Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a radiographic shield incorporating a radiographic shutter mechanism, and a protective jacket for a radiographic device. The radiographic shutter mechanism includes machined tungsten components which in some embodiments, includes a jigsaw puzzle type interconnection, the radiographic shield includes an S-shaped passageway in combination with the radiographic shutter mechanism. The protective jacket allows for various mounting configurations, such as integrated SCAR mounting configurations, including a ratchet snap configuration.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/058,287, filed on Oct. 1, 2014, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
       FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a radiographic shield with an S-shaped passageway, further incorporating a radiographic shutter mechanism, and a protective jacket for a radiographic device. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
       [0003]    In the prior art, the need for protection in the field of gamma radiography is well-established and self-evident. Improvements are continually sought which maintain radiographic safety but which are more economical and less cumbersome to use, as well as providing for efficient work procedures. 
         [0004]    For example, traditional tungsten shields need to be either a machined straight tube design or an S-tube design. The straight tube design can be machined using conventional machining methods but this design requires shielding attached to the front of the source or source assembly. This design limits the types of radiography that can be performed. S-tube designs typically require a casting process which can be expensive and may produce voids within the material which can reduce shielding efficiency 
         [0005]    Similarly, traditional tungsten shields need to be either a machined “straight tube” design or an “S” tube design. The straight tube design can be machined using conventional machining methods but this design requires shielding attached to the front of the source. This may limit the types of radiography that can be performed. 
         [0006]    Finally, the prior art includes protective jackets for radiographic devices which uses a metal handle. However, this is less ergonomic than desired, and typically does not include mounting features. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    The disclosure relates to various devices in the field of protection in gamma radiography. The disclosure relates to interlocking shielding and a source path within a gamma radiography shield, and a protective jacket for a gamma radiography device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    Further objects and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent from the following description and from the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1A  is a front perspective view of the two parts of a first embodiment of the interlocking shield of the present disclosure, shown in a separated configuration. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1B  is a front perspective view of the two parts of a first embodiment of the interlocking shield of the present disclosure, shown in an assembled configuration. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a front perspective view of the two parts of a second embodiment of the interlocking shield of the present disclosure, shown in a separated configuration. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a front perspective view of the two parts of a second embodiment of the interlocking shield of the present disclosure, shown in an assembled configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the source path of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a radiological device, including an embodiment of the shutter mechanism used in combination with the source path of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an embodiment of molded polymer protective jackets. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gamma radiography device with the molded polymer jacket of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gamma radiation device with the molded polymer protective jacket of  FIGS. 5 and 6 , shown using SCAR (small contained area radiography) mounting features. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a detailed side view of an embodiment of the molded polymer protective jacket, showing the mounting apertures for a ratchet strap. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a detailed bottom view of an embodiment of the molded polymer protective jacket, showing the mounting apertures for a SCAR feature. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0020]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , one sees a first embodiment of an interlocking shield  10  for gamma radiography. In this embodiment, typically, a single piece of tungsten is machined into first and second halves  12 ,  14  using wire EDM (electrical discharge machining). First half  12  includes a longitudinally-oriented indentation  15  which receives the longitudinally oriented ridge  13  of second half  14 . End  40  of source path  30  (described in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) opens on first half  12 . 
         [0021]    An alternative embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 2A and 2B . This embodiment has jigsaw puzzle type characteristics in the opposing portions of the outline of the first and second halves  12 ,  14  with first half  12  including a first protrusion  16  which tightly interlocks into second undercut recess  18  of second half  14 . Likewise, second half  14  includes a second protrusion  20  which tightly interlocks into first undercut recess  22  of first half  12 . The pattern creates an interlocking feature which limits the assembly to a single degree of freedom for an extremely strong assembly typically without the need for bolting the first and second halves  12 ,  14  to each other. This pattern also improves the radioactive shielding by allowing the use of offset overlapping joints which reduces the direct path of the gamma radiation. By the use of separate first and second halves  12 ,  14 , the source path  30  can be machined into each half. This allows for unique source path shapes to be created typically without the need to cast the tungsten. The ability to remove and disassemble the shield allows for inspection and maintenance. 
         [0022]    This design thereby takes advantage of the radiological shielding properties of machined tungsten while allowing maximum joint design, secure interlocking and provides the ability to machine unique source paths within the shield  10 . 
         [0023]      FIGS. 3 and 4  relate to a shield  10  with a radiological shutter mechanism  42 .  FIG. 3  illustrates a shield  10  (such as illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B ), typically made of tungsten, including an S-shaped passageway forming source path  30 . It is noted that due to the upward rise  36  in S-shaped passageway or source path  30 , that there is no direct or straight open path (i.e., line of sight) between the first end  38  and the second end  40  of source path  30 , thereby providing radiological shielding between the first and second ends  38 ,  40 , particularly in view of the preferred tungsten composition of shield  10 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a radiological device  100  (engaged by a protective jacket  200  as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-9 ), including the modified S-tube source path  30  in combination with a radiological shutter mechanism  42 , typically made from tungsten, travelling vertically (in the illustrated orientation) through shaft  43  formed in source path  28 . The shutter mechanism  42  is typically manually operated by screw  44  extending through the bottom surface of the shield  10  through passageway  41 . The “lazy-S” source path  30  provides shielding adequate when the projector front plate or collimator assembly is attached. The shutter mechanism  42  is typically operated to provide shielding of radiological source  400  during a mode change (for example, from a projector front plate to a collimator assembly) of the gamma radiography device  100 . Typically, the primary purpose of the radiological shutter mechanism  42  is to reduce gamma radiation scatter from leaving the source path  30  when the radiographer is changing the device from SCAR (small contained area radiography) mode to projector mode. 
         [0024]    The S-shaped design, including the upward rise  36  in passageway  30 , is intended to provide sufficient shielding to prevent a direct path of radiation from leaving the source path  30 , such as from radiological source  400 , through second end  40  of source path  30 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . This in combination with the shutter mechanism  42  (during the mode change) provides an approach to shield design. The shutter mechanism  42  is used typically to provide shielding only during the mode change. 
         [0025]    This embodiment exploits the benefits of the shielding of the SCAR assembly and the projector front plate assembly. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5-9  relate to an embodiment of a protective jacket  200  for a gamma radiography device  100  (the protective jacket  200  is likewise illustrated in  FIG. 4 ).  FIGS. 6 and 7  relate to a polymer molded jacket  200  that is used as a protective cover as well as a device for carrying the radiography device  100 . The protective jacket  200  includes handle  202  including interior oriented molded finger indentations  204 . First and second ring configurations  206 ,  208  form a cylindrical space  210  for engaging a radiological device  200 . A lower floor  212 , which may be partially cylindrical) joins first and second ring configurations  206 ,  208  and an open space  214  is formed between the upper portions of first and second ring configurations  206 ,  208  in order to provide access to the controls of radiological device  100 . Further, the end of first ring configuration  206  includes an opening  216  through which radiological device  100  passes to be engaged or disengaged by the protective jacket  200 . Second ring configuration  208  includes a closed end wall  218  to secure the radiological device  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 7-9 , the illustrated protective jacket  200  further allows for mounting features when operating the radiological device  100  as a SCAR unit. By using a molded polymer-based protective jacket  200  rather than the industry standard of a simple metal handle, the illustrated embodiment of the protective jacket  200  allows for integrated SCAR mounting features such as mounting apertures  220  on a side of lower floor  212  (see  FIG. 8 ) for a ratchet snap configuration  300  or other fixture kits.  FIG. 7  further illustrates a SCAR mounting fixture  400  which includes a first side which is attached to the bottom of the lower floor  212  of protective jacket  200  via the mounting apertures  220  (see  FIG. 9 ) on the bottom of the protective jacket  200 . The SCAR mounting fixture  400  further includes a second side for engaging against the curved surface of the pole  500  (which may be an architectural fixture) or similar structure. This protective jacket  200  further provides a more ergonomic product as compared to prior art protective jackets. 
         [0027]    Thus the several aforementioned objects and advantages are most effectively attained. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in detail herein, it should be understood that this invention is in no sense limited thereby.