A flexible shield to protect personnel during interventional procedures

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiology
• Occupational Safety

Background:

• X-ray scatter radiation poses a significant occupational hazard to healthcare professionals, particularly radiologists.
• Minimizing radiation exposure is crucial for long-term health and preventing radiation-induced injuries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a novel, flexible shielding device designed to mitigate x-ray scatter radiation exposure to the hands of radiologists.
• To assess the efficacy of this shield in reducing scatter radiation levels.

Main Methods:

• Development of a flexible shield utilizing readily available lead-vinyl materials.
• Fabrication of the shield within a standard radiology department setting.
• Quantitative assessment of scatter radiation reduction achieved by the shield.

Main Results:

• The flexible shield demonstrated a substantial reduction in x-ray scatter radiation, reaching up to 73%.
• The material (lead-vinyl) proved effective and suitable for constructing protective shielding.
• The shield's design allows for on-site fabrication, enhancing accessibility and cost-effectiveness.

Conclusions:

• A flexible, lead-vinyl shield offers a practical and effective solution for reducing radiologist hand exposure to x-ray scatter.
• On-site fabrication enhances the feasibility and adoption of this protective measure in clinical settings.
• This innovation contributes to improved occupational safety for radiology personnel.