Shielding device and method

Abstract

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.

1 . A radiation shielding device, comprising:
 a radiation shield, comprising:
 a bottom portion including at least one notch configured to receive a tubular work piece installed on a patient; and 
   a base comprising:
 a substructure attachable to an object; and 
 a retainer structure attachable to the radiation shield, 
   wherein the retainer structure comprises 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.   
     
     
         2 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustable coupling permits movement of the shield with at least two degrees of freedom. 
     
     
         3 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the permitted movement of the shield includes circumduction movement. 
     
     
         4 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shield has a contoured shape providing a skewed reverse curve profile along its height. 
     
     
         5 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shield defines an outwardly projecting lip at the top of the shield and a broad arcuate midsection. 
     
     
         6 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 5 , wherein a radius of curvature of the lip of the shield is about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and the radius of curvature of the midsection is about 3 cm to about 10 cm. 
     
     
         7 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 4 , wherein the shield is contoured widthwise in a convex orientation relative to a front side of the shield. 
     
     
         8 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein an overall size of the shield is sufficient to cover an area where a healthcare worker would position his/her hands during a medical procedure. 
     
     
         9 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 8 , wherein the radiation shield has a density of about 1.5 g/cm 3  to about 2.5 g/cm 3 , has volume of about 50 cm 3  to about 100 cm 3 , and has a mass of about 100 g to about 200 g. 
     
     
         10 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 8 , wherein the radiation shield has a width greater than a height and a thickness. 
     
     
         11 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 8 , wherein the shield has a height of about 5 cm to about 25 cm and a maximum thickness of about 1 mm to about 5 mm. 
     
     
         12 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the radiation shield comprises a barium sulfate, and the radiation shield has a nominal density of about 1.5 g/cm 3  to about 2.5 g/cm 3 . 
     
     
         13 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the shield comprises a plastic material infused with barium sulfate. 
     
     
         14 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the shield comprises one or more sheets formed from a layer comprising barium sulfate. 
     
     
         15 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be coupled to a supporting object. 
     
     
         16 . The radiation shield device of  claim 15 , wherein the base comprises an adhesive layer for removably adhering the base to the supporting object. 
     
     
         17 . A radiation shielding device, comprising:
 a radiation shield, wherein the shield has a height of about 5 cm to about 25 cm and a maximum thickness of about 1 mm to about 5 mm, and a contoured shape providing a skewed reverse curve profile along its height; and   a base comprising:   a substructure attachable to an object; and   a retainer structure attachable to the radiation shield,   wherein the retainer structure comprises 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, and wherein the base comprises an adhesive layer for removably adhering the base to a supporting object.   
     
     
         18 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 17 , wherein the permitted movement of the shield includes circumduction movement. 
     
     
         19 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 18 , wherein the radiation shield defines an outwardly projecting lip at the top of the shield and a broad arcuate midsection, and wherein a radius of curvature of the lip of the shield is about 5 mm to about 10 mm, and the radius of curvature of the midsection is about 3 cm to about 10 cm. 
     
     
         20 . The radiation shielding device of  claim 19 , wherein the radiation shield has a width greater than a height and a thickness, and wherein the shield has a height of about 5 cm to about 25 cm and a maximum thickness of about 1 mm to about 5 mm.