WO2017176061A1 - Protective equipment for radiographic imaging - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides protective equipment for radiographic imaging, which can more effectively achieve radiation protection of the thyroid gland that is an organ highly susceptible to cancer, can further improve the quality of a diagnostic image, and can further shield the brain in the head and the eyeball parts from radiation in radiographic imaging for dental treatment. The protective equipment for radiographic imaging according to the present invention comprises: a front protection part for shielding the front region of the neck from the radiation so as to protect the thyroid gland; a rear protection part for shielding the rear region of the neck from the radiation so as to protect the thyroid gland, the rear protection part being disposed opposite to the front protection part; a support wear which is wearable on the body and supports the front protection part and the rear protection part such that the front protection part and the rear protection part are disposed in the front and rear regions of the neck; and a skin contact inducing part for enhancing close contact between the skin and at least one of the front protection part and the rear protection part, wherein a side section between the rear protection part and the front protection part is exposed to the radiation.

Description

Protective equipment for radiography

The present invention relates to a radiographic protection equipment, and more particularly, it is possible to protect the thyroid gland, which is a long-term organ with a high probability of cancer, from radiation, such as dental panoramic imaging or skull imaging, and to further protect the tissue from the head. For example, the present invention relates to a radiographic protective equipment that can implement radiation shielding for brain and eye areas.

In general, X-ray equipment is a device that detects radiation transmitted through a subject with a radiation detector and visualizes the inside of the subject. It is widely used for nondestructive inspection of civil structures.

Since the radiation has a detrimental effect on the human body, even if human tissues are exposed to a small amount of radiation, genes or cells may cause deformation, which may cause various cancers, and if genetic variation occurs, it is limited to one generation. It is important not to be exposed to excessive radiation or unnecessarily to radiation during radiography, since it can be passed on to the next generation.

Therefore, when performing radiography on human tissues for diagnostic purposes, it is necessary to wear radiation protective clothing or guards so that unnecessary areas other than tissues for which diagnostic information is required are not exposed to radiation. There is no separate protective equipment.

On the other hand, the purpose of the use of the radiographic apparatus, including the dental panorama (Dental Panorama) used in the dentistry, the anatomical variation of the bone that is changed along the size and appearance, vertical and horizontal axis of the jaw (jawbone) through various radiological examination In order to provide the operator (dentist) with information that may affect the pathological factors and procedures present in the jaw bone, and the imaging information provided by the radiography device is optimal for the patient. This information can be important throughout the development of the treatment plan and beyond, as well as information that can be used to guide and induce long-term success after the procedure.

Radiographic imaging is a method of obtaining images by irradiating X-rays to the anatomical structure of a region of interest. Examples of radiographic images used for dental treatment include alveolar bones and facial bones including teeth. Panoramic x-ray image (abbreviated as `` Panorama image ''), which transfers the Korean image into a planar image (2D), computerized tomography (CT) image taken more precisely in 3D, and Cephalometric images of the head taken from the front to the rear, from the front to the front, to the left or to the right are included.

Particularly, panoramic radiography, which is one of the extraoral radiography, is a radiographic imaging method that is mainly performed in dental hospitals. As the penetration rate of panoramic radiation equipment increases, the frequency of use increases significantly. It is the inspection method to occupy.

In the above-described radiographic imaging method, the thyroid gland located in the neck is a fragile organ that has a high possibility of developing cancer by radiation, so appropriate radiological protection is required. However, the use of protective equipment, that is, the wearing of protective clothing, requires radiographic imaging. Since there is a problem of forming artificial shades, particularly metal artifacts, in the diagnostic image, proper protection is not achieved at the time of radiographic imaging.

More specifically, in spite of the need to protect the thyroid gland from radiation, when a radiation shield member is installed around the neck for thyroid protection, the radiation shield member forms artificial artifacts in the panoramic image. Because of this, there is a restriction on the use of protective equipment.

Problems related to exposure to radiation during panoramic imaging and artificial shading of diagnostic images according to radiation shielding during radiography for medical treatment in the dental area will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2.

When the panoramic image is taken, the radiation tube passes through a tomography and slit collimator that continuously takes images while rotating while exposing radiation in the shape of a scalpel or cone in the posterior part of the patient. Two scanning principles of scanography, which scan an image, are applied to form an image.

FIG. 1A is a reference photograph illustrating a panoramic radiographic image taken in a normal photographing range, and it can be seen that the radiographic image has a photographing range including a cervical spine, an eyeball, a temporal bone, a upper / lower bone and a hyoid bone.

In addition, (a) of FIG. 1B shows the phantom in a state where a radiation shielding device or a device such as a radiation shield is not worn on a phantom for evaluation of image quality (Dental Head Phantom Model 76-606DX, CIRS Co., USA). In this case, it is possible to obtain a panoramic image captured in the normal shooting range, but the image shown in (a) of FIG. 1b is a state in which the thyroid gland is not shielded from radiation as shown in (b) of FIG. 1b. It was taken at, so you can see that the thyroid gland is not protected from radiation.

On the other hand, Figure 2 (a) is a panoramic image taken while the radiation shielding protection equipment of the comparative example is worn on the image quality phantom (P), Figure 2 (b) is a (a) image of Figure 2 As the front and rear images of the phantom (P) for evaluating the quality of the radiation shielding protective equipment of the comparative example provided, referring to them, it can be easily confirmed that the artificial shade seriously degrades the diagnostic value in the panoramic image.

The present invention protects the thyroid gland, which is vulnerable to radiation, from radiation, and minimizes the occurrence of artifacts such as artifacts in radiographic images in all radiographic imaging including panoramic imaging. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a radiographic protective equipment that can improve the quality of the system.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a radiographic protection equipment capable of performing additional radiological protection for tissues present in the head, such as brain and eyeball, together with radiological protection for the thyroid gland.

In order to achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present invention provides a radiographic protective equipment for protecting a body from radiation emitted from a radiographic apparatus, and more specifically, a radiation protective clothing.

Radiation protection equipment of one embodiment of the present invention; A front protective part for protecting the thyroid gland by shielding the front part of the neck from the radiation; A rear guard provided on the opposite side of the front guard to shield the rear of the neck from the radiation to protect the thyroid; A support wear that is wearable on the body and supports the front and rear protection parts such that the front and rear protection parts are disposed on the front and rear parts of the neck; And a skin contact inducing part for enhancing close contact between the front protective part and the rear protective part and the skin. The lateral section between the rear guard and the front guard is exposed to radiation.

The skin contact inducing unit; It may be configured to include an elastic band for elastically supporting at least one of the front protective portion and the rear protective portion to enable elastic expansion between the front protective portion and the rear protective portion.

The elastic band may connect the front protective part and the rear protective part. For example, one end of the elastic band may be connected to the front protective part, and the other end of the elastic band may be connected to the rear protective part.

At least one of the front protective part and the rear protective part may be detachably connected to the elastic band.

The radiographic protection equipment of one embodiment of the present invention may further include a rear support provided on the rear protection portion to support the rear protection portion to maintain contact between the front surface of the rear protection portion and the skin. have.

Another embodiment of the present invention is; A front protective part for protecting the thyroid gland by shielding the front part of the neck from the radiation; A rear guard provided on the opposite side of the front guard to shield the rear of the neck from the radiation to protect the thyroid; A support wear that is wearable on the body and supports the front and rear protection parts such that the front and rear protection parts are disposed on the front and rear parts of the neck; And a rear support provided on the rear protective part to support the rear protective part in order to maintain contact between the front surface of the rear protective part and the skin, and a side section between the rear protective part and the front protective part is Provides protective equipment for radiographic imaging exposed to radiation.

The rear support is; In order to prevent the rear protection portion from rolling over, the rear protection portion is supported.

The rear support is; In order to maintain the posture of the rear protection unit, it may be configured to include a plate-like structure formed integrally with the rear protection unit to maintain a predetermined angle with the rear protection unit.

The rear support is; The rear protective part may be elastically supported forward, and may have a material capable of shielding radiation.

Radiation protection equipment according to the present invention; A head protection unit wearable to the head may be further included to protect the head from radiation. The head protection unit may be capable of adjusting the radiation protection range.

The head protection unit is; A radiation visor having a laryngeal shield to protect the back of the head, and a radiation protection head cover wearable on the head, and movable to the head cover, to adjust a radiation protection range of the head protection unit. It may be configured to include.

The radiation visor; It is rotatably coupled to the head cover in the vertical direction to adjust the lower protection limit of the head protection unit.

The rear protection unit; On the basis of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 may be provided to face the rear of the front shielding portion, so as to protect the radiation within a range of within 6cm and 8cm to the left and right sides respectively.

More specifically, the rear protection unit; The left protective limit is the point at which the left vertical line passes the left outer ear in the vertical direction at least 3 cm rearward along the circumferential direction of the neck, and the right protective limit is the circumference of the neck at the right vertical line passing the right outer ear in the vertical direction. It is a point that is more than 3cm in the rear in the direction, the upper protection limit of the rear protection portion may be provided opposite to the rear of the front shielding portion to be less than four cervical vertebrae.

The action of the radiographic protection equipment according to the present invention is as follows.

First, the present invention is to provide a radioactive shielding part for the thyroid gland in close contact with the body in order to effectively realize the radiation shielding for the thyroid gland, which is a long-term cancer in the radiographic imaging, excessive artificial artificial It is possible to prevent or minimize the occurrence of shadows or disturbing images.

Second, according to the present invention, as well as effective protection of the thyroid gland as well as the brain and eye areas in the head, which are the main organs that are exposed to radiation during radiography, safety can be further increased from radiation during radiography. In addition, the feeling of rejection or burden on radiography can be reduced.

Third, the radiation protection equipment according to the present invention is very useful because it can be applied throughout the dental radiography, such as intraoral radiation, oral radiation, head standard imaging, computed tomography. That is, the protection equipment for radiographic imaging according to the present invention can be actively utilized for various radiographic images because it does not cause a problem in the imaging of the region of interest, cervical vertebrae and airways, as well as panorama shooting and head photographing.

Fourth, according to the present invention, since the area of the radiation shielding in the cervix is less than 180 degrees when imaging dental CT (CBCT, cone beam computed tomography), it is possible to minimize the deterioration of the image quality and to protect the appropriate thyroid You can get it.

Fifth, according to the present invention, it can be widely used for radiographic imaging of the maxillofacial region and the cervical region, in addition to panoramic imaging and dental CT imaging.

Sixth, according to the present invention, radiation protection for the brain and the eye area in the head is possible, and the radiation shielding range can be adjusted like a shade film, so that the radiation protection range can be effectively set in response to the diversity of individual body types or the radiographic purpose.

Therefore, the present invention becomes an essential radiation protection article during the overall radiographic examination, and thus, it is possible to provide accurate diagnostic images while effectively protecting the patient from the radiation hazard.

The features and advantages of the present invention may be better understood with reference to the following drawings in conjunction with the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention, of which:

1A is a reference picture illustrating a panoramic radiographic image normally photographed;

Figure 1b (a) is a phantom (phantom) for evaluating the image quality, is a panoramic image photographed without wearing a guard that can shield the radiation, Figure 1 (b) is a phantom of the image evaluation phantom Front and back photos;

FIG. 2A is a panoramic image photographed while the radiation shielding guard of the comparative example is worn on the phantom for image quality evaluation, and FIG. Front and back photos;

Figure 3 shows an embodiment of the radiographic protection equipment according to the present invention, a front schematic diagram for explaining a wearing state for thyroid protection;

4 is a rear schematic view of FIG. 3;

5 is a schematic side view of FIG. 3;

Figure 6 is an exploded view showing an embodiment of a radiographic protection equipment according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a reference picture showing a state wearing the protective equipment for thyroid protection in the phantom for setting the extension limits for the upper and lateral side of the spinous process of the cervical spine No. 7;

8 is a schematic side view for explaining the difference between the radiographic image according to the change in the position of the rear guard;

9 is a perspective view showing a rear protection unit and a rear support of the radiographic protection equipment shown in FIG. 6;

10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II of FIG. 9;

11A to 11E are reference photographs showing the relationship between the radiological protection range of the rear protective part based on the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 and the panoramic image;

12 is a schematic front view showing another embodiment of the radiographic protection equipment according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a rear schematic view of the protective equipment for radiographic imaging shown in FIG. 12;

14 is a schematic side view of the protective equipment for radiographic imaging shown in FIG. 12; And

15 is a side view showing a state in which the radiation visor of the radiographic protection equipment shown in FIG. 14 is lifted up;

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention, in which the object of the present invention can be specifically realized, are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present embodiment, the same name and the same reference numerals are used for the same configuration and additional description thereof will be omitted below.

Prior to the description of an embodiment of the present invention, a component for blocking (shielding) radiation in a radiographic protective equipment, for example, a component such as a front protective portion and a rear protective portion may be a material capable of blocking radiation such as lead (Pb). On the premise of having a radiation shielding material, the support wear for supporting the front protection portion and the rear protection portion may also include a radiation blocking material, and the components such as the front protection portion and the rear protection portion may be fabric or leather. Naturally, it can be coated by a synthetic resin or the like.

Example 1

First, an embodiment of the radiographic protection equipment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 10.

Figure 3 shows a radiographic protection equipment according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a front schematic diagram for explaining a wearing state for thyroid protection, Figure 4 is a rear schematic view of Figure 3, Figure 5 of Figure 3 6 is a schematic side view, and FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a radiographic protective equipment according to the present invention.

In addition, Figure 7 is a reference picture showing a state wearing the protective equipment for thyroid protection in the phantom to set the extension limit for the upper and side based on the spinous process of the cervical spine No. 7, Figure 8 is a radiation protection of the present invention A side schematic view showing a close contact with the skin for protecting the thyroid gland of the equipment compared with the conventional radiation protection equipment, Figures 9 and 10 are views showing the support structure of the rear guard.

11A to 11E are reference pictures showing the relationship between the radiological protection range based on the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 and the panoramic image.

3 to 10, the radiographic protection equipment according to the present embodiment (1, hereinafter abbreviated as 'protective equipment') shields the radiation at the rear and anterior part of the neck and the side section of the neck to the radiation On the basis of the exposed structure (the structure through which the radiation passes), there is a characteristic feature in that the radiation protection unit for protecting the thyroid gland in close contact with the skin.

That is, in this embodiment, the radiation shielding material blocking the rear portion of the neck portion is in close contact with the skin in order to protect the thyroid gland from radiation incident to the rear of the cervix, and the thyroid gland from the secondary irradiation by the scattering line of the radiation. In order to be protected, the radiation shielding material blocking the anterior part of the neck may also come into close contact with the skin, thereby minimizing the occurrence of artifacts in the radiographic image and further improving the quality of the diagnostic image. Can be.

To this end, the protective equipment 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the front protective portion 110 for shielding the front portion of the neck (Neck) from the radiation, and the support wear for supporting the front protective portion (Support) Wear; 120, at least one of a rear protection unit 130 provided in the support wear 120, the front protection unit 110 and the rear protection unit 130 to shield the rear portion of the neck portion from the radiation And it is configured to include a skin contact induction unit for enhancing the adhesion of the skin.

The rear protection unit 130 is provided on the opposite side of the front protection unit 110, the side section between the front protection unit 110 and the rear protection unit 130 is exposed to the radiation to pass the radiation.

In more detail, the rear protection unit 130 blocks the radiation in the rear region of the vertical line L, ie, the left vertical line and the right vertical line, which pass through the left outer and right outer holes in the vertical direction, respectively. Is provided. The side section between the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 may be made of a blank area or may be blocked by a material that can transmit radiation.

The skin contact inducing part may be a structure in which the front protective part 110 is in contact with the front of the neck or the rear protection part 130 is in contact with the rear of the neck. The elastic band 300 which elastically connects the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 to contact both the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 by the neck portion. It is configured to include, the elastic band 300 may be elastically extended between the front protective portion 110 and the rear protective portion 130.

Therefore, when the subject wears the protective equipment, the front protective part 110 may be in close contact with the front skin of the front part of the neck and the rear protective part 130 may be in close contact with the skin of the rear part of the neck. One of the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 may be detachably connected to the skin contact inducing part, that is, the elastic band 300, by a coupling device such as a velcro or a hook or a button. .

In the present embodiment, the side section between the front protection unit 110 and the rear protection unit 130 is blocked by the elastic band 300. Of course, the elastic band 300 in the present embodiment is a material capable of transmitting radiation. In other words, since the side section between the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 is a section exposed to radiation, the elastic band 300 connecting the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130. ) Is made of a material that transmits radiation.

One end of the elastic band 300 is connected to the front protective part 110, and the other end of the elastic band 300 is connected to the rear protective part 130. In other words, the left and right sides of the neck may be provided with an elastic band 300, respectively, but is not limited thereto. For example, the front protective part may be provided at the front and rear portions of the elastic band having a loop shape. 110 and the rear protection unit 130 may be fixed.

On the other hand, the protective equipment 1 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the above-described band 300, the skin contact induction part may further include a rear support 500 for supporting the rear protection unit 130. have. The rear support 500 is provided in the support wear 120 so as to maintain contact between the front of the rear protection unit 130 and the skin (back part of the neck) to support the rear protection unit 130. .

The radiographic protection equipment according to the present invention may include at least one of the skin contact inducing part and the rear support 500, and the present embodiment includes both the skin contact inducing part and the rear support 500.

In more detail, the rear supporter 500 may be fixed to the support wear 120 to prevent the rear guard 130 from being flipped over. For example, the rear support 500 may be embedded in the support wear 120, and the rear support 500 may be induced or maintained by inducing or maintaining the front inclination (or 'front inclination') of the rear protection unit 130. The portion 130 may have an ergonomic shape to make intimate contact with the skin.

The rear supporter 500 may include a material capable of shielding radiation. When the structure including the rear guard unit 130 and the rear supporter 500 is referred to as a rear frame, the front surface of the rear frame may have a neck portion. It has a curved shape in accordance with the curvature of the back.

For example, the rear support 500 is a plate-like structure, integrally formed with the rear protection unit 130 to maintain a constant posture of the rear protection unit 130. In other words, the rear support 500 is mounted on the upper portion of the back to maintain a predetermined angle with the rear protective part 130. In this case, the rear protection unit 130 may be embedded in the upper portion of the rear support 500, may be fixed to the upper portion of the rear support 500 in an external manner, integrally with the rear support 500. It may be molded.

As described above, when the rear protection unit 130 is in close contact with the back of the neck by the skin contact inducing unit 300 and / or the rear support 500, as shown in FIG. 8, the rear protection unit 130. The radiation protection range of the can be maintained stably, and the rear protection unit 130 is rolled back to approach the radiation source (for example, the position indicated by the existing position of FIG. 8) so that the shielding range is unstablely expanded (b −). -> Increase in artificial shading due to b ') can be prevented.

9 and 10, in one embodiment of the rear support 500, the rear protection unit 130 may be elastically supported forward. For example, the rear supporter 500 includes a base supporter 500a and an upper supporter 500b, and a radiation shielding material for forming the rear protection unit 130 on the upper supporter 500b includes an internal or external method. It may also be fixed. The upper supporter 500b is supported by the base supporter 500a.

When the upper supporter 500b is rotatably connected to the base supporter 500a to be supported by the elastic member 510, for example, a torsion spring, skin adhesion of the upper supporter 500b may be improved. .

For example, the torsion spring 510 is provided on the rotation shaft 520 forming the rotation center of the upper supporter 500b, and one end 511 of the torsion spring is supported by the base spotter 500a. When the other end 512 of the torsion spring is supported by the upper supporter 500b, the upper supporter 500b receives a restoring force to an initial position.

More specifically, the upper supporter 500b is connected to the back and the neck such that the initial angle formed by the upper supporter 500b and the base supporter 500a forms an obtuse angle larger than the connection curvature of the neck and the like, that is, the surface curvature. When the subject wears the protective equipment 1 when the subject is connected to the base supporter 500a inclined forward than the surface curvature of the site, the upper supporter 500b is pushed backward by the neck and reacted by the reaction. The upper supporter 500b is elastically supported forward, and as a result, the skin adhesion of the rear protective part 130 may be enhanced.

Of course, the upper supporter 500b and the base supporter 500a may be connected by leaf springs, and in the present embodiment, since the upper supporter 500b serves as a radiation shielding function, the upper supporter 500b is It may also be referred to as a rear guard 130. At this time, the upper supporter (500b) and the base supporter (500a) is a structure capable of maintaining the skeleton, the entire upper supporter (500b) is made of a radiation shielding material, as described above, the upper supporter itself is a rear protection portion ( 130). In the present exemplary embodiment, the rear protection unit 130 is fixed to the front surface of the upper supporter 500b, but is not limited thereto. For example, the rear protection unit may be built in the upper supporter.

More specifically, the base supporter 500a and the upper supporter 500b may be made of a material having a shape stability, such as metal or plastic, and the front inclination of the rear protection part 130 may be improved. It can be shaped into an ergonomic shape to fit the surface curvature of the back and neck to guide.

In the present embodiment, as a structure for strengthening the skin adhesion of the rear protection unit 130 has been described a structure in which the skin contact induction unit such as the elastic band 600 and the rear support 500 is installed together, as described above Of course, any one of the elastic band 300 and the rear support 500 may be applied to the protective equipment (1).

On the other hand, referring to Figure 4, the rear protection unit 130 of the protective equipment (1) according to the present embodiment, the left and right of each of the cervical spine of the cervical spine 7 within a maximum of 9cm, more specifically within 8cm It has a shielding range (W), and has a shielding range (H) up to 6 cm above the top of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 above.

In other words, the rear protection unit 130 shields up to 8 cm from the left and right sides of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 and up to 6 cm from the top of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7, but the patient's body Considering that the conditions (length, thickness, etc. of the neck) may be different, the shielding range of the rear portion of the neck, that is, the radiation protection range of the rear protection unit 130 may be expressed in different ways.

For example, in setting the left and right shielding range of the rear protection unit 130, to set the shielding range (radiation protection range) on the basis of the vertical line (L) passing vertically through the left and right outer perforations, respectively. An area of 2 cm, more preferably 3 cm, in the rear (the circumferential direction of the neck) relative to the vertical line may be the left / right maximum shielding limit for the rear part of the neck, and within this range, Left and right shielding ranges should be set. In other words, the left and right shielding ranges of the cervical posterior portion are determined in a range not exceeding an area of 3 cm rearward from the vertical line.

This is a configuration that shields the rear portion of the neck, that is, the left end and the right end of the rear protection unit 130, which will be described later, in front of the point 3cm, especially 2cm to the rear in the circumferential direction of the neck relative to the vertical line (L) This problem is taken into account because the occurrence of artificial shade in the panorama image is increased when the position is located at. For example, if the shielding range is invaded forward beyond the area of 2 cm from the vertical line, artificial shading is excessively generated during panoramic radiographic imaging.

Therefore, the left and right shields within 8 cm of the cervical spine of the cervical spine 7 respectively, but the left and right shielding range for the posterior part of the neck is set so as not to shield back to 3 cm from the vertical line passing through the outer ear. desirable.

Next, in the upward shielding range for the posterior portion of the neck, a shielding range (shielding height) may be set based on the cervical spine 4, more specifically, the rear guard 130 shields only up to 4 cervical vertebrae. The upward shielding range of the rear portion of the neck may be set as much as possible. This is because artificial shading is excessively generated in the panoramic image when shielded up to the cervical spine 4.

Therefore, the cervical spine of the cervical spine 7 should be shielded within 6 cm above the upper part of the cervical spine so that it is not shielded beyond the cervical spine to the area above the cervical spine (to be shielded only up to the height of the cervical spine below 4). The upward shielding range for the site is preferably set.

In summary, the rear protection unit 130 in the radiographic protection equipment 1 of the present invention, the rear portion of the supporter wear 120 to shield within 8 cm of each of the left and right sides of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 Is provided. When the left and right shielding ranges of the rear protective part 130 are expressed with respect to the outer ear, the distance from the vertical line passing through the right outer ear to the right end of the rear protective part is 3 cm or more, and the vertical line passing through the left outer ear. The width of the rear protection portion may be determined such that the distance to the left end of the rear protection portion is 3 cm or more.

Next, the height of the rear protection unit 130 may be configured to shield within 6cm to the top of the spinous process of the cervical spine No. 7. As another criterion, the height of the rear guard may be set to be less than the fourth cervical vertebra.

In this embodiment, the support wear 120 connects the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 and is worn on a human body to support the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130. It consists of covering the shoulder of the subject.

On the other hand, according to this embodiment, the front protection unit 110 is configured in the desired size according to the shape and size of the physical condition, for example, the front protection unit 110 is less than 7cm in width, the maximum height 10 cm or less, more specifically 7 cm or less, the size that can cover all the area immediately before the thyroid gland, the width and height of the thyroid gland may be the minimum width and height of the front protective portion (110).

In addition, the support wear 120 may be formed to extend below the neck to shield the lungs and the mediastinum to perform radiation protection, and the front of the support wear 120 for wearing and fixing the support wear 120. Detachable configuration such as Velcro 121 or snap button (snap button) can be applied.

The operation of the radiographic protection equipment 1 according to the present embodiment configured as described above is as follows.

The protective equipment 1 according to the present embodiment, while effectively protecting the thyroid gland from radiation when taking a panoramic image, closely adheres the front protective part 110 and the rear protective part 130 to the skin, thereby adversely affecting the panoramic image. This minimizes artificial shading.

In addition, the protective equipment 1 according to the present embodiment is widely used not only for panoramic photography but also for dental CT imaging, and other radiographs of the maxillofacial and cervical regions. It is possible to provide a diagnostic image.

Hereinafter, the derivation process of the shielding range for the thyroid gland of the radiographic protective equipment 1 of the form according to the present embodiment will be described.

First, the thyroid and head brace upwards in the spinous process of cervical vertebra, which is easy to palpate because it is located close to the skin at the posterior part of the patient where radiation is directly irradiated to the skin during panoramic radiographs. The upper boundary of the thyroid gland was set at 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, and 9 cm from the spinous process to define the extension limit.

Also, the vertical line (L; vertical line) passing through the center of the external auditory meatus, i.e., the ear canal, to set the extension limits (left limit and right limit) to the lateral side of the thyroid guard, in particular, the rear guard 130. We defined the extension range of 1cm, 2cm, 3cm, and 4cm (distance from spinous process of 9cm, 8cm, 7cm, and 6cm, respectively) at the rear and examined the appearance of artificial shade in the panoramic image.

In other words, based on the spinous process of the cervical spine 7, the relationship between the extended range and the panoramic image of the radiographic protection equipment 1 for protecting the thyroid gland (P, Dental Head Phantom Model 76-606DX, CIRS) Co., USA), the upper limit (upper limit) and the lateral extension limit (left and right limits) based on the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 were set.

Hereinafter, the relationship between the upper and the lateral extension range and the panoramic image of the radiographic protective equipment 1 for thyroid protection through various experimental examples will be described first, and then the shape and the thyroid region of the radiological protective equipment for thyroid protection Examine the relationship with the radiation dose on the skin surface.

1. The relationship between the extended range and the panoramic image of the radiological protection equipment for thyroid protection

Experimental Example 1

Referring to FIG. 11A, the extension range of the phantom P upwards to 9 cm based on the position of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 and the extension range toward the lateral side is the outer ear (vertical line L). , The same as below) 1cm posterior (ie 9cm at the spinous process of the cervical spine 7), the left side 1cm (ie 11cm at the spinous process of the cervical spine 7) ahead of the ear canal, the degree of shadowing As shown in Figure 9a.

On the left side of the panoramic image, the shielding of radiological protection equipment to protect the thyroid gland was observed, and the virtual image was observed on the right side of the image, which was confirmed to adversely affect the diagnosis image.

Experimental Example 2

Referring to FIG. 11B, the upper extension limit of the phantom P is 8 cm based on the spinous process position of the cervical spine 7, and the lateral extension limit is 2 cm behind the outer ear from the left and right sides of the phantom P (ie, the seventh time). As a result of photographing the panoramic image with 8 cm) at the spinous process of the cervical spine, the degree of shading of the panoramic image was as shown in FIG. 11B.

Experimental Example 3

Referring to FIG. 11C, the upper extension limit of the phantom P is 7 cm based on the position of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7, and the lateral extension limit is 3 cm behind the outer ear from the left and right sides of the phantom P. As a result of photographing the panoramic image at 7 cm) in the spinous process of the cervical spine, the degree of shading of the panoramic image was shown in FIG. 11C.

Experimental Example 4

Referring to FIG. 11D, the upper extension limit of the phantom P is 6 cm based on the position of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7, and the lateral extension limit is 2 cm behind the outer ear from the left and right sides of the phantom P (ie, the seventh time). As a result of photographing the panoramic image with 8 cm) at the spinous process of the cervical spine, the degree of shading of the panoramic image was shown in FIG. 11D.

Experimental Example 5

Referring to FIG. 11E, the upper extension limit of the phantom P is 6 cm based on the position of the spinous process of the cervical spine 7, and the lateral extension limit is 3 cm behind the outer ear from the left and right sides of the phantom P. As a result of photographing the panoramic image with 7 cm) at the spinous process of the cervical spine, the degree of shading of the panoramic image was shown in FIG. 11E.

Based on the results of the above experiments, the appearance of artificial shading in the panoramic radiographic images according to the shape of the thyroid guard was as follows.

In the case of the 7th cervical spine, 6cm was increased, artificial shading was formed in the lower mandible from the mandibular anterior tooth root area. Artificial shading was formed at the apical region.

In addition, when the lateral extension limit of the thyroid guard was set to 1 cm (9 cm in the spinous process of the cervical spine 7) with respect to the external ear, artificial shading by the virtual image appeared with the actual image. Especially, when the thyroid protector was set up to 3cm (8cm, 7cm at spinous process of cervical spine 7), no artificial shading was observed.

2. Radiation dose of skin surface of thyroid gland according to type of protective equipment for thyroid protection

Preliminary experiments were conducted to investigate the radiation dose of the skin surface at the thyroid gland according to the type of protective equipment for thyroid protection. As shown in Table 1 below, when the radiation protection equipment for thyroid protection was not worn, the thyroid surface exposure dose was 87.4mR, and it was protected up to 6cm above the spinous process of the cervical spine 7 and also based on the ear canal. The thyroid surface exposure dose was 80.7mR for the rearward protection to 3cm position, and the thyroid surface exposure dose was the lowest for 73.9mR protection for the 2cm rearward position in the ear canal.

Surface dosage of thyroid gland according to the type of radiation protection equipment for thyroid

Radiation protection range	7 height upward from the cervical spine
	6 cm	7 cm
3 cm behind the ear canal	80.7mR	73.9mR
2 cm behind the ear canal	76.4mR	73.3mR

According to the type of radiation protective equipment to protect the thyroid gland, the effect of reducing the exposed dose of the thyroid surface is 6 cm upward and 6 cm above the spinous process of the cervical spine, as shown in Table 2 below. In the case of protection to, it was found to be 7.7%. In the case of protection up to 7cm in the vertical direction and up to 2cm in the outer ear, the reduction effect according to the thyroid exposure was the highest at 16.1%.

Radiation protection range	7 height upward from the cervical spine
	6 cm	7 cm
3 cm behind the ear canal	7.7%	15.4%
2 cm behind the ear canal	12.6%	16.1%

The abatement effect is expressed by the abatement effect = (AB) / A * 100, where A is the dose when no radiation protection device is used for thyroid protection, and B is the radiation protection device for thyroid protection. The dosage depends on the form.

Based on the above results, the radiation protection equipment for protecting the thyroid gland that can be used during panorama shooting, the extension limit of the rear protection unit 130 is installed in the rear portion of the neck of the patient for the radiation shielding the spinous process of the seventh cervical spine. As a reference, in the case of a shape of up to 6 cm above and 8 cm on the side, the generation of artificial shade that adversely affects the panoramic image is minimal and the radiation protection effect to the thyroid gland is optimal.

In addition, in front of the human body, the front protection unit 110, which serves as a shield for the thyroid cartilage (below thyroid cartilage), which is the outside of the skin where the thyroid is present, is positioned so that secondary scattering lines (indirect radiation) generated during panoramic photography are located. And thyroid from direct radiation.

As described above, the protective equipment according to the present embodiment shields the radiation up to 6 cm and 8 cm laterally based on the spinous process of the seventh cervical spine at the rear of the neck at the time of panorama photography, and the thyroid gland in front of the neck. It shields the radiation against the thyroid cartilage (below the thyroid cartilage), which is the outer side of the existing skin, and more specifically, the skin adhesion of the front protective part and the rear protective part is improved. More effective.

Example 2

Hereinafter, another embodiment (second embodiment) of the radiographic protection equipment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 15.

12 to 15, the radiographic protection equipment according to the present embodiment includes a thyroid protective unit and a head protection unit, the thyroid protective unit is the same as the above-described embodiment (first embodiment) Can be applied.

That is, the protective equipment according to the present embodiment further includes the head protection unit 700 in addition to the protective equipment 1 described in the above-described embodiment, that is, the thyroid protective unit. The head protection unit 700 may be worn on the head or head to protect tissues, such as the brain and eyeball, from radiation, more specifically, the tissues present in the head, and may be worn independently of the thyroid protection unit 1. This is possible.

Therefore, while the thyroid gland is protected, the present embodiment enables radiological protection for a part included in the irradiation range, for example, the brain and the eye area, without being an object of image reading during radiography.

The head protection unit 700 is formed to cover at least a portion of the head, and comprises a laryngeal shield for radiation protection of the back of the head. For example, the laryngeal shield may protect at least a portion of the parietal lobe and may further be sized to protect the occipital and / or temporal lobes.

The head protection unit 700 according to the present embodiment has a structure capable of adjusting the radiation protection range, and has a laryngeal shield as described above and is wearable on the head, for example, a head cover 710 of a hat structure, and the head cover ( 710 is provided to be movable and comprises a radiation visor (Visor) (720) for adjusting the radiation protection range of the head protection unit 700.

In the present embodiment, the head cover 710 exposes the upper and left and right sides of the frontal lobe to the radiation, and is worn on the subject's head by the head band 900, but is not limited thereto, and the head cover 710 is the outside of the frontal lobe. It can also cover the front and back of the scalp as long as it does not disturb the image, so as to shield the radiation.

The radiation visor 720 is configured to block the radiation, in the present embodiment, the radiation visor 720 is rotatably coupled to the head cover 710 in the vertical direction, the lower side of the head protection unit 700 Adjust protection limits. That is, an area between the lower protection limit of the head cover 710 and the upper protection limit of the rear protection unit 130 may be further blocked.

In this embodiment, the radiation visor 720 is hinged to both sides of the head cover 710 to implement additional radiation protection in addition to the radiation protection of the head cover 710, but is not limited to the head cover It may be provided to slide along the 710. The head band 900 may be formed of an elastic band. The radiation visor 720 may protect the occipital lobe, the temporal lobe, and the eye from radiation incident from the back of the head.

On the other hand, the rear support 500 may further include a shoulder seating portion (500c) to reinforce the position maintenance of the rear support (500). The shoulder seating portion 500c is a curved shape extending downwardly toward the chest from the base supporter 500a so as to be placed on both shoulders, and reinforces the supporting force for the rear protective part 130.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, effective protection of the thyroid gland as well as proper protection of the brain and the eye area in the head can be achieved at the time of radiography, thereby further increasing the safety of the patient from radiation hazards during radiography. can do.

In particular, since the head protection unit 700 according to the present embodiment can increase or decrease the radiation shielding range at the back of the head, the head in the range that does not adversely affect the resulting image in consideration of the head size and radiographic conditions of the patient Can protect the tissues within.

For example, the head protection unit according to the present embodiment when the radiation source radiates the radiation upwards while the radiation source is inclined at a predetermined angle, for example, about 5 degrees or more upward from the X-ray tube during the diagnosis of the panoramic radiation. 700 may perform brain protection by the head cover, that is, the occipital shield, and eye protection by the radiation visor 720.

As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been described, and the fact that the present invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or scope thereof in addition to the embodiments described above can be realized by those skilled in the art. It is self-evident to. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and thus, the invention is not limited to the above description and may be modified within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

The present invention relates to a protective equipment (radiation protective clothing) for protecting the body during X-ray imaging in more detail, and can be used for medical radiation protective clothing technology and radiographic imaging.

Claims (16)

1. As a radiographic protection equipment for protecting the body from radiation emitted from the radiographic apparatus;

   A front protective part for protecting the thyroid gland by shielding the front part of the neck from the radiation;

   A rear guard provided on the opposite side of the front guard to shield the rear of the neck from the radiation to protect the thyroid;

   A support wear that is wearable on the body and supports the front and rear protection parts such that the front and rear protection parts are disposed on the front and rear parts of the neck; And

   And a skin contact inducing part for enhancing adhesion between at least one of the front protective part and the rear protective part and the skin;

   The side section between the rear protective portion and the front protective portion is radiological protection equipment, characterized in that exposed to radiation.
2. The method of claim 1,

   The skin contact inducing unit;

   And a resilient band for elastically supporting at least one of the front and rear guards to enable elastic expansion between the front and rear guards.
3. The method of claim 2,

   One end of the elastic band is connected to the front protective portion, the other end of the elastic band is protective equipment for radiographic imaging, characterized in that connected to the rear protective portion.
4. The method of claim 2 or 3,

   At least one of the front protective portion and the rear protective portion, the radiographic protection equipment, characterized in that detachably connected to the elastic band.
5. The method of claim 2,

   In order to maintain contact between the front of the rear protection unit and the skin, the radiographic protection equipment further comprises a rear support provided on the rear protection unit for supporting the rear protection unit.
6. As a radiographic protection equipment for protecting the body from radiation emitted from the radiographic apparatus;

   A front protective part for protecting the thyroid gland by shielding the front part of the neck from the radiation;

   A rear guard provided on the opposite side of the front guard to shield the rear of the neck from the radiation to protect the thyroid;

   A support wear that is wearable on the body and supports the front and rear protection parts such that the front and rear protection parts are disposed on the front and rear parts of the neck; And

   A rear support provided on the rear protective part to support the rear protective part so as to maintain contact between the front surface of the rear protective part and the skin;

   The side section between the rear protective portion and the front protective portion is radiological protection equipment, characterized in that exposed to radiation.
7. The method according to claim 5 or 6,

   The rear support is;

   Radiation protection equipment for supporting the rear protection unit, in order to prevent the rear protection unit from flipping.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein

   The rear support is;

   In order to maintain the posture of the rear protection unit, the radiation protection equipment for a radiographic imaging, characterized in that it is formed integrally with the rear protection unit and comprises a plate-type structure that maintains a predetermined angle with the rear protection unit.
9. The method according to claim 5 or 6,

   The rear support is;

   Radiation protection equipment, characterized in that the support for the rear elastically forward.
10. The method according to claim 5 or 6,

    The rear support is; Radiation shielding equipment characterized in that the radiation shielding is possible.
11. The method according to claim 1 or 6,

    And a head protection unit wearable on the head to protect the head from radiation.
12. The method of claim 11,

    The head protection unit, the radiological protection equipment, characterized in that the adjustable radiation protection range.
13. The method of claim 12,

    The head protection unit is;

    Radiation protection head cover having a laryngeal shield to protect the back of the head, wearable to the head, and

    The head cover is provided to be movable, the radiation protection equipment for radiographic imaging, characterized in that it comprises a radiation visor (Visor) for adjusting the radiation protection range of the head protection unit.
14. The method of claim 13,

    The radiation visor; Radiation protection equipment characterized in that the rotatably coupled to the head cover in the vertical direction, so as to adjust the lower protection limit of the head protection unit.
15. The method according to claim 1 or 6,

    The rear protection unit;

    Radiation protection equipment provided on the rear side of the front shield so that the radiation protection within the range of within 6cm and 8cm to the left and right, respectively, relative to the spinous process of the cervical spine 7.
16. The method according to claim 1 or 6,

    The rear protection unit;

    The left protective limit is the point at which the left vertical line passes the left outer ear in the vertical direction at least 3 cm rearward along the circumferential direction of the neck, and the right protective limit is the circumference of the neck at the right vertical line passing the right outer ear in the vertical direction. It is a point that is more than 3cm in the rear in the direction, the upper protection limit of the rear protection unit is provided with a radiographic equipment characterized in that it is provided opposite to the rear of the front shielding portion to be less than 4 cervical spine.

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