Patent Abstract:
A radiation attenuation system for use with Computed Tomography procedures and a Computed Tomography having a radiation attenuation system are disclosed. The radiation disclosed attenuation system includes a shield made of a flexible radiation attenuation material and an interface supporting the shield at the Computed Tomography machine. The interface allows the shield to be selectively added to and removed from the Computed Tomography machine. The disclosed Computed Tomography machine includes a gantry defining an opening through which a patient table is at least partially inserted during a Computed Tomography procedure and a housing enclosing the gantry without substantially covering the opening and remaining fixed relative thereto. The housing is at least partially defined by a front panel that is formed of a substrate and a radiation attenuation material. The radiation attenuation material is in the form of a flexible sheet and is fixed relative to the substrate. The radiation attenuation material attenuates radiation that would otherwise pass through the front panel during the Computed Tomography procedure.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/999,116, filed Nov. 29, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,303,334, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/808,731, filed Mar. 25, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,099,427, the full disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     The present disclosure relates to a radiation attenuation system. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a radiation attention system adapted for use with Computed Tomography procedures such as Computed Tomography scanning procedures and Computed Tomography fluoroscopy procedures. The present disclosure further relates to radiation attenuation system that is intended to reduce radiation exposure to at least one of a patient and medical personnel during Computed Tomography procedures.  
         [0003]     Computed Tomography (CT) procedures are commonly used to obtain cross-sectional images of the patient&#39;s body, including images of a patient&#39;s brain, lungs, heart, liver, bones, blood vessels, etc. CT procedures are often used to diagnose different kinds of diseases such as cancer, to plan radiation treatments and surgeries, and to guide physicians during biopsies and other invasive procedures.  
         [0004]     CT procedures involve the use of CT machines that use x-ray radiation to obtain the cross-sectional images. In conducting a CT procedure, a patient is placed in the CT machine between an x-ray generating source and an x-ray detecting sensor. The CT machine delivers controlled amounts of x-ray radiation from the x-ray generating source to the portion of the patient&#39;s body being examined. The x-ray detecting sensor is positioned on the other side of the patient and captures the x-ray radiation passing through the body of the patient. The x-ray detecting sensor sends an output signal to a processor representative of the amount of x-ray radiation absorbed by the patient. The processor receives the output signal from the x-ray detecting sensor and processes the signal to create the cross-sectional images of the patient on a display.  
         [0005]     As presently configured, areas in which CT procedures are conducted (i.e. CT areas) expose not only the patient to radiation, but also the physicians and other medical personnel that may be present during the procedure. In CT procedures, significant amounts of radiation may be scattered to the patient and to the physician, or other medical personnel in the CT area (i.e. scatter radiation). The likelihood of having radiation scattered to the physician or other medical personnel is increased for CT fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures during which the medical personnel is in the CT area during the scan.  
         [0006]     In addition, medical personnel and patients may be exposed to radiation emanating through the body or housing of the CT machine during a CT procedure. CT machines generally include a housing (i.e., gantry) defining an opening in which a patient is placed during a CT procedure. While the x-ray generating source generally concentrates the emitted x-ray radiation to the area defined by the opening, it is possible for at least some x-ray radiation to pass through the housing of the CT machine. Radiation passing through the housing of the CT machine may be received by the patient and/or the medical personnel present during the CT procedure.  
         [0007]     Exposure to radiation may create potential health concerns. Radiation specialists and government agencies recognize the potential health risks caused by ionizing radiation and have developed the principle of ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable). The principle of ALARA requires that radiation levels be reduced to the greatest degree possible taking into account a reasonable cost and physical application.  
         [0008]     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that may be used during CT procedures to minimize a patient&#39;s exposure to radiation. It would further be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that reduces the amount of radiation exposure for medical personnel working in a CT area. It would also be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that is relatively flexible and compliant, and adaptable for use with a variety of CT machines and CT procedures. It would also be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that is disposable. It would also be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that is sterilizible before use. It would also be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that may be coupled to CT devices having different configurations. It would further be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system for protecting medical personnel that is suitable for use with CT fluoroscopy procedures where medical personnel may need to insert biopsy needles or other instrumentation without hindrance. It would also be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system which provides a relatively high degree of comfort to the user. It would further be advantageous to provide a radiation attenuation system that is configured to reduce the amount of radiation exposure realized by a patient and/or medical personnel due to radiation emanating from the body or housing of a CT machine. It would further be advantageous to provide a CT machine having a radiation attenuation system configured to minimize the amount of radiation that passes through the body or housing of the CT machine and into the CT area. It would still further be advantageous to provide a housing for a CT machine configured to minimize the amount of radiation that passes through the substrate or body of the housing into the CT area. It would be desirable to provide for a radiation attenuation system having one or more of these or other advantageous features.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     An exemplary embodiment relates to a system for the attenuation of radiation during a Computed Tomography procedure using a Computed Tomography machine having a gantry defining an opening configured to receive a patient table. The system includes a shield made of a flexible radiation attenuation material and an interface supporting the shield at the Computed Tomography machine. The interface allows the shield to be selectively added to and removed from the Computed Tomography machine.  
         [0010]     Another exemplary embodiment relates to a method of attenuating radiation during a Computed Tomography procedure preformed by a Computed Tomography machine having a gantry defining an opening. The method includes selectively supporting a flexible radiation attenuation material at least partially in front of the opening defined by the gantry. The flexible radiation attenuation material is selectively addable to and removable from in front of the opening by the medical personnel depending on the Computed Tomography procedure.  
         [0011]     Another exemplary embodiment relates a Computed Tomography machine. The Computed Tomography machine includes a gantry defining an opening through which a patient table is at least partially inserted during a Computed Tomography procedure and a housing enclosing the gantry without substantially covering the opening and remaining fixed relative thereto. The housing is at least partially defined by a front panel that is formed of a substrate and a radiation attenuation material. The radiation attenuation material is in the form of a flexible sheet and is fixed relative to the substrate. The radiation attenuation material attenuates radiation that would otherwise pass through the front panel during the Computed Tomography procedure. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system for protecting a patient according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system for protecting at least one of a patient and a medical personnel according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3   a  is an anterior view of a patient wearing radiation attenuating garment according to exemplary embodiment.  
         [0015]      FIG. 3   b  is a posterior view of a patient wearing radiation attenuating garment according to exemplary embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a radiation attenuation system according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of another radiation attenuation system according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 7   a  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0020]      FIG. 7   b  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7   c  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0022]      FIG. 7   d  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7   e  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0024]      FIG. 7   f  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0025]      FIG. 7   g  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7   h  is a plan view of a radiation attenuation pad according to an exemplary embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  8 - 8  showing the housing according to one exemplary embodiment.  
         [0028]      FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  8 - 8  showing the housing according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0029]      FIG. 10  is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  8 - 8  showing the housing according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 11  is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  8 - 8  showing the housing according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0031]      FIG. 12  is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  8 - 8  showing the housing according to another exemplary embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of the CT machine of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  8 - 8  showing the housing according to another exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0033]      FIG. 1  shows a Computed Tomography (CT) machine  20  of the type commonly used to create cross-sectional images the body of a patient  10 . CT machines are well known and widely used in the medical field. Accordingly, CT machine  20 , as illustrated, is intended to be representative of all conventionally known CT machines and is not intended to be limited to the exact configuration shown.  
         [0034]     CT machine  20  may be used for both CT scanning procedures and CT fluoroscopy procedures. As used herein, the use of the term “CT scanning procedures” is intended to mean CT procedures conducted as part of a noninvasive examination during which a medical personnel  12  (e.g. a physician, nurse, technician, and the like) administering or otherwise involved with a CT procedure is likely to be outside of the area in which the CT procedure is conducted (i.e., the CT area). The term “CT fluoroscopy procedure”, as used herein, is intended to mean CT procedures conducted as part of an invasive surgical procedure during which the medical personnel  12  is likely to remain in the CT area and substantially near the CT machine during the CT procedure.  
         [0035]     CT machine  20  includes a housing  22  having a front side  23  and a back side  315 . Housing  22  encloses a support structure, commonly referred to as gantry  24 , that is configured to support at least one x-ray emitter  26  and at least one x-ray detector  28 . Gantry  24  may support the x-ray emitter  26  and the x-ray detector  28  in a manner sufficient to allow for the orbital rotation of x-ray emitter  26  and x-ray detector  28  around patient  10 . The gantry  24  defines an opening  30  in which at least a portion of patient  10  is inserted during the CT procedure. In its most common form, opening  30  is a generally circular opening. The illustration of opening  30  as a circular opening is not intended to limit the applicability of the present invention to CT machines having circular openings. As can be appreciated, the present invention is equally applicable with alternative CT machines having openings configured in any of a variety of shapes.  
         [0036]     CT machine  20  further includes a patient table  38  configured to support the body of patient  10 . Patient table  38  is generally positioned perpendicular to the front side  23  of housing  22  and may be movable in the vertical and horizontal directions relative to opening  30  as well as transversely. As can be appreciated, for alternative CT machines, patient table  38  may remain stationary and housing  22  may move relative to patient table  38 .  
         [0037]     To obtain an image, patient  10  is placed on patient table  38  and moved into opening  30  wherein patient  10  is positioned between x-ray emitter  26  and x-ray detector  28 . A primary beam of x-ray radiation emanating from x-ray emitter  26  passes through patient  10  before being captured by x-ray detector  28 . The x-ray radiation beam emanating from x-ray emitter  26  and passing through patient  10  is referred to herein as entrance radiation. During CT fluoroscopy procedures, wherein medical personnel  12  is standing near patient  10  and CT machine  20 , medical personnel  12  may be inadvertently exposed to entrance radiation and radiation leakage from CT machine  20 .  
         [0038]     In addition to entrance radiation and radiation leakage, CT procedures are likely to generate scatter radiation. Scatter radiation refers to radiation emanating from x-ray emitter  26  that reflects off of and through an object such as patient  10 , CT machine  20 , the floor in CT area, etc. and scatters throughout the CT area. During a typical CT scanning procedure, the only person likely to be exposed to scatter radiation is patient  10 . However, during CT fluoroscopy procedures, or any other CT scanning procedure in which medical personnel  12  remain in the CT area, medical personnel  12  may also be exposed to scatter radiation. As explained above, exposure to radiation may create a health risk and should be reduced whenever practicably possible.  
         [0039]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a radiation attenuation system  100  configured to minimize radiation exposure during a CT procedure is shown. Radiation attenuation system  100  includes a first radiation attenuation system  200  that is intended to assist in the protection of patient  10  from unnecessary exposure to radiation during a CT procedure and a second radiation attenuation system  300  that is intended to assist primarily in the protection of medical personnel  12  from exposure to radiation during a CT procedure. According to an exemplary embodiment, radiation attenuation system  100  may further include a third radiation attenuation system  400  that is intended to reduce radiation exposure to at least one of a patient and the medial personnel during a CT procedure. First radiation attenuation system  200 , second radiation system  300 , and third radiation system  400  include at least one radiation barrier article for reducing radiation exposure. Depending on the CT procedure being performed, first radiation attenuation system  200 , second radiation attenuation system  300 , and third radiation system  400  may be used in any of a variety of combinations, or alternatively may be used separately as individual radiation attenuation systems.  
         [0040]     During a CT procedure, patient  10  must be exposed to x-ray radiation (i.e. entrance radiation) in order for cross-sectional images of the patient&#39;s body to be obtained. CT procedures are often focused on a specific portion of the patient&#39;s body (i.e. the target area). While the target area must be exposed to entrance radiation, the surrounding portions of the patient&#39;s body (i.e. secondary areas) do not have to be exposed. Radiation attenuation system  200  is intended to minimize a patient&#39;s exposure to entrance radiation, radiation leakage and scatter radiation present during a CT procedure by shielding the secondary areas.  
         [0041]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , radiation attenuation system  200  includes a radiation attenuation wrap, shield, cloth, or garment  210 . Garment  210  may be useful in blocking or attenuating radiation, and assisting in the protection of patient  10 . Garment  210  may be made of any radiation attenuation material and preferably is made of a light-weight and flexible radiation attenuation material. Preferably garment  210  is made of a radiation attenuation material that provides a relatively high degree of comfort to the patient. Garment  210  may used to cover the portions of patient  10  during a CT procedure that are not going to be examined.  
         [0042]     Garment  210  preferably includes a body cover portion  212  and a head cover (e.g. hood, hat, helmet, etc.) portion  214 . Body cover portion  212  is not limited covering a patient&#39;s torso and may be configured to include leg cover portions, foot cover portions, arm cover portions, and hand cover portions. Preferably, garment  210  wraps around (e.g. underneath) patient  10  and does not simply drape over the top of patient  10 . Head cover portion  214  is intended to protect a patient&#39;s head from radiation exposure, and may include portions covering a patient&#39;s face, forehead and neck. As can be appreciated, the configuration of garment  210  may vary depending on the application and portion of the patient&#39;s body that is to be scanned. For example, it would be anticipated that garment  210  would be configured differently for scanning of the chest as compared to the abdomen or an extremity. Garment  210  may be made in range of sizes to fit adult or adolescent patients as well as infants.  
         [0043]     Garment  210  may include a fenestration area  216  for providing access to the target area (i.e. the portion of the patient&#39;s body to be scanned) through an aperture (shown as an rectangular strip  218 ). Fenestration area  216  further provides an opening for allowing medical personnel  12  to access patient  10  for conducting various invasive procedures, such as the fluoroscopic guidance and/or manipulation of instruments during surgical procedures. According to a preferred embodiment, fenestration area  216  may be selectively sealed or opened by coupling a fastener  220  to garment  210  near fenestration area  216 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, a hook and loop fastener is coupled to garment  210  and allows fenestration area  216  to be selectively sealed or opened depending on the CT procedure being conducted.  
         [0044]     According to a particularly preferred embodiment, garment  210  is configured as a combination of a skirt, a vest, and a helmet. Such a configuration may be particularly suitable for procedures wherein the target area is the patient&#39;s abdomen or chest area. During a procedure of a patient&#39;s abdomen or chest, medical personnel can access the target area by moving a portion of the vest upwards to expose the desired area. However, the garment  210  is not limited to such a configuration, and such a garment could be used for procedures wherein the target area is not the patient&#39;s abdomen or chest.  
         [0045]     While garment  210  is shown as an attenuation system that may be useful during CT procedures to protect a patient from radiation exposure, garment  210  is equally applicable with any procedure that emits ionizing radiation such as, but not limited to, intraoperative use of radiation equipment and implanting radiation therapy devices into patients that emit radiation.  
         [0046]     As stated above, physicians, nurses, technicians, and other health care employees (collectively referred to as medical personnel) present during a CT procedure may be exposed radiation. Medical personnel present for numerous CT procedures may be exposed to significant cumulative radiation doses over time. Radiation attenuation system  300  is intended to reduce radiation exposure to medical personnel  12  present in the CT area during a CT procedure. Radiation attenuation system  300  may be particularly applicable with CT fluoroscopy procedures wherein medical personnel  12  is likely to be near the primary beam of x-ray radiation emanating from the CT machine or at least in an area susceptible to secondary scattered radiation or radiation leakage.  
         [0047]     Radiation attenuation system  300  includes at least one radiation barrier article coupled substantially near or to CT machine  20  configured to reduce radiation exposure to medical personnel  12 . For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate member being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.  
         [0048]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , radiation attenuation system  300  may include a first radiation panel, shield, or pad  320  that may be useful in blocking or attenuating radiation, and assisting in the protection of medical personnel  12 . Pad  320  is made of a radiation attenuation material and is positioned between CT machine  20  and medical personnel  12 . Pad  320  may be coupled near or to the CT machine  20 . Preferably, pad  320  is substantially rectangular shape having an outer edge that includes a top edge  322  and an opposite bottom edge  324 .  
         [0049]     Pad  320  may be coupled near or to CT machine in any position that may protect medical personnel  12  and/or patient  10  from unintentional radiation exposure. According to an exemplary embodiment, pad  320  is coupled to the side of patient table  38 . Pad  320  is coupled near the top surface of patient table  38  and hangs, extends, or drapes over the side of patient table  38  so that bottom edge  324  is near the floor of the CT area. Depending on the size of pad  320  and patient table  38 , multiple pads  320  may be coupled to patient table  38  in order to provide sufficient protection for medical personnel  12 . According to a second exemplary embodiment, pad  320  is coupled to the front side  23  of CT machine  20 . Pad  320  is coupled near gantry  24  substantially tangential to the bottom of opening  30  and extends downward so that bottom edge  324  is near the floor. Bottom edge  324  may be weighted in order to urge bottom edge  324  in the direction of the floor and help maintain pad  320  in a protective position. As can be appreciated, pad  320  is suitable for use anywhere in the CT area so long as pad  320  is between CT machine  20  and medical personnel  12 .  
         [0050]     According to a preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 5 , pad  320  is a flexible member sized to span across both the areas covered by the first and second exemplary embodiments described above. For such an embodiment, pad  320  may be described as having two portions, a first panel  328  that is integrally formed with a second panel  330 . First panel  328  is coupled to the front side  23  of CT machine  20  near gantry  24  and second panel  330  is coupled to a side portion of patient table  38  that is near opening  30 . Pad  320  is positioned between CT machine  20  and medical personnel  12 . First panel  328  and second panel  330  conform to the contour of CT machine  20  and are substantially perpendicular to each other. As previously stated, bottom edge  324  may be weighted. Such a configuration is intended to reduce the amount of radiation exposure experienced by medical personnel  12  while enabling medical personnel  12  to remain substantially close to opening  30  and patient  10 .  
         [0051]     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , to couple pad  320  to CT machine  20 , pad  320  may include a fastener  326 . According to a preferred embodiment, fastener  26  allows for the detachable coupling of pad  320  to CT machine  20 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, pad  320  includes a hook and loop fastener coupled to the outer edge of pad  320  for allowing the detachable coupling of pad  320  to CT machine  20 . As shown in FIGURES, fastener  26  is coupled to top edge  322 . In alternative embodiments, fastener  26  may be coupled anywhere along the outer edge of pad  320 , or anywhere else along pad  320 . As can be appreciated, a number of suitable fasteners may provide the detachable coupling of pad  320  to CT machine  20  in addition to hook and loop fasteners such as, snaps, grommets, adhesives, zippers, etc.  
         [0052]     Preferably, pad  320  is coupled to CT machine  20  and patient table  38  on both sides of patient table  38  as shown in  FIG. 2 . If pad  320  includes a detachable fastener  26 , a single pad  320  can be utilized by selectively positioning pad  320  along CT machine  20  and patient table  38  to protect medical personnel  12 . As can be appreciated, pad  320  may be dimensioned and shaped in any of a variety of ways depending on the application. For example, pad  320  may be configured in any of a variety of shapes such as a pad having a curvilinear portion to more readily conform to a CT machine.  
         [0053]     Referring to  FIG. 6 , radiation attenuation system  300  may also include a second radiation barrier article, shown as radiation curtain, shield, or drape  340 . Drape  340  may be useful in blocking or attenuating radiation, and assisting in the protection of medical personnel  12 . Drape  340  is intended to be positioned between CT machine  20  and medical personnel  12 . Drape  340  is coupled near gantry  24  of CT machine  20  and substantially covers opening  30 . Drape  340  may be made of any attenuation material and is intended to reduce the amount of entrance radiation, radiation leakage and scatter radiation that medical personnel  12  or patient  10  may be exposed to during a CT procedure. In its most preferred form, drape  340  is a made of a flexible attenuation material having an outer edge that includes a bottom edge  344  that hangs downward from a top edge. Preferably, bottom edge  344  drapes around patient  12  and conform to the patient&#39;s body and patient table  38 . Similar to pad  320 , drape  340  may include a fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, along the outer edge and may further be weighted along bottom edge  344  to maintain a desired position.  
         [0054]     According to an exemplary embodiment, drape  340  is a solid shield or member covering opening  30  (shown in  FIG. 7   a ). Configuring drape  340  as a solid member may be particularly useful during CT scanning procedures during which medical personnel  12  do not need access to the portion of the patient&#39;s body being scanned. Drape  340  may include a viewing panel (shown as a window  346  in  FIG. 7   b ) that is relatively clear or translucent for the viewing of patient  12  within CT machine  20 . Window  346  may be of a variety of shapes and sizes, which may be dictated at least in part by the particular application.  
         [0055]     To accommodate CT procedures during which it would be desirable for medical personnel  12  to access the portion of the patient&#39;s body being scanned, drape  340  may include a fenestration area  342  for providing access to the portion of the patient that is within CT machine  20  during the CT procedure. Fenestration area  342  may be an aperture (shown as a rectangular opening in  FIG. 7   c ) that allows medical personnel  12  to insert medical instrumentation when conducting various invasive procedures, such as the fluoroscopic guidance and/or surgical procedures. According to a preferred embodiment, shown in  FIG. 7   d , drape  340  may be configured as a plurality of flaps  348  which do not substantially restrict medical personnel  12  from accessing patient  10 . According to an alternative exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 7   e , drape  340  is a solid member having a slit or cut extending from the bottom edge in a substantially vertical direction to define flaps  348  thereby providing access to patient  10 . According to a particularly preferred embodiment, drape  340  is a solid barrier having a plurality of slits formed in a substantially vertical direction to define flaps  348  (shown in  FIG. 7   f ). The use of flaps  348  in combination with drape  340  is intended to reduce the radiation exposure experienced by medical personnel  12  without substantially restricting access to patient  10 .  
         [0056]     As shown in  FIGS. 7   a - 7   f , drape  340  is a generally rectangular shield that is disposed across opening  30 . As can be appreciated, drape  340  may be dimensioned and shaped in any of a variety of ways depending on the CT machine and the application. For example, drape  340  may be configured in any of a variety of shapes such as a shield having a curvilinear portion to more readily conform to a CT machine (shown in  FIG. 7   g ). Alternatively, drape  340  may be configured as having a circular shape (shown in  FIG. 7   h ).  
         [0057]     According to a preferred embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , radiation attenuation system  300  includes the use of both pad  320  and drape  340  to assist in the protection of patient  10  and medical personnel  12 . The combination of pad  320  and drape  340  may increase the level of protection relative to the use of any one of the articles alone. The radiation barrier articles of radiation attenuation system  300  (i.e. pad  320  and drape  340 ) may be selectively positionable to allow medical personnel  12  to move an article out of the way if the article is not needed.  
         [0058]      FIGS. 8 through 13  illustrate an attenuation system  400  configured to attenuate radiation emanating through housing  22  of CT machine  20  during a CT procedure. As detailed above, during a CT procedure, radiation is applied to patient  10  by x-ray emitter  26  which is supported by gantry  24 . During the procedure, it is possible for a percentage of radiation being applied by x-ray emitter  26  to inadvertently pass through housing  22  rather than being applied solely to patient  10 . Accordingly, attenuation system  400  is intended to protect patient  10  and/or medical personnel  12  from being undesirably exposed to radiation emanating through housing  22  and into the CT area.  
         [0059]     As can be appreciated, the characteristics of CT machine  20  and housing  22  (e.g., shape, number of components, material, wall thickness, size, etc.) may vary depending on a number of factors including factors relating to the function of CT machine  20 , materials used to build CT machine  20 , and/or the aesthetics of CT machine  20 . It should be clearly understood that attenuation system  400  is suitable for use with any CT machine having a housing through which radiation (e.g., primary beam, scatter, etc.) may undesirably emanate from during a CT procedure. Attenuation system  400  can also be used with other types of radiation systems, such as diagnostic x-ray equipment.  
         [0060]     Housing  22  is shown as being a generally continuous member (e.g., panel, partition, support, etc.), but according other suitable embodiments, may be configured as a plurality of members coupled together to define housing  22 . Housing  22  is defined by a substrate (e.g., body, etc.) having a first surface  23 , shown as being an outer surface (e.g., exposed surface, etc.), and a second surface  25 , shown as being an inner surface (e.g., concealed surface, etc.).  
         [0061]     Attenuation system  400  includes at least one radiation barrier (e.g., member, panel, liner, etc.), shown as radiation shield  410 . Radiation shield  410  may be provided as an inner, outer, or intermediate surface of housing  22 . According to one exemplary embodiment (shown in  FIG. 8 ), radiation shield  410  is shown as being supported adjacent to second surface  25  of housing  22 . According to another exemplary embodiment, radiation shield  410  is shown as being supported adjacent to first surface  23  of housing  22  (shown in  FIG. 9 ).  
         [0062]     Radiation shield  410  may cover substantially all of second surface  25  and/or first surface  23  of housing  22 , or alternatively, may be selectively provided in areas where radiation is likely to emanate housing  22  (e.g., near gantry  24 , etc.), as shown in  FIGS. 11 through 13 . The addition of radiation shield  410  to CT machine  20  reduces the amount of radiation emanating through housing  22  during a CT procedure. Reducing the amount of radiation emanating through housing  22  is intended to reduce the radiation exposure of patient  10  and/or medical personnel  12  present during the CT procedure.  
         [0063]     Radiation shield  410  may be supported relative to housing  22  in a variety of configurations. For example, radiation shield  410  may be coupled (directly or indirectly) to housing  22 . The coupling of radiation shield  410  to housing  22  may be accomplished using a variety of suitable techniques including, but not limited to, adhesives, mechanical fasteners (e.g., clips, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc.) any suitable welding process (e.g., ultrasonic welding, etc.), painting, embedding, spraying, etc. Any of the just mentioned coupling techniques may be used alone or in combination to couple radiation shield  410  to housing  22 . According to other suitable embodiments, radiation shield  410  may not be coupled to housing  22 , but instead may be supported by a supplemental member (e.g., a structural component of CT machine  20 , a portion of gantry  24 , etc.) and/or provided as a filler between x-ray emitter  26  and housing  22 .  
         [0064]      FIG. 10  shows attenuation system  400  according to another suitable embodiment. In such an embodiment, housing  22  includes multiple layers and radiation shield  410  is disposed (e.g., sandwiched, etc.) between (e.g., intermediate, etc.) the layers. According to another embodiment, radiation shield  410  is integrally formed with housing  22 . For example, housing  22  may be formed using a molding process in which the material used to form housing  22  is provided around radiation shield  410 . Radiation shield  410  may be provided as a sheet-like member or alternatively may be provided as relatively small particles that is dispersed within the material used to form housing  22 .  
         [0065]     Each of the barrier articles of radiation attenuation system  100 , including shield  410 , described above may be made of any radiation attenuation material including, but not limited to, bismuth, barium, lead, tungsten, antimony, copper, tin, aluminum, iron, iodine, cadmium, mercury, silver, nickel, zinc, thallium, tantalum, tellurium, and uranium. Anyone of the aforementioned attenuation materials alone or in a combination of two or more of the attenuation materials may provide the desired attenuation. According to various exemplary embodiments, the articles of radiation attenuation system  100  can be made of the attenuation material disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,674,087, U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,233, or U.S. Pat. No. 6,310,355 which are hereby incorporated by reference. However, the articles of radiation attenuation system  100  are not limited to such embodiments and may be made of any radiation attenuation material.  
         [0066]     The degree of radiation transmission attenuation factor by the radiation attenuation material may be varied depending upon the specific application. According to an exemplary embodiment, the radiation attenuation material will have a radiation transmission attenuation factor of a percent (%) greater than about 50%, suitably greater than about 90%, suitably greater than about 95% of a 90 kVp beam.  
         [0067]     Preferably, the radiation attenuation material is generally light and flexible, to maximize workability for processing, bending, folding, rolling, shipping, etc. The material may be formable (e.g. deformable) or compliant, and relatively “stretchable” (e.g. elastic). According to alternative embodiments, the material used may be generally rigid and inflexible, and/or substantially weighted.  
         [0068]     According to a preferred embodiment, the articles of radiation attenuation system  100  are generally disposable in whole or in part, thereby minimizing ancillary sources of contamination that may arise from multiple uses. According to another suitable embodiment, the articles of radiation attenuation system  100  are generally non-toxic, recyclable, and/or biodegradable. According to an alternative embodiment, the articles of radiation attenuation system may be reusable (e.g. for attenuation of radiation from atomic/nuclear disaster, clean up, rescue operations, etc.). According to a preferred embodiment, the articles of radiation attenuation system may be sterilized between uses to minimize the likelihood of bacteriological or virus contamination. Sterilization may be performed in any convenient manner, including gas sterilization and irradiation sterilization.  
         [0069]     The construction and arrangement of the articles of the radiation attenuation system as shown in the preferred and other exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, shield  410  may be configured in a variety of ways (e.g. depending on geometric requirements of housing  22 .) depending on the application. Further, shield  410  may be configured as screens or curtains that are coupled within CT machine  20 .  
         [0070]     Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clause is intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0