ray shield can be interposed between said end of the bar and sites of the back-scattered x-rays so exposure of the operator to the back-scattered x-rays while the operator is grasping said one end is substantially reduced relative to the exposure of an operator located next to the table without the x-ray shield being interposed.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said shield and a portion of said bar including said end of the bar extend generally parallel to said side of the table and the bar is arranged and dimensioned so that the operator can stand behind said portion of the bar relative to said side of the table or between said portion of the bar and said shield when the shield extends generally parallel to said side of the table.

10. A method of performing a surgical procedure on a patient lying on an operating table mounted on a platform fixedly attached to a floor, motor and brake means for enabling the table to be moved relative to the platform in response to manually imparted forces while a switch is activated to a second state and for preventing movement of the table while the switch is activated to a first state, the switch being on an end of a bar fixedly attached to a side of the table, said end of the bar being on a portion of the bar generally extending parallel to said side, an x-ray shield extending generally parallel to said side being interposed between said side of the table and said portion of the bar, the method comprising:

activating an x-ray source irradiating the patient to a fluoroscopy mode while an operator is standing between the shield and the bar portion and is performing the procedure on the patient with his hand extending beyond the shield in proximity to the patient and the switch is activated to the first state, and activating the x-ray source irradiating the patient to a cine mode while the operator is standing behind the bar portion and shield with his hand and arm behind the shield, the operator activating the switch to the second state and imparting manual forces to the bar to move the table while he stands behind the bar with his hand and arm behind the shield.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the x-ray source is activated to the cine mode while the operator is activating the switch to the second state and imparting manual forces to the bar to move the table.

12. In combination, an operating table mounted on a platform fixedly mounted on a floor, an x-ray source positioned to irradiate a patient on the table, x-rays from the source when incident on the table or a patient on the table being back-scattered away from the table, motor and brake means for selectively moving the table and holding the table in situ relative to the platform, a switch manually controlled by an operator, said switch being electrically connected to the motor and brake means for selectively controlling movement and locking of the table relative to the platform while the switch is respectively in first and second states, an x-ray shield positioned on a side of the table, means responsive to operations by the operator for controlling movement of the table relative to the platform while the switch is in the first state, said last named means having an operator control site, the x-ray shield being interposed between the manually controlled switch and the operator control site and sites of the back-scattered x-rays so exposure of the operator to the back-scattered x-rays while the operator is operating said manually controlled switch and is at the operator control site is substantially reduced relative to the exposure of an operator located next to the table without the x-ray shield being interposed.

13. The combination of claim 12 wherein the x-ray shield is mounted for movement relative to the table and carries a foot pedal switch means for controlling the intensity of x-rays emitted by the source.

14. The combination of claim 13 wherein the x-ray shield includes casters.

15. The combination of claim 13 wherein the foot pedal switch is located behind a fluid impervious shield so dripping patient body fluids are not incident on contacts of the foot pedal switch.

16. A method of performing a surgical procedure by an operator on a patient lying on an operating table mounted on a platform fixedly attached to a floor, motor and brake means for enabling the table to be moved relative to the platform in response to imparted forces while a switch is activated by the operator to a second state and for preventing movement of the table while the switch is activated by the operator to a first state, an actuator responsive to the operator for controlling movement of the table, an x-ray shield extending generally parallel to said side being interposed between said side of the table and a site for said actuator, the method comprising:

activating an x-ray source irradiating the patient to a fluoroscopy mode while the operator is standing behind the shield and is performing the procedure on the patient with his hand extending beyond the shield in proximity to the patient and the operator is activating the switch to the first state, and activating the x-ray source irradiating the patient to a cine mode while the operator is standing behind the shield with his hand and arm behind the shield, the operator activating the switch to the second state and activating the actuator to move the table while he stands behind the bar with his hand and arm behind the shield.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the x-ray source is activated to the cine mode while the operator is activating the switch to the second state and activating the actuator to move the table.