Goggles for receiving at least one radiation protection material

Abstract

The present invention relates to goggles, in particular radiation protection goggles, for receiving at least one radiation protection material which protects the eyes of a patient from radiation being harmful to the eyes, in particular -radiation and/or x-ray radiation and/or gamma radiation. The goggles comprise: two goggle frames, each having a continuously circumferential side wall structure completely enclosing an area around the respective eye of the patient, a length-adjustable connection element between the two goggle frames in the area of the patient's nose in order to change the distance between the two goggle frames relative to one another, and at least one length-adjustable holding element for fixing the two goggle frames at the patient's head. The side wall structures are configured for receiving at least one radiation protection material substantially completely around its circumference.

Claims

1. Goggles for receiving at least one radiation protection material which protects the eyes of a patient from radiation being harmful to the eyes, wherein the goggles comprise: two goggle frames each comprising a continuously circumferential side wall structure completely enclosing an area around the respective eye of the patient, a length-adjustable connection element between the two goggle frames in the area of the nose of the patient for changing the distance between the two goggle frames relative to one another, and at least one length-adjustable holding element for fixing the two goggle frames to the head of the patient, wherein the side wall structures are configured for receiving at least one radiation protection material substantially completely around its circumference, wherein each side wall structure comprises an inner and an outer side wall which are connected by means of a base wall at an end of the side wall structure, wherein the inner and the outer side wall have a predetermined distance in the cross direction to the viewing direction of the patient in order to form a space, the space being configured for receiving the at least one radiation protection material.

2. The goggles according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation protection material is configured so as to fill the space completely in the longitudinal direction.

3. The goggles according to claim 2, comprising a light transmissive element which is preferably arranged in the area of the distal end of each goggle frame, wherein preferably the inner side wall has a smaller height in the distal direction than the outer side wall, wherein the transmissive element is substantially flush with the outer side wall and/or rests against the distal end of the inner side wall.

4. The goggles according to claim 3, wherein the light transmissive element comprises a radiation protection material.

5. The goggles according to claim 4, wherein said radiation protection material is a low-Z material.

6. The goggles according to claim 5, wherein said low-Z material is acrylic glass or plastic materials loaded with high-Z materials.

7. The goggles according to claim 6, wherein said high-Z materials are bismuth or lead acrylic.

8. The goggles according to claim 3, wherein the shape and size of the light transmissive element are substantially adapted to the shape and size of the inner circumference of the outer side wall.

9. The goggles according to claim 1, wherein the at least one radiation protection material comprises a first material layer formed of a material having a low atomic number Z, and/or a second material layer formed of a material having a high atomic number Z, wherein the first material layer and the second material layer are provided as a compound layer, as a thin film or as a powder dispersed in a matrix material or as a liquid for casting or injection molding.

10. The goggles according to claim 9, wherein the first material layer is arranged in the space neighboring the outer side wall and the second material layer is arranged in the space neighboring the inner side wall.

11. The goggles according to claim 9, wherein said first material layer is Aluminum and said second material layer is lead or lead replacement materials such as bismuth, tungsten, tantalum or compounds of these metals.

12. The goggles according to claim 1, further comprising a first eye provided at the part of the respective side wall structure of a goggle frame facing the nose for attaching the connection element and/or further comprising a second eye provided at the part of the respective side wall structure of a goggle frame opposite the part facing the nose for attaching the holding element.

13. The goggles according to claim 1, wherein the proximal end of the side wall structure, has a shape and/or size being ergonomically adapted to the shape of the patient's head in the area around the eyes.

14. The goggles according to claim 1, wherein said goggles protects the eyes of a patient from -radiation, x-ray radiation and/or gamma radiation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1a shows a perspective view according to an embodiment of a goggle frame for goggles according to the invention,

(2) FIG. 1b shows a rear view according to the embodiment of a goggle frame for goggles according to the invention,

(3) FIG. 1c shows a first side view according to the embodiment of a goggle frame for goggles according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 1d shows a second side view according to the embodiment of a goggle frame for goggles according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 1e shows a front view according to the embodiment of a goggle frame for goggles according to the invention, and

(6) FIG. 2 shows a schematic drawing according to an embodiment of goggles according to the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(7) With reference to FIGS. 1a to 1e, an exemplary embodiment of a goggle frame for radiation protection goggles will be described in the following.

(8) The goggle frame shown in FIGS. 1a to 1e corresponds to a goggle frame for the left eye of a patient. However, the description accordingly also applies to a goggle frame for the right eye, wherein in this case the elements are mirrored as compared to the presently shown goggle frame for the left eye, so that the connection elements of the goggle frames for the right and the left eye, which are described below, face each other for being connected with a connection element.

(9) FIG. 1a shows a perspective view of the goggle frame 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. The goggle frame 20 comprises a side wall structure 21 having an inner side wall 22 and an outer side wall 23.

(10) The side wall structure 21, i.e. the inner and the outer side wall 22, 23, has a substantially oval shape to cover an area around the eye of the patient at the side as completely as possible.

(11) The inner and the outer side wall form a space 25 having a distance d. The distance d of the space can lie, for example, in a range of 0.5 mm to 2 mm and preferably be 1 mm. The distance preferably varies across the circumference of the goggle frame 20. As described below on the basis of FIG. 1e, the distance at the side opposite the nose is preferably wider than the distance at the side facing the nose.

(12) The goggle frame 20 further comprises a base wall 24. The base wall has a shape that conforms to the shape of the area around the eye in order to rest against the face, i.e. the skin of the patient as tightly as possible.

(13) Moreover, the goggle frame 20 comprises a first eye 26 which is provided at the part of the side wall structure 21 of the goggle frame 20 facing the nose. The eye 26 serves for attaching a connection element 30 (see FIG. 2).

(14) The goggle frame additionally comprises a second eye 27 which is provided at the part of the side wall structure 21 of the goggle frame 20 opposite the part facing the nose. The eye 27 serves for attaching a holding element 40 (see FIG. 2).

(15) The side wall structure 21 defines a first opening 28 at the distal end of the goggle frame 20 through which the patient can look. The opening 28 can comprise a light transmissive element 50 (see FIG. 2).

(16) FIG. 1b shows a rear view of the goggle frame 20 according to FIG. 1a. In FIG. 1b the base wall 24 is particularly clearly visible. The base wall 24 is located at the rear of the goggle frame 20, i.e. the side resting against the face of the patient when he/she puts on the goggles.

(17) The base wall 24 connects the inner and the outer side wall 22, 23 at their proximal ends. The base wall 24 defines a second opening 29 at the proximal end of the goggle frame 20 through which the patient can look.

(18) The first opening 28 and the second opening 29 are aligned with each other in the direction extending from the distal end to the proximal end, so that the patient can look through both openings 28, 29.

(19) FIG. 1c shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a. FIG. 1c shows the side of the goggle frame 20 facing away from the nose of a patient.

(20) In particular, FIG. 1c shows the side wall structure 21, the base wall 24, the first and the second eye 26, 27.

(21) The first eye 26 extends beyond the front, i.e. at the distal end, of the side wall structure 21. This allows a particularly advantageous attachment of a connection element 30 (see FIG. 2) at a certain distance from the nose of the patient.

(22) Moreover, FIG. 1c shows the attachment of the second eye 27 to the side wall structure 21. The second eye 27 is preferably arranged in the proximal area of the side wall structure 21 to allow the goggle frames 20 to be fixed to the head of the patient in an advantageous manner.

(23) FIG. 1d shows a side view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a. FIG. 1d shows the side of the goggle frame 20 facing the nose of a patient.

(24) In particular, FIG. 1d shows the side wall structure 21, the base wall 24 and the first eye 26. As shown in FIG. 1d, the eye 26 is attached to the side wall structure 21 and, at the distal end of the side wall structure 21, projects beyond the side wall structure 21 to the front.

(25) FIG. 1e shows a front view of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1a. In particular, FIG. 1e shows the inner and the outer side wall 22, 23, the base wall 24, the space 25, and the first and the second eye 26, 27.

(26) In FIG. 1e the distance d of the space at the side of the goggle frame 20 facing away from the patient's nose is wider than the space at the side of the goggle frame 20 facing the patient's nose. The space widens gradually towards the side of the goggle frame 20 facing away from the patient's nose.

(27) FIG. 2 shows an exemplary embodiment of the goggles, i.e. the radiation protection goggles. In particular, FIG. 2 shows two goggle frames 20 which are configured as exemplarily described above. Therefore, reference is made to the description of FIGS. 1a to 1e.

(28) In addition to the goggle frames 20, the goggles 10 according to FIG. 2 show a connection element 30, a holding element 40 and a light transmissive element 50.

(29) Moreover, the arrows identify the radiation protection material, preferably comprising a low-Z material and a high-Z material, introduced into the space 25 described above (see FIGS. 1a to 1e).

(30) The connection element 30 and the holding element 40 are adjustable so that the goggles 10 can be used for different patients having different head sizes and head shapes, in particular different distances between the eyes.

(31) The light transmissive element 50 closes the opening 28 at the distal end of the side wall structure 21 and allows the patient to look through the light transmissive element while being treated.

(32) While the present invention has been described and shown with reference to its preferred embodiments, it is obvious to persons skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without leaving the scope of protection of the invention. It is thus intended that the present invention covers the modifications and changes of this invention provided that they are covered by the scope of protection of the enclosed claims and their equivalents. In particular, it is clear to the person skilled in the art that the features that have been described in connection with a specific preferred embodiment can also be combined with features of other embodiments.