Patent Number: 040244059
Section: description

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an X-ray eye shield 10 in place on the head of a patient. As can be seen, the eye shield 10 with frame 12 closely fits the contours of the head and radiopaque lens cups 14a and 14b fit comfortably against the eye socket. The lens cups 14a and 14b shield the opening of the eye socket from all angles. FIGS. 2-4 show eye shield 10 in more detail. Thus, it is seen to have a frame 12 with a bridge portion 16 and temple pieces 18 and 20. These three parts are attached at hinges 22a and 22b. The hinges 22a and 22b may be spring-loaded so that the temple pieces 18 and 20 are biased against the temples as shown by directional arrows 24 and 26. Other arrangements to obtain a close fit may also be used. Frame 12 is made of a radiolucent plastic material of any type commonly used in spectacle frames. However hinges 22a and 22b are metal and would distort a radiopgraph taken in the area over which the hinges are positioned. Therefore, it is desirable to have hinges 22a and 22b coextensive with lens cups 14a and 14b so that only the sensitive eye area is blocked from X-ray radiation. Likewise, no metal reinforcement as commonly found in spectacle frames in used. Lens cups 14a ad 14b are made of a material which will prevent passage of X-ray radiation. Typical of such materials is lead film encased in a plastic material, for example, a 0.030 - 0.040 inch or more thickness lead film. Other materials which prevent the passage of X-ray radiation could also be used. The structure of the preferred laminated lens cup is best shown in FIG. 5. There lead film 28 is surrounded by plastic 30, which may be ABS, acrylic, vinyl, polyamide or other know rigid plastics. For support a thin metal wire or rod 32 is located around the periphery of the lens cups, althoug this is not necessary if the plastic material is strong enough to have the hinges embedded therein without the need for further support. Similarly, an exterior frame could be used rather than a embedded wire. In any event, lens cup 14a and 14b are attached via the plastic (reinforced or not), or lens cup frame etc., to frame 12. Thus, referring again to FIG. 2, there is shown hinges 34a to 34b by which lens cups 14a ad 14b are attached to the frame 12. Preferably, these hinges are passive so that the dentist, hygienist, or dental assistant can position the lens cups 14a and 14b snugly against the eye socket as desired. That is, for effective protection of the eye tissue against X-ray radiation a fairly snug fit is required. This is made possible by adjustment or movement of the individual lens cups as shown by directional arrows 36 and 38. It should be noted, as memtioned previously, that bridge portion 16, having nose pads 40, is located lower than normally found in ordinary spectacles. This is best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3-4. The reason for this is that certain X-ray machines used by dentits i.e., panograph and cephalometric, have a guide portion that rests on the bridge of the nose to stabilize the patient's head during radiography. In order to accomodate use of this type of X-ray machine, the bridge porton 16 is located as shown in the figures. As is apparent, these features make eye sield 10 ideally suited for use during preparation of dental radiographs. However, eye shield 10 could also be used at any other time it is desired to protect sensitive eye tissue from X-ray or other types of radiation. While the article herein described constitutes a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise article, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention.