Non-lead flexible composite shields efficiency in decreasing dose in chest CT scan imaging

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Medical Physics
• Radiological Imaging

Background:

• Traditional lead-based radiation shielding faces challenges including toxicity, weight, and limited applicability.
• Nanomaterials and lightweight polymer composites are emerging as promising alternatives to lead shielding.
• Flexible composite shields are needed for advanced imaging applications like CT scans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate flexible composite shields for CT scan imaging.
• To assess the effectiveness of these shields in reducing radiation exposure.
• To determine the impact of the shields on image quality.

Main Methods:

• Fabrication of 1 mm thick composite shields using silicone with varying percentages of bismuth oxide and tungsten.
• Evaluation of morphological properties, tensile strength, and radiation attenuation efficiency.
• Assessment of image quality through noise level analysis.

Main Results:

• The radiation transmission coefficients for 10% bismuth, 10% tungsten, and 5% bismuth-5% tungsten shields were 0.86, 0.80, and 0.83, respectively.
• Noise increase percentages were 6%, 4%, and 6% for the respective shields compared to no shield.
• The 10% tungsten-90% silicone shield exhibited the highest effectiveness in radiation reduction.

Conclusions:

• The 10% tungsten-90% silicone composite shield is the most effective non-lead radiation shielding option for CT scans.
• These flexible composite shields significantly reduce radiation exposure.
• The developed shields do not substantially degrade image quality, making them suitable for clinical use.