Shielding device and method

Some embodiments of a shielding device can include a base and a shield coupled to the base. The shielding device can be used to provide protection for a healthcare worker (e.g., physician, nurse, technician) during a medical procedure.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document relates to shielding devices, such as portable radiation shielding devices for use in a medical environment.

BACKGROUND

In many situations, an interventional radiologist or other healthcare worker (e.g., a physician, nurse, technician) may work under a radiation field (e.g., from a fluoroscope, X-rays, other imaging system, or the like) when treating a patient. Although significant measures are often taken to minimize a patient's exposure to radiation during medical procedures, the healthcare worker implementing the procedure is often left exposed to the radiation—at least to some degree—and such exposure is often repeated for each new patient. For example, a healthcare worker's hands can be exposed to radiation from radiation imaging machines while inserting a central line in a patient (e.g., during a fluoroscopic procedure). Physical barriers can be used to shield the healthcare worker from radiation exposure, but often they are bulky and disruptive to the healthcare worker during the procedure.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of a shielding device can be used to provide protection for a healthcare worker (e.g., physician, nurse, technician) during a medical procedure. In such circumstances, a shield of the shielding device can be manipulated to a user-selected orientation relative to a base, and optionally, the shield may then locked in the selected position so as to provide a radiation block for the healthcare worker's hands that would otherwise be within the radiation field from the real-time X-Ray imaging apparatus. In addition to the shielding device protecting the healthcare worker's hands from X-Ray radiation, the shield can further provide physical protection for the healthcare worker from spatter of blood or other bodily fluids that may occur during the procedure—all while allowing the healthcare worker to position his or her hands in a non-disruptive and ergonomically effective manner.

In some embodiments, a radiation shielding device may include a radiation shield and a base. The base may include a substructure attachable to an object, and a retainer structure attachable to the radiation shield. Optionally, the base can include a lock device that is actuatable to lock the shield in a selected angular position after adjusting the shield device relative to the base.

Particular embodiments described herein include a method of shielding radiation during a medical procedure. The method may include coupling a base of a radiation shielding device to an object proximate a radiation source. The method may also include coupling a shield of the radiation shielding device to the base. Optionally, the angle of the shield relative to the base of the shielding device and the object can be adjusted to a user-selected orientation and then the shield can be locked in place at the selected angular position. The method may further include shielding radiation from the radiation source as the medical procedure is conducted.

In some embodiments, a radiation shielding device includes a radiation shield and a base, and the base may include a substructure attachable to an object, and a retainer structure attachable to the radiation shield. Optionally, the retainer structure may include an adjustable coupling comprising first and second semi-spherical yokes oriented perpendicular to one another in an overlapping manner. Additionally or alternatively, the retainer structure may optionally include an adjustable coupling operable between an unlocked condition in which an angular position of the shield is adjustable to a user-selected position, and a locked condition in which the angular position of the shield is substantially fixed. Additionally or alternatively, the radiation shield may optionally have a contoured shape providing a skewed reverse curve profile along its height. Additionally or alternatively, the radiation shield may optionally comprise a material having radiation shielding properties (such as barium sulfate), and the radiation shield may have a density of about 1.5 g/cm3to about 2.5 g/cm3.

In some embodiments, a radiation shielding device may include a radiation shield having a height of about 5 cm to about 25 cm and a maximum thickness of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. Also, the radiation shield can comprise a material having radiation shielding properties. The device may also include a base that includes a substructure attachable to an object, and a retainer structure attachable to the radiation shield.

The details of several embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1A-C, some embodiments of a shielding device100can include a base102and a shield104coupled to the base102. The shielding device100can be used to provide protection for a healthcare worker (e.g., physician, nurse, technician) during a medical procedure. As one example, the base102of the shielding device100can be adhered to a patient's skin positioned near the patient's liver when inserting a bile drain using real-time X-Ray imaging. In such circumstances, the shield104can be manipulated to a user-selected orientation relative to the base102and then locked in the selected position so as to provide a radiation block for the healthcare worker's hands that would otherwise be within the radiation field from the real-time X-Ray imaging apparatus. In addition to the shielding device100protecting the healthcare worker's hands from X-Ray radiation, the shield104can further provide physical protection for the healthcare worker from spatter of blood or other bodily fluids that may occur during the procedure—all while allowing the healthcare worker to position his or her hands in a non-disruptive and ergonomically effective manner.

In some applications, protecting portions of the healthcare worker's body nearest to the source of radiation, such as the worker hands, can be beneficial because radiation exposure decreases based on the distance from the source. Thus, a healthcare worker's hands, if not protected, may be exposed to nine times the radiation to which his/her torso is exposed during an X-Ray imaging procedure. In some applications, the shielding device100is provided as a portable structure that can be transported to the site of a medical procedure (e.g., an exam room or an operating room) by the healthcare worker and disposed of at the conclusion of the procedure to prevent the transmission of pathogens between patients and/or healthcare workers.

As shown, the base102of the shielding device100includes a substructure106and a retainer structure108. During use of the shielding device100, the substructure106supports the base102on the surface of an object (not shown) and the retainer structure108couples the base102to the shield104. In various applications of the shielding device100, the supporting object may include a portion of the patient's skin along an exposed body part of the patient (e.g., a limb or a torso) or any other object that is capable of firmly carrying the base102and the attached shield104(e.g., a table, a bed rail, or the like). In some applications, the supporting object may include a portion of the healthcare worker's body, e.g., a hand or an arm.

The construction of the substructure106provides sufficient mechanical strength and stiffness for supporting the base102on the surface of the object in a substantially fixed position during use (e.g., as the shield104is being coupled to the base102or otherwise manipulated by a healthcare worker). In this embodiment, the substructure106includes a butterfly-shaped, generally flat member having a circular central body110extended by opposing oval-shaped wings112. The central body110of the substructure106is attached to the retainer structure108(and, optionally, can be continuous such that it extends under the entirety of the retainer structure108(refer toFIG. 2)). The wings112provide additional surface area for contacting the supporting object (e.g., so as to more firmly adhere or otherwise attached with the patient's skin or other supporting object). In some embodiments, the substructure106can include a compliant member capable of conforming to various contours and corners of the supporting object. For example, in this embodiment, the wings112can be bent out of plane to follow the shape of the object. In some embodiments, the substructure106can include a malleable wire frame to reinforce the compliant member.

In some embodiments, the substructure106is fabricated from one or more plastic materials capable of accepting an infusion of radiation shielding material (e.g., material including barium, lead, tungsten, tin, aluminum and/or any attenuating metal). In some embodiments, the substructure106can include a laminated multi-layer construction. For example, the substructure106can include a skin-friendly underlayer (e.g., a foam layer) bonded to a reinforcing overlayer (e.g., a flexible metal or plastic layer). In some embodiments, the substructure106is fabricated from one or more materials that are suitable for medical applications (e.g., biocompatible metallic and/or polymeric materials). For example, the substructure106can be fabricated from a medical grade dense foam sheet material having a thickness of about 1 millimeter to 2.5 centimeters. In some embodiments, a bottom surface114of the substructure106can include an adhesive material suitable for temporarily adhering the base102to the supporting object. The adhesive can be a medical grade adhesive that is resistant to water, blood, and other bodily fluids, and that is suitable for adhering to the exterior of a targeted skin surface. In some embodiments, the adhesive on the bottom surface114may initially be covered by a removable sheet to expose the adhesive for use. Various types of suitable attachment mechanisms can be used to couple the substructure106to the supporting object. For example, in some embodiments, the substructure can include a suction device or an adjustable strap system to attach the substructure to the object. In some embodiments, the substructure can be provided in the form of a glove or a strap system wearable by the healthcare worker while performing a medical procedure (e.g., a fluoroscopic diagnostic procedure to evaluate for aspiration).

As noted above, the retainer structure108couples the base102to the shield104during use. In some embodiments, the retainer structure108provides an adjustable coupling that permits movement of the shield104with at least two degrees of freedom (and, in some embodiments, three degrees of freedom). As such, the shield can be positioned at numerous angles relative to the substructure106of the base102(and therefore the supporting object). In some embodiments, the coupling of the retainer structure108can be operated between an unlocked condition, where the angular position of the shield104is adjustable to a user-selected position, and a locked condition, where the angular position of the shield104is fixed.

Referring toFIGS. 2, 3A and 3B, the retainer structure108includes a platform116, a first yoke118a, a second yoke118b, a pilot member120, a clamp member122, and a lock knob124. The platform116is a circular frame fixedly attached to the central body110of the substructure106. As shown, each of the first and second yokes118a,118bis a semi-spherical segment having an elongated slot126a,126bextending along the length of the segment. The first and second yokes118a,118bare oriented perpendicular to one another and positioned in an overlapping manner, such that the slots126a,126bmeet at an intersection point of the yokes118a,118b. The diametrically opposed ends128a,128bof the first and second yokes118a,118bare rotationally mounted to the platform116in a fixed position. Thus, the first yoke118ais constrained to pivotal movement in a first direction130awith respect to the platform116; and the second yoke118bis pivotally movable in a second direction130bthat is perpendicular to the first direction130a.

Referring toFIG. 3B, the pilot member120includes a central shaft132and a convex flange134extending radially outward to surround the shaft132. The shaft132defines a central threaded bore136. The convex flange134provides a sloping upper flange surface with curvature to accommodate the semi-spherical shape of the first and second yokes118a,118b. The pilot member120is located with the convex flange134positioned beneath the first and second yokes118a,118band an upper portion of the shaft132projecting through the intersection point of the slots126a,126b. The clamp member122is coupled with the pilot member120to retain the pilot member120at the intersection point of the slots126a,126b. The clamp member122includes a central opening138and a concave flange135extending radially outward to surround the opening138. The concave flange135provides a sloping lower flange surface with curvature to accommodate the semi-spherical shape of the first and second yokes118a,118b. The clamp member122is located with the concave flange135positioned above the first and second yokes118a,118b. The upper portion of the shaft132of the pilot member120projects longitudinally into the opening138of the clamp member122. To couple the clamp member122to the pilot member120, a radial lip139at the upper end of the shaft132of the pilot member120provides a snap engagement with a radial shoulder140in the opening138of the clamp member122.

Still referring toFIG. 3B, the lock knob124includes a shank141and head142. The head142includes three flanges144a,144b,144c, extending radially outward to surround a cylindrical body143coaxially aligned with the shank141. The flanges144a,144b,144care substantially flat and spaced apart from one another longitudinally along the body143. A lower portion of the shank141is threaded. The shank141projects longitudinally into the opening138of the clamp member122and the central bore of the shaft132of the pilot member120. The threads of the central bore of the shaft132of the pilot member120mate with the threads at the lower portion of the shank141of the lock knob124. Thus, the lock knob124is telescopically coupled with the pilot member120and the clamp member122.

The lock knob124is movable with two degrees of freedom relative to the substructure106in the directions130a,130bpermitted by the first and second yokes118a,118b. Movement of the lock knob124causes identical movement of the coupled pilot member120. Movement of the pilot member120driven by the lock knob124causes movement by the first and second yokes118a,118bas the shaft132of the pilot member120interacts with the slots126a,126b. For example, as the pilot member120moves through the slot126aof the first yoke118b, the second yoke118bis pulled by the shaft132to pivot in the second direction130b; and vice versa. The length of the slot126a,126bin each respective yoke118a,118bbounds the movement of the pilot member120, and therefore the lock knob124. Freedom in the pivoting directions130a,130bpermits the lock knob124to execute 360° circumduction movement resembling the conical movement of a joystick.

Still referring toFIG. 3B, the shield104is attached to the lock knob124by two grippers146a,146bthat extend outward from the rear side148of the shield104to engage with the head142of the lock knob124. Each of the grippers146a,146bincludes a pair of opposing fingers formed to reach between the flanges144b,114cto grip the body143of the head142. As shown, the first gripper146ais positioned between the flanges144band144cof the lock knob124; and the second gripper146bis positioned below the flange144c. In some embodiments, the grippers146a,146bloosely grip the body143to allow 360° of rotational movement149in a direction about a central axis of the lock knob124. The shield104can also be tilted at various angles relative to the substructure106by circumduction movement of the lock knob124.FIGS. 4A-Cillustrate the shield104tilted at an angle that is forward and sideways relative to the stationary substructure106of the base102.

In some embodiments, the previously described movements of the shield104are permitted while the retainer structure108is in an unlocked condition, and prevented while the retainer structure108is in a locked condition. In this embodiment, the retainer structure108can be operated from the unlocked condition to the locked condition by adjusting the lock knob124. For example, the lock knob124can be rotated (e.g., clockwise or counter clockwise) to telescopically advance the shank141downward through the shaft132of the pilot member120via the mating threads. Downward movement of the lock knob124relative to the pilot member120and the clamp member122urges the bottommost gripper146bof the shield104toward the rim150of the opening138of the clamp member122. As the lock knob124continues to advance downward, the clamp member122is pressed down against the first and second yokes118a,118b. The first and second yokes118a,118bare clamped between the concave flange135of the clamp member122and the convex flange134of the pilot member120, and therefore held in a fixed position by frictional forces. With the first and second yokes118a,118bheld stationary, circumduction movement of the lock knob124is prevented. Likewise, the first gripper146abecomes clamped between the flanges144band144cof the lock knob124; and the second gripper146bbecomes clamped between the flanges144cof the lock knob124and the rim140of the clamp member122. Thus, frictional forces also prevent rotation of the shield104about the central axis of the lock knob124. As should be understood fromFIGS. 1A-4C, the shield104can be repeatedly operated between the locked condition and the unlocked condition (by adjusting the lock knob124) so that the shield104is locked into different user-selected orientations relative to the base102throughout a medical procedure.

As noted above, the shield104can also act as a physical barrier to protect the healthcare worker. Referring to backFIGS. 1A-C, the outer edges of the shield104define an overall size of the shield104—including a height “H,” a width “W”—and a thickness “T” (FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, the shield104is provided having a contoured shape. In some embodiments, the contoured shape of the shield104can provide enhanced splash and spatter protection to inhibit liquids (e.g., blood and other bodily fluids) from contacting the healthcare worker during a medical procedure while simultaneously providing an ergonomic space for the healthcare worker to position his/her hands during use. In this embodiment, the shield104has a skewed reverse curve profile along its height, defining a short outwardly projecting lip152at the top of the shield104and an arcuate midsection154(FIG. 1B). During use, the shield104can be positioned with the front side156of the shield104facing the healthcare worker and the rear side158of the shield104facing a radiation source. In this orientation, the lip152and the midsection154are directed away from the healthcare worker to provide liquid splash and spatter protection. Further, because the midsection154of the shield104bows outward away from the healthcare worker, there is additional space for the healthcare worker to maneuver his/her hands (e.g., to perform a medical procedure and/or to adjust the lock knob124). In this embodiment, the shield104is also contoured widthwise (convex from the front side156of the shield104) to curve around the space where the healthcare worker is expected to position his/her hands (FIG. 1C). This configuration may provide additional protection for the healthcare worker around the space where the healthcare worker positions his/her hands. Notches160are provided near the bottom of the shield104to receive a tubular work piece (e.g., a catheter) installed on a patient (FIG. 1A).

In some embodiments, the shield104is capable of attenuating or deflecting the flux of electromagnetic radiation (e.g., X-Ray radiation) directed at the shield104by a radiation source (not shown). The effectiveness of the shield104directly corresponds to the radiation shielding properties of the materials used to fabricate the shield104. The required radiation shielding effectiveness of the shield104may vary across different applications. For example, a less effective shield may be used applications where the healthcare worker is farther away from the radiation source, and vice versa. In some embodiments, the shield104can include one or more layers of radiation shielding material (e.g. a sheet of lead foil). For example, such radiation shielding layers can be sandwiched between plastic or metal reinforcement layers. In some embodiments, the shield104can be fabricated from a plastic material infused with suitable radiation shielding materials (e.g., materials including barium, lead, tungsten, tin, aluminum and/or any attenuating metal).

As described above, the shield104is carried by various components of the retainer structure108. So, as practical matter, a tolerable weight of the shield104may be affected by the load bearing capacity of the retainer structure108. Further, in applications where, for example, the shielding device100is supported directly on a body part of the patient, the tolerable weight of the shield104may be selected so as to reduce excessive strain on the patient's skin or other body part.

Factors that may be considered in designing a shield104of suitable weight include the volume of the shield104and the density of the fabricating materials. The weight of the shield104increases with increasing volume and/or density. The volume of the shield104varies according to its surface area and thickness. The volume of the shield104can be varied without affecting the overall size (i.e., the height “H,” the width “W”), for example, by adjusting the degree of curvature of the contours (e.g., the lip152, the midsection154, and the widthwise contour) and/or by adjusting the thickness of the shield104. In some applications, it may be advantageous to maintain a relative large overall size of the shield104to provide adequate protection to the healthcare worker. The density of the shield104can vary based on the specific type and amount of radiation shielding material used. For example, barium sulfate is approximately two-thirds less dense than lead, and therefore would provide a less dense, and lighter, shield if all other conditions (e.g., the volume of the shield and/or the other fabrication materials) are equal. As such, in some embodiments, the shield may comprise a material such as barium sulfate or another heavy metal material suitable for reducing or blocking radiation exposure.

In this embodiment, the volume of the shield is about 50 cm3to about 100 cm3(preferably about 71 cm3in the depicted example), and is fabricated from a plastic material infused with barium sulfate, which provides a shield density of about 1.5 g/cm3to about 2.5 g/cm3(preferably about 2.0 g/cm3in the depicted example). The height of the shield is about 5 cm to about 25 cm (preferably about 15 cm in the depicted example); the mass of the shield is about 100 g to about 200 g (preferably about 142 g in the depicted example); the thickness of the shield is about 1 mm to about 5 mm (preferably about 2.3 mm in the depicted example); the radius of curvature of the lip of the shield is about 5 mm to about 10 mm (preferably about 7.7 mm in the depicted example); the radius of curvature of the midsection of the shield is about 3 cm to about 10 cm (preferably about 5.1 cm in the depicted example); and the radius of curvature of the widthwise contour is about 10 cm to about 25 cm (preferably about 17.7 cm in the depicted example). In this embodiment, the shield weighs about 0.1 lbs to about 0.5 lbs (preferably about 0.3 lbs in the depicted example).

FIGS. 5A and 5Bdepict a shielding device500that is similar to the shielding device100, including a base502and a shield504coupled to the base502. In this embodiment, the contours of the shield504are significantly more pronounced compared to the shield104. In particular, the lip552and the midsection554have a significantly greater degree of curvature, creating a greater surface area and therefore a greater volume (assuming constant overall size and thickness). Thus, if all other conditions are equal, the shield504would have a greater weight than the shield104.

The base502includes a substructure506and a retainer structure508. In this embodiment, the substructure506includes four radial legs512. In some embodiments, the legs512are flexible and can be bent out of plane to follow the shape of a supporting object. The retainer structure508includes a platform516, a first yoke518a, a second yoke518b, a pilot member520, a clamp member522, and a lock knob524. Generally, these components may be assembled to function generally as described above. However, in this embodiment, the shield504is coupled to the lock knob524by a coupling pin562. In particular, the lock knob524includes a central bore for receiving the lower end of the coupling pin562; and the upper end of the coupling pin562is received by a collar housing564on the rear side548of the shield504.

FIGS. 6A-6Ldepict various example shields604a-604fthat may be suitable for use in various embodiments of a suitable shielding device. As described above, the overall shape and size, as well as the contours of the various shields604a-604fmay affect the volume, and therefore the weight, of the respective shield for a given density of the fabricating materials. The configuration of the shield (e.g., the size, shape, contour, thickness, density) may vary across different implementations based on the desired application. For example, applications requiring protection from a relative high degree of scatter radiation may involve a shield that is relatively large in overall size to provide broad coverage. In this case, the weight of the shield can be maintained within tolerable limits, for example, by fabricating the shield with a less dense material and/or by fabricating the shield with less severe counters and/or relatively low thickness.

FIG. 7depicts yet another shielding device700including a base702and a shield704coupled to the base702. The shield704is similar to the shield104, having a contoured shape defining a reverse curve profile including an outwardly projecting lip752and an arcuate midsection754. The shield704is also contoured widthwise, appearing convex from the front side756of the shield704. As noted above, in some embodiments, the contoured shape of the shield704can provide splash and spatter protection to inhibit liquids from contacting the healthcare worker. Further, in some embodiments, the contoured shape of the shield704can provide an ergonomic space for the healthcare worker to position his/her hands during use.

The base702includes a substructure706and a retainer structure708. As in previous embodiments, during use of the shielding device700, the substructure706supports the base702on the surface of an object (not shown) and the retainer structure708couples the base702to the shield704. In this embodiment, the substructure706includes a butterfly-shaped member having opposing tapered oblong wings712connected by a narrow body710. In some embodiments, the substructure706can include a compliant member capable of conforming to various contours and corners of the supporting object. For example, in this embodiment, the wings712can be bent out of plane to follow the shape of the object. In some embodiments, the substructure706can include a malleable wire frame to reinforce the compliant member. In some embodiments, the substructure706is fabricated from one or more materials that are suitable for medical applications (e.g., biocompatible metallic and/or polymeric materials). In some embodiments, a bottom surface714of the substructure706can include an adhesive material suitable for temporarily adhering the base702to the supporting object. The adhesive can be a medical grade adhesive resistant to water, blood, and other bodily fluids, and releasable by alcohol (e.g., ethyl alcohol). In some embodiments, the substructure706is fabricated from one or more materials capable of accepting an infusion of radiation shielding material (e.g., material including barium, lead, tungsten, tin, aluminum and/or any attenuating metal). In some embodiments, the substructure706can include a laminated multi-layer construction. For example, the substructure706can include a skin-friendly underlayer (e.g., a foam layer) bonded to a reinforcing overlayer (e.g., a flexible metal or plastic layer).

As shown, the substructure706further includes a plurality of apertures766that extend through the material to expose the supporting object. During use, a healthcare worker can suture the substructure706to the object through one or more of the apertures766, for example, if the adhesive on the bottom surface714is unsuitable of ineffective for the particular applications. As one example, the healthcare worker can suture the substructure to a patient's skin through the apertures766if the patient is allergic to the adhesive.

The retainer structure708is attached to the substructure706across the narrow body710between the wings712. The retainer structure708can be attached to a coupling member768provided at the bottom end of the shield704to couple the shield704to the base702. In some embodiments, the coupling member768can be snap-fit or press-fit to the retainer structure708to secure the shield704to the base702. In this embodiment, the retainer structure708includes a slot770appropriately shaped and sized for receiving a tubular work piece (e.g., a catheter, a drain, an intravenous line) and a lock mechanism772for securing the work piece in the slot770. For example, if shielding device700is supported on an object proximate a catheter exit site, the catheter can be positioned lengthwise in the slot770and held in place by the lock mechanism772to inhibit the unintentional release of the catheter from the patient. The slot770and the lock mechanism772can be designed to accommodate a particular size or a range of sizes. In some embodiments, the slot770and the lock mechanism772are designed to accommodate tubular work pieces in the range of about 4 French (1.33 mm) to about 12 French (4 mm). In some embodiments, the lock mechanism772includes a spring-loaded clamp (not shown) that grips the work piece with sufficient force to inhibit unintentional release of the work piece. In some embodiments, the work piece can be secured and/or released from the lock mechanism772without removing the shield704from the base702, which may allow the healthcare worker to adjust the work piece during a medical procedure without being exposed to radiation. In some embodiments, a shielding plug (not shown) can be installed on the retainer structure708to block fluid and/or radiation from penetrating through the slot770and the lock mechanism772when no work piece is present.

FIG. 8depicts a shielding device800that is similar to the shielding device700, including a base802and a shield804coupled to the base802In this embodiment, the shield804is mounted to a coupling member868by a ball and socket joint874. The coupling member868attaches the shield804to the retainer structure808of the base802. The ball and socket joint874permits movement of the shield804relative to the base802within at least two degrees of freedom. In this embodiment, the ball and socket joint874permits rotational movement876of the shield804about an axis878substantially perpendicular to the base802, and articulating movement880about an axis882substantially perpendicular to the axis of rotation. As shown, the articulating movement880tilts the shield804forward and backward relative to the base802. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint874permits 360° of rotation of the shield804. In some embodiments, the ball and socket joint874limits articulation of the shield804to plus or minus 30°.

Referring now toFIG. 9, a suitable shielding device (e.g., shielding device100,500,700and800) can be operated (e.g., by a healthcare worker) to implement a process900of shielding radiation and/or liquid from a healthcare worker during a medical procedure. Note that the process900does not require the particular order of operations shown inFIG. 9and described below to achieve desirable results. In addition, other operations may be provided, or eliminated, to the process900without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In operation910, a base of the shielding device can be coupled to an object. The object may include an exposed body part of a patient or any other structure that is capable of carrying the base and an attached shield. In some embodiments, the base can be coupled to the object by an adhesive layer on a bottom surface of the base. In some embodiments, the base can be sutured to the object.

In operation920, a shield of the shielding device can be coupled to the base. For example, the shield can be attached to a retainer structure of the base. In some embodiments, the retainer structure may include a lock knob and the rear side of the shield can include grippers that engage the head of the lock knob (e.g., shielding device100). In some embodiments, the shield can be coupled to the lock knob by a coupling pin (e.g., shielding device500). The lower end of the coupling pin is received in a central bore of the lock knob, and the upper end of the coupling pin is received by a collar housing on the rear side of the shield. In some embodiments, a coupling member at the bottom end of the shield can be press-fit or snap-fit to the retainer structure (e.g., shielding device700). In some embodiments, a malleable stem or a clasp can be used to couple the shield to the base.

Optionally, in operation930, the angle of the shield relative to the base of the shielding device and the object can be adjusted. In some embodiments, the coupling between the shield and the base permits movement of the shield within three degrees of freedom relative to the base (e.g., shielding device100). In this case, the angle of the shield relative to the base can be adjusted by rotation and circumduction movement of the shield relative to the base. In some embodiments, the coupling permits movement of the shield within at least two degrees of freedom (e.g., shielding device800). In this case, the angle of the shield relative to the base can be adjusted by rotation and articulation movement of the shield relative to the base. Optionally, in operation940, the shield can be locked in place at the angle. For example, in embodiments where the shield includes a lock knob threaded to a pilot member (e.g., shielding device100and500), the lock knob can be rotated to clamp the shield in place.

In operation950, the medical procedure can be conducted while the shield inhibits radiation and/or liquid from contacting the healthcare worker. In some embodiments, the shield can be fabricated from one or more suitable radiation shielding materials. In some embodiments, the shield can be appropriately contoured to block liquid splash and splatter that may occur during the medical procedure. Optionally, in operation960, the shielding device is removed from the supporting object and disposed of, for example, to prevent the spreading of pathogens between patients and/or healthcare workers.

The use of terminology such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” “bottom,” “over,” “above,” and “below” throughout the specification and claims is for describing the relative positions of various components of the system and other elements described herein. Similarly, the use of any horizontal or vertical terms to describe elements is for describing relative orientations of the various components of the system and other elements described herein. Unless otherwise stated explicitly, the use of such terminology does not imply a particular position or orientation of the system or any other components relative to the direction of the Earth gravitational force, or the Earth ground surface, or other particular position or orientation that the system other elements may be placed in during operation, manufacturing, and transportation.

A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention.