A radiology garment storage and cleaning system, for storing and cleaning radiology garments, each garment including a radiology apron and a radiology collar. The radiology garment storage and cleaning system includes a storage apparatus, which is divided into a number of compartments for accepting a radiology garment, the compartments extending from the first side to the second side. Each compartment is equipped with a cleaning system, a door with a lock and at least one status light. The storage apparatus also includes an ID card and a monitoring system which is in electronic communication with the ID card reader, the lock of each compartment, each of the cleaning mechanisms, and the status light of each compartment. The monitoring system is configured to monitor when the radiology garment is placed in one of the compartments, automate the cleaning of the garment, and track the garment's usage.

Disclosed herein are protective garments and methods for using the same. In one aspect, the garment includes a garment body configured to be worn on a portion of a wearer's body, the garment body comprising at least one protective segment configured to block a predetermined level of radiation. Also disclosed herein are method of making the disclosed garments and methods for using the disclosed garments.

To provide patient shielding of non-treatment areas bordering a treatment zone of the patient during radiation therapy, a shield device may be located on the patient. The shield device has a plurality of interconnected and overlapping elements, e.g. in a scale maille arrangement, that forms a conformal sheet that can be laid over the shielded portion of the patient, e.g. over the contralateral breast during breast cancer treatment. The edge of the scale maille sheet is substantially configurable and can be made to conform to the field edge of the treatment zone on the patient.

It is a clothing or accessory for protection against ionizing radiation comprising a body of flexible material threadable by an operator and reinforcing protection means comprising of one or more layers or plates protecting against ionizing radiation integrated within said body. The garment comprises at least two parts, each provided with a magnetic element for setting, adjusting, arranging or closing the garment or accessory when one of the parts is activated by the operator to cooperate with the other part. Each magnetic element is composed of at least two groups each comprising at least one positive magnet and at least one negative magnet, the groups of the same magnetic element being set directly or indirectly on the same support and/or between them and being able to co-operate with the groups of opposing polarities of the other magnetic element.

It is a clothing or accessory for protection against ionizing radiation comprising a body of flexible material threadable by an operator and reinforcing protection means comprising of one or more layers or plates protecting against ionizing radiation integrated within said body. The garment comprises at least two parts, each provided with a magnetic element for setting, adjusting, arranging or closing the garment or accessory when one of the parts is activated by the operator to cooperate with the other part. Each magnetic element is composed of at least two groups each comprising at least one positive magnet and at least one negative magnet, the groups of the same magnetic element being set directly or indirectly on the same support and/or between them and being able to co-operate with the groups of opposing polarities of the other magnetic element.

To provide patient shielding of non-treatment areas bordering a treatment zone of the patient during radiation therapy, a shield device may be located on the patient. The shield device has a plurality of interconnected and overlapping elements, e.g. in a scale maille arrangement, that forms a conformal sheet that can be laid over the shielded portion of the patient, e.g. over the contralateral breast during breast cancer treatment. The edge of the scale maille sheet is substantially configurable and can be made to conform to the field edge of the treatment zone on the patient.

It is a clothing or accessory for protection against ionizing radiation comprising a body of flexible material threadable by an operator and reinforcing protection means comprising of one or more layers or plates protecting against ionizing radiation integrated within said body. The garment comprises at least two parts, each provided with a magnetic element for setting, adjusting, arranging or closing the garment or accessory when one of the parts is activated by the operator to cooperate with the other part. Each magnetic element is composed of at least two groups each comprising at least one positive magnet and at least one negative magnet, the groups of the same magnetic element being set directly or indirectly on the same support and/or between them and being able to co-operate with the groups of opposing polarities of the other magnetic element.

The invention relates to a radiation shielding element (101), which comprises at least one core (110) that shields from ionizing radiation and is surrounded by at least one protective layer (120), said protective layer (120) consisting of at least one outer layer (122) and at least one indicator layer (124). The invention also relates to an X-ray inspection unit (10) having a shielding device at the entrance (E) and/or exit (A) of radiation tunnel (12), said radiation shielding device consisting of a radiation shielding curtain which comprises a plurality of the claimed radiation shielding elements (101). The invention finally relates to methods (A; B; C) for assuring a minimum lead equivalence of a radiation shielding element (101), particularly for an X-ray inspection unit (10).

An apparatus suspends a personal radiation protection garment above a work surface. The suspension apparatus comprises a support member positioned above the work surface, a cable mechanically suspended from the support member, and means for counter-balancing the weight of the personal radiation protection garment attached to the cable. Means for attaching the counter-balancing means to the personal radiation protection garment suspend the personal radiation protection garment. The attaching means includes means for disconnecting the garment from the counter-balancing means, the disconnecting means manually operable by one hand of a user and disposed within reach of the user while wearing the personal radiation protection garment attached to the counter-balancing means. The personal radiation protection garment is supported in suspension and may be disconnected from the counter-balancing means by the one hand of the user for releasing the personal radiation protection garment from suspension while still being worn by the user.

An apparatus suspends a personal radiation protection garment above a work surface. The suspension apparatus comprises a support member positioned above the work surface, a cable mechanically suspended from the support member, and means for counter-balancing the weight of the personal radiation protection garment attached to the cable. Means for attaching the counter-balancing means to the personal radiation protection garment suspend the personal radiation protection garment. The attaching means includes means for disconnecting the garment from the counter-balancing means, the disconnecting means manually operable by one hand of a user and disposed within reach of the user while wearing the personal radiation protection garment attached to the counter-balancing means. The personal radiation protection garment is supported in suspension and may be disconnected from the counter-balancing means by the one hand of the user for releasing the personal radiation protection garment from suspension while still being worn by the user.