Device And Method For Reducing Radiation Exposure From X-Ray Tubes

Abstract

A radiation-absorbent shield shaped to conform to and enshroud the x-ray tube housing of a C-arm in order to protect medical personnel from radiation leaking through the x-ray tube housing. The shield is attached to the x-ray tube housing such that it moves with the tube housing and provides protection no matter the orientation of the C-arm.

Claims

1. A shield for reducing radiation leakage through an x-ray tube comprising a plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers and at least one protective material layer, wherein the shield is shaped to enshroud an x-ray tube housing without obstructing an aperture thereof.

2. The shield of claim 1 wherein the shield is constructed to have varying x-ray absorption capabilities that vary in accordance with a varying photon emission rate of the x-ray tube housing.

3. The shield of claim 2 wherein the varying x-ray absorption capabilities result from varying thicknesses of the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers such that the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers is thicker in areas on the x-ray tube housing having higher photon emission.

4. The shield of claim 2 wherein the varying x-ray absorption capabilities result from varying concentrations of radiation-absorbent elements used in making the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers such that the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers is non-homogenous, having different elements that correspond to the varying photon emission rate of the x-ray tube housing.

5. The shield of claim 1 further comprising a fastener usable to attach said shield to an x-ray tube housing.

6. The shield of claim 1 wherein said shield further includes an adhesive for adhering the shield to an x-ray tube housing.

7. The shield of claim 1 wherein said shield comprises a flexible material adapted to be wrapped around an x-ray housing and fastened to itself via a fastener.

8. The shield of claim 7 wherein said fastener comprises a hook and loop fastener.

9. A method of reducing radiation exposure to health care workers present during an x-ray procedure comprising covering surfaces of an x-ray tube housing with a shield comprising a plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers and at least one protective material layer.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein covering surfaces of the x-ray tube housing with the shield comprises forming the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers and the at least one protective material layer into a shape that is configured to enshroud the x-ray tube housing while not obstructing an x-ray aperture thereof and fastening the shield to the x-ray tube housing.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein forming the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers and the at least one protective material layer into a shape that is configured to enshroud the x-ray tube housing while not obstructing an x-ray aperture thereof comprises heating the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers, applying the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers to a form having said shape and allowing polymer of the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers to fuse together.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein forming the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers and the at least one protective material layer into a Art Group Unit: Unassigned shape that is configured to enshroud the x-ray tube housing while not obstructing an x-ray aperture thereof comprises applying the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers to a form having said shape, heating the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers, thereby causing the polymer layers of the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers to fuse together in the desired shape.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein covering surfaces of the x-ray tube housing with the shield comprises wrapping a flexible sheet of the shield around the x-ray tube housing and fastening the shield in place.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein fastening the shield in place comprises fastening the shield to itself.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein fastening the shield in place comprises wrapping a belt around a surface of the tube housing opposite the aperture.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein fastening the shield in place comprises adhering the shield to the tube housing.

17. A device for protecting personnel in a vicinity of an operating x-ray machine having an x-ray tube housing comprising: a plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers configured to cover one or more surfaces of the x-ray tube housing, thereby preventing radiation leaking through the x-ray tube housing from reaching the personnel; and a fastener for attaching the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers to the surfaces such that the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers moves with the x-ray tube housing.

18. The device of claim 17 wherein the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers is constructed to have varying x-ray absorption capabilities that vary in accordance with a varying photon emission rate of the x-ray tube housing.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein the varying x-ray absorption capabilities result from varying thicknesses of the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers such that the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers is thicker in areas on the x-ray tube housing having higher photon emission.

20. The device of claim 18 wherein the varying x-ray absorption capabilities result from varying concentrations of radiation-absorbent elements used in making the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers such that the plurality of radiation-absorbent material layers is non-homogenous, having different elements that correspond to the varying photon emission rate of the x-ray tube housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] These and other aspects, features and advantages of which embodiments of the invention are capable of will be apparent and elucidated from the following description of embodiments of the present invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which

[0036] FIG. 1 is a prior art C-arm that exemplifies the devices to which the invention is directed;

[0037] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

[0038] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a material of the invention; and

[0039] FIG. 4 is a plan view of an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0040] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The terminology used in the detailed description of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements.

[0041] Referring to the Figures, and first to FIG. 1, there is shown an example of a C-arm provided for reference. The C-arm fluoroscope 10 generally includes a C-shaped arm 12 that has an x-ray tube 14 on one end and a flat panel detector 16 opposite the x-ray tube 14.

[0042] FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of the invention, which includes a specialized shield 20 made of a radiation-absorbent material that enshrouds the x-ray tube housing 14 and absorbs x-ray photons leaking from the housing and a shielding system around the patient. The amount and type of x-ray absorbing material may be designed to match the quantity and energy of the tube housing photon leak over the area around the patient and the surface of the housing. The tube housing shield 20 rides the tube housing 14 as it rotates about the patient and prevents x-ray photon leak in all directions.

[0043] FIG. 2 also demonstrates that the shield 20 is shaped to fit the x-ray tube housing 14 of a given particular C-arm model. For example, if an x-ray tube 14 is cylindrical, the shield 20 will be cylindrical. Also shown is a fastener 22 in the form of a strap. The strap wraps around the bottom of the tube 14 and includes a hook and loop fastener 26 that connects to a corresponding hook and look fastener portion 24 on the shield 20.

[0044] FIG. 3 shows a cross section of an embodiment of a laminar material structure 30 of the shield 20. In one embodiment, the shield is comprised of one or more layers, such as layers 32, 34 and 36 shown in FIG. 3, of a radio-opaque polymer adhered, bonded, welded or otherwise joined together and formed into a shape that fits over the x-ray tube housing. The polymer layers 32, 34 and 36 are adhered together and to an outer layer 38 and/or inner layer 40 of a flexible protective material such as vinyl. The amount of x-ray photon absorption (and shielding) may be varied based on the thickness of the material. For example, for cardiac x-ray cases, the shielding next to the patient's chest area approximates the absorption equivalence of 1 mm of lead. The shield is reduced to the equivalent of 0.75 mm of lead on the sides of the sled. This fused material may be adhered together into one sheet of material or more than one piece.

[0045] Shaping the material to conform to various x-ray tube designs can be accomplished, for example, by heating the polymer and vinyl together. Under heat, the polymer layers fuse together and to the protective layer(s) to provide a very durable material that is easy to cut and form. By staggering the polymer and vinyl cover edges, the material can be fastened into a 3-dimensional shape to enshroud the tube housing, without the need for additional adhesives or sewing. Sewing holes can lead to photon leakage. In one embodiment, a form is constructed having the desired size and dimensions of the x-ray tube housing. The material is heated and applied to the form, or applied to the form and then heated in the alternative, and allowed to cool. The layers of the material become fixed relative to each other and thus retain the desired shape.

[0046] The material described above is thus formed into a three-dimensional shape that fits over the x-ray tube housing, allowing an aperture for the x-ray photons to exit to the patient and detector but reducing photon emission from the tube housing.

[0047] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment 50 that may be used with x-ray tubes having a simpler shape, such as cylindrical or rectangular. The shield 50 is in the form of a flexible band that can be wrapped around the x-ray tube housing and fastened in a number of ways (such as hook and loop fasteners, buckles, zippers and adhesives). FIG. 4 shows components 54 and 56 of a typical hook and loop fastener.

[0048] If adhesives are used, it is envisioned that the shield material may be provided in a form that can be shaped and adhered directly to the x-ray tube on a temporary or permanent basis.

[0049] Since the level of x-ray photon emission from the tube housing varies by location on the housing, the x-ray absorption characteristics of the cover are adjusted to provide more absorption where there is more leak from the housing. This is accomplished by two principal mechanisms. The first is to create a thicker photon absorbing material at the sites of higher emission (either by using a thicker layer of radio-opaque polymer or by adhering multiple layers together). Thicker material absorbs more photons.

[0050] The second method is to use different concentrations of specific x-ray absorbing elements over distinct parts of the tube housing. The reason for this use of differential materials is that the energy of x-ray photons emitted from the tube housing can vary based on where on the tube housing the emission occurs. Higher energies typically occur near the x-ray aperture. The efficiency of photon absorption by x-ray absorbing elements varies with different photon energies. Matching the elemental composition of the x-ray absorbing material to the x-ray emission profile increases efficiency of absorption.

OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0051] X-ray absorption by large atoms is well described. A similar shield could be assembled from the elements alone, without the need for polymer binding. In another embodiment, the shield enshrouding the tube housing can be composed of lead, copper or other metals. The variability in absorption of photons about the housing can be accomplished by varying the thickness of the metal. Additional shielding for different energy level emissions can be accomplished by affixing other elements to the main body of the shield, or by adding polymer loaded with various elements.

Example 1

[0052] Data collected using a device of the embodiment 20 of FIG. 1 demonstrates the effectiveness of the invention at reducing radiation leaking through the x-ray tube 14. The data in Table 2 shows the radiation emitted from the tube housing when the specialized shield is mounted to the system.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Right Caudal Left Cranial Average A B C D A B C D E A B C D A B C D 1-4 1 78 67 78 58 67 68 46 55 43 47 54 44 67 42 49 62 58 2 68 39 86 71 87 70 70 61 69 63 59 63 70 73 68 3 55 96 97 91 55 47 49 68 71 29 70 92 33 38 49 63 4 56 69 94 67 71 60 50 46 66 41 42 78 32 48 41 57 Average 72 62 59 50 1-4

[0053] The data reveals that the shielding as designed dramatically reduces the radiation emitted from the tube housing. On average across the entire tube housing, this radiation protection system prevents 85% of the radiation leakage from reaching the patient and the laboratory staff. In the peak radiation leak locations on the tube housing, this radiation protection system reduces the radiation leakage by greater than 95%.

[0054] Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof.