Patent Number: 050158643
Section: summary

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Physicians and other medical personnel are frequently exposed to stray radiation during diagnostic, therapeutic or surgical procedures. Exposure to stray radiation over prolonged periods can be dangerous. To shield against radiation it has been the practice for physician, or other personnel, to wear a protective lead apron, as well as a rigid lead glass head shield, which is attached to the upper portion of the apron. As the apron and head shield have a substantial weight, wearing of this equipment for prolonged periods is extremely fatiguing and can cause back pain and vertebral damage. To overcome this problem, it has been proposed, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,341 to support the lead apron from an overhead dolley, so that the weight of the apron is not supported by the user. However, devices of this type provide limited maneuverability and in many instances, due to the installation of other overhead equipment, it is not possible to mount the supporting dolley in an overhead position. U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,538 describes a radiation shield that includes a rigid radiation shielding window that is suspended from an overhead dolley and a series of flexible strips of radiation shielding material are suspended from the lower edge of the window. Again, devices of this type have limited maneuverability and as the user must part the flexible strips to perform a working operation, it does not give full protection for the body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to an improved mobile radiation shield having particular use for protecting physicians, and other medical personnel, who may be exposed to stray radiation during diagnostic, therapeutic or surgical procedures. The apparatus includes a mobile frame composed of a pair of vertical frame members, and a plurality of caster wheels are associated with the lower portion of each vertical frame member to enable the frame to be readily moved over the ground or terrain. A lead apron is attached to the frame, preferably by Velcro fasteners, and a head piece including a lead glass window is provided with a flexible bib which is removably attached to the upper end of the frame, also by Velcro fasteners. In addition, the frame includes a generally circular thrust bar, which is adapted to encompass the waist of the user, so that the user, by exerting a force against the thrust bar can move the frame over the ground. The thrust bar is cushioned or padded and can be adjusted in diameter to accommodate different waist sizes. To provide a height adjustent, each vertical frame member is composed of a pair of telescopic sections, so that the vertical frame members can be adjusted to readily accommodate different heights. As a further feature, the apparatus can also include a pair of lead shoulder flaps, which are connected together through a connecting strap, and each shoulder flap can be removably attached to the upper end of the frame and serves to protect the shoulders of the user. With the apparatus of the invention, the entire weight of the apron and head piece is supported entirely by the frame. As the user is not required to support the heavy equipment over prolonged periods, fatigue is substantially reduced and vertebral pain and damage is eliminated. The device is fully maneuverable through walking motion of the user. Thus, there is no limit to the maneuverability of the apparatus. As the radiation shield is propelled by the user and does not require power operation, it is a relatively inexpensive device, as compared to prior art devices that required power operation. The radiation shield provides full protection for the user, protecting not only the body and head, but also the shoulders. The shield is fully adjustable. Vertical adjustment is provided for height and an adjustment is also provided for the waist size of the user. The wheels or casters are arranged such that the leading or front edge of the apron extends slightly beyond the wheels, so that the user can move directly against a table or other object without interference from the wheels. Other objects and advantages will appear in the course of the following description.