Radiation field isolator apparatus

• US 6,325,538 B1
• Filed: 03/17/2000
• Issued: 12/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Christian M. Heesch
• Original Assignee: Christian M. Heesch
• Inventors: Heesch, Christian M.
• Primary Examiner(s): DUNN, DREW A
• Application Number:
  US09/528,039
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 378/203, 128/846, 128/849, 128/857, 128/853, 250/515--51, 250/517--51, 250/519.1
• US Class Current: 378/203
• 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 6/4452 the source unit and the detector unit being able to move relative to each other
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 6/4464 the source unit or the detector unit being mounted to ceiling
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 3/00 Shielding characterised by its physical form, e.g. granules, or shape of the material

Abstract

A shield apparatus is disclosed that encloses the human torso (or part of a human torso) during X-ray procedures. The shield protects medical personnel from scatter radiation, is adjustable to fit different size torsos, and will move with the X-ray equipment as the position of the equipment is adjusted to examine different areas of the body.

Claims

1. An isolation system to be used with radiation equipment for protecting operating personnel from stray radiation, said radiation equipment comprising:

a) a source of radiation;

b) a shield that comprises;

a middle shielding section having an interior for holding all or part of a patient'"'"'s body;

a second shielding section attached to said middle section and to the radiation source; and

c) wherein the shield forms an envelope about an area in between the radiation source and the patient.

2. The isolation system of claim 1 further comprising a camera and a third shielding section attached to the middle section and the camera.

3. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein the camera and radiation source are generally opposite each other on opposing sides of said middle section.

4. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein one of said second and third sections is tapered.

5. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein both of said second and third sections is tapered.

6. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein one of said second and third sections have a flexible wall.

7. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein both of said second and third sections has a flexible wall.

8. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein one of said second and third sections is in the form of a bellows like structure having folded wall portions.

9. The isolation system of claim 2 wherein both of said second and third sections are in the form of a bellows like structure having folded wall portions.

10. The isolation system as claimed in claim 5, wherein each of said tapered sections comprises four trapezoid side surfaces,

each trapezoid surface consisting of two overlapping sections,

each section consisting of a plurality of segments movably connected together,

said segments being connected together by flexible material,

said overlapping sections being slidably connected to each other.

11. The isolation system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said shield sections is supported by a plurality of stabilizing rods,

each of said stabilizing rods comprising a plurality of telescoping rod sections,

said stabilizing rods supporting said second shield section having means at one end for connecting said stabilizing rods to said radiation source, and means at another end for connecting said stabilizing rods to said middle section,

said stabilizing rods supporting said third shield section having connectors at one end for connecting said stabilizing rods to said camera, and connectors at another end for connecting said stabilizing rods to said middle shielding section.

12. The isolation system of claim 11 wherein the connectors include a plurality of connector rings.

13. The isolation system of claim 12 wherein each one of said connector rings has at least two loops, one of said at least two loops being connected to one of said stabilizing rods, and another of said at least two loops being connected to said shield sections.

14. The isolation system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said middle shielding section comprises two side sections,

each of said side sections comprising a middle piece and two end pieces,

each of said middle pieces comprising a rectangular plate, each having a rectangular opening and a lower and an upper end,

each of said lower and upper ends of said rectangular plates being connected to a horizontal bar,

each of said horizontal bars having two parallel slots extending there through.

15. The isolation system as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of the end pieces of said side sections comprise a vertical support having a fist corner piece connected to a second corner piece,

said first and second corner pieces being connected together at an angle,

a pair of horizontal bars extending from each of said corner pieces,

said pair of horizontal bars extending from said first corner piece engaging said slots in said horizontal bars on said middle piece,

said pair of horizontal bars extending from said second corner piece engaging a U-shaped bar,

said U-shaped bar having a vertical leg and two horizontal legs.

16. The isolation system as claimed in claim 15, wherein said pair of horizontal bars extending from said second corner piece are hollow, and have a spring positioned within said hollow space,

said horizontal legs on said U-shaped bar entering said hollow horizontal bars and engage said spring.

17. The isolation system as claimed in claim 6, wherein flexible walls have a central aperture therein are located between and attached to said vertical legs of said U-shaped bars,

said flexible walls extending across said table,

said central apertures of said flexible screens having a slot extending to a periphery of said flexible screens, and means for closing said slot.

18. The isolation system of claim 1 further comprising a table that supports said middle section.

19. The isolation system of claim 18 further comprising a camera and a third shielding section attached to the middle section and the camera.

20. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein the camera and radiation generator are generally opposite each other on opposing sides of said middle section.

21. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein one of said second and third sections is tapered.

22. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein both of said second and third sections is tapered.

23. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein one of said second and third sections has a flexible wall.

24. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein both of said second and third sections has a flexible wall.

25. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein one of said second and third sections is in the form of a bellows like structure having folded wall portions.

26. The isolation system of claim 18 wherein one of said second and third sections is in the form of a bellows like structure having folded wall portions.

27. An isolation system to be used with radiation equipment for protecting operating personnel from stray radiation, said radiation equipment comprising:

a) frame that includes a table for supporting a patient;

b) a source of radiation;

c) a camera positioned to receive radiation that has passed through the patient;

d) a shield that comprises;

i a middle shielding section having an interior for holding all or part of a patient'"'"'s body;

ii a second shield section attached to said middle section and the radiation generator;

iii a third shield section attached to said middle section and the camera;

e) wherein the shield forms an envelope about an area in between the radiation source and the camera.