WO2020247055A2 - Matériaux et procédés de protection contre les rayonnements - Google Patents

Matériaux et procédés de protection contre les rayonnements Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2020247055A2
WO2020247055A2 PCT/US2020/026453 US2020026453W WO2020247055A2 WO 2020247055 A2 WO2020247055 A2 WO 2020247055A2 US 2020026453 W US2020026453 W US 2020026453W WO 2020247055 A2 WO2020247055 A2 WO 2020247055A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
fabric
radiation
subject
structures
wearable
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2020/026453
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2020247055A3 (fr
Inventor
Sha X. Chang
Original Assignee
The University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by The University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill filed Critical The University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill
Publication of WO2020247055A2 publication Critical patent/WO2020247055A2/fr
Publication of WO2020247055A3 publication Critical patent/WO2020247055A3/fr

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F3/00—Shielding characterised by its physical form, e.g. granules, or shape of the material
    • G21F3/02—Clothing
    • G21F3/025—Clothing completely surrounding the wearer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F3/00—Shielding characterised by its physical form, e.g. granules, or shape of the material
    • G21F3/02—Clothing
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F1/00—Shielding characterised by the composition of the materials
    • G21F1/02—Selection of uniform shielding materials
    • G21F1/08—Metals; Alloys; Cermets, i.e. sintered mixtures of ceramics and metals
    • G21F1/085—Heavy metals or alloys
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21F—PROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F1/00—Shielding characterised by the composition of the materials
    • G21F1/12—Laminated shielding materials
    • G21F1/125—Laminated shielding materials comprising metals

Definitions

  • the subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to radiation protection equipment. More particularly, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to personal protective equipment for protection against radiation exposure.
  • Acute Radiation Syndrome can be caused by damage to human or animal tissue by a large dose of radiation, often received over a short period of time. This illness is also known as acute radiation sickness or poisoning. Depending on the amount and intensity of the radiation absorbed by the body, radiation sickness can be debilitating, if not fatal.
  • the absorbed dose of radiation is typically measured in grays (Gy) or Rads. A radiation dose of about 3 Gy can be fatal to a human body.
  • high energy radiation types such as, for example, high energy X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons can create high intensity radiation exposure. This exposure does not immediately lead to death, but death can occur days or even weeks later.
  • the radiation exposure can cause cellular degradation due to damage to DNA and other major molecular structures within the cells in various tissues.
  • the degradation and destruction of cells cause living tissues and organs to die because they are unable to regenerate and heal properly. This eventually leads to death if the cell and tissue damage is serious enough.
  • High energy radiation sources such as those that generate high energy X-rays, gamma rays, and neutrons can be found, for example, in war zones, chemical emergency situations, nuclear power plant emergency situations, in space, and other environments.
  • materials and methods for protecting against and minimizing radiation in humans and animals are desired.
  • Some industries refer to these types of materials as personal protection equipment (PPE).
  • PPE personal protection equipment
  • the current position of the United States Department of Health and Human Services Radiation Emergency Medical Management is that modern“PPE cannot protect against exposure from high energy, highly penetrating forms of ionizing radiation associated with most radiation emergencies.” This is because the required radiation shielding would be too heavy and rigid for a human or animal to wear and function.
  • a goal of the presently disclosed subject matter is to improve, at least in part, the high energy and high radiation exposure radiation protection in the various fields dealing with such exposure.
  • SFRT spatially fractionated radiotherapy
  • SFRT spatially fractionated radiotherapy
  • the common methods to generate SFRT radiation include commercially available GRID blocks or multi-level collimators on a linear accelerator, located downstream of the radiation source, to deliver a non-confluent, filter-like pattern of radiation to the subject in a nonuniform dose distribution.
  • MRT micro-beam radiation therapy
  • wearable fabric for shielding or protecting a subject from radiation comprising: at least some non-shielding portions or areas configured to allow radiation to pass through the fabric and shielding portions or areas configured to significantly attenuate radiation; and the fabric being flexible and configured for being worn by or at least partially cover a subject such that at least some portions of at least some living tissue of the subject is at least partially shielded from radiation and the living tissue of the subject is capable of facilitating effective tissue repair and regeneration from the radiation exposure.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the material comprise a plurality of structures.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the material comprise a plurality of structures.
  • the plurality of structures are spaced-apart to form gaps or spaces between the structures.
  • the plurality of structures comprise beads, rods, blocks, balls, discs, or any combination thereof.
  • the plurality of structures are part of a fabric layer or layers.
  • the plurality of structures are configured to absorb, block, deflect and/or reflect radiation.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the fabric comprise a plurality of structures.
  • the material comprises a layer or layers of material.
  • the plurality of structures are spaced-apart to form gaps or spaces between the structures.
  • the plurality of structures comprise beads, rods, blocks, balls, bars, strips, discs, or any combination thereof.
  • the plurality of structures are configured to spatially fractionate radiation.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the fabric are configured to significantly attenuate radiation.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the fabric are configured to shield or protect against high energy radiation, including high energy X-rays and gamma radiation.
  • a fabric for shielding or protecting a subject from radiation comprising: a plurality of structures that form gaps or spaces between at least some of the plurality of structures; the plurality of structures being configured to spatially fractionate radiation; wherein the gaps or spaces between at least some of the plurality of structures are configured to allow radiation to pass through the gaps or spaces; and the fabric being flexible and configured for being worn by or at least partially cover a subject such that at least some portions of at least some living tissue of the subject are at least partially shielded from radiation and the living tissue of the subject is capable of facilitating effective tissue repair and regeneration from the radiation exposure.
  • a method for shielding a subject from exposure to radiation comprising: providing a wearable fabric for shielding or protecting the subject from radiation, the wearable fabric comprising: a fabric comprising at least some non-shielding portions or areas configured to allow radiation to pass through the fabric and shielding portions or areas configured to at least partially absorb, reduce, block, deflect, and/or reflect radiation; and the fabric being flexible and configured for being worn by or at least partially cover a subject such that exposure of the subject to radiation shields or protects living tissue of the subject to allow the tissue to repair and recover from the radiation exposure; and at least partially shielding or protecting the subject from radiation exposure.
  • a method of making a fabric configured to allow a subject to survive a radiation exposure comprising: arranging a plurality of structures in a fabric, wherein the plurality of structures are spaced-apart and define gaps or spaces between the plurality of structures; wherein the plurality of structures of the fabric are shielding portions or areas configured to significantly attenuate radiation; and wherein the fabric is flexible and comprises at least some non-shielding portions or areas that are not configured to significantly attenuate radiation.
  • FIG. 1 A, FIG. 1 B, and FIG. 1 C each illustrate an internal view of a wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D, FIG. 2E, and FIG. 2F illustrate cross-sectional or internal perspective views of wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, and FIG. 3C illustrate cross-sectional views of wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure being bombarded with radiation from a radiation source;
  • FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate a human subject wearing a vest made of the wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a human subject wearing a vest made of the wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure being bombarded with radiation from a radiation source;
  • FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, and FIG. 6C illustrate a human subject wearing a tight-fitting suit made of the wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 7C illustrate a human subject wearing a chemical protective suit made of the wearable material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8A illustrates a testing environment, including a radiation chamber and a rodent subject equipped with a prototype of a material according to some embodiments of the present disclosure
  • FIG. 8B illustrates a chart indicating the level of radiation exposure of a rat across the shielding material
  • FIG. 8C illustrates charts indicating the survival rate of two groups of test rats that were exposed to high energy radiation, including one group with the protective material, and a second group without the protective material.
  • embodiments can comprise features as described herein or in the figures. Specific embodiments can, for example and without limitation, comprise the following example embodiments. Other embodiments are also envisioned and can be configured in accordance with the disclosure herein.
  • a wearable material for shielding or protecting a subject from radiation can comprise: at least some non-shielding portions or areas configured to allow radiation to pass through the material and shielding portions or areas configured to at least partially absorb, reduce, block, deflect and or reflect radiation; and the material being flexible and configured for being worn by or at least partially cover a subject such that exposure of the subject to radiation shields or protects living tissue of the subject to allow the tissue to repair and recover from the radiation exposure.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the material can comprise a plurality of structures.
  • the plurality of structures can be spaced-apart to form gaps or spaces between the structures.
  • the plurality of structures can comprise beads, rods, blocks or any combination thereof.
  • the plurality of structures can be part of a fabric layer or layers.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the material can be configured to significantly attenuate radiation.
  • the material can comprise a layer or layers of material.
  • the layer or layers can comprise a fabric material, a non-woven material, and or a laminate material.
  • the material can comprise a fabric that is woven, knitted or felted.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the material can be configured to shield or protect against high energy radiation including high energy x-rays and gamma radiation.
  • the material is configured to allow the subject to move while wearing the material.
  • the shielding portions or areas of the material can cover all of a subject or only cover a predetermined area(s) or portion(s) of the subject.
  • the predetermined area(s) or portion(s) of the subject can be organs or other vital areas or portions of the subject.
  • a material for shielding or protecting a subject from radiation can comprise: a plurality of structures that form gaps or spaces between at least some of the plurality of structures; the plurality of structures being configured to significantly attenuate radiation; wherein the gaps or spaces between at least some of the plurality of structures are configured to allow radiation to pass through the gaps or spaces; and the material being flexible and configured to at least partially cover a subject such that exposure of the subject to radiation shields or protects living tissue of the subject to allow the tissue to repair and recover from the radiation exposure.
  • a method for shielding a user from exposure to radiation can comprise: providing a wearable material for shielding or protecting a subject from radiation, the wearable material comprising: a material comprising at least some non-shielding portions or areas configured to allow radiation to pass through the material and shielding portions or areas configured to significantly attenuate radiation; and the material being flexible and configured for being worn by or at least partially cover a subject such that exposure of the subject to radiation shields or protects living tissue of the subject to allow the tissue to repair and recover from the radiation exposure; and shielding or protecting the user from radiation exposure.
  • the method can comprise using the any version of the material.
  • a method of making a material configured to allow a subject to survive a radiation exposure can comprise: arranging a plurality of structures in a material, wherein the plurality of structures are spaced-apart and define gaps or spaces between the plurality of structures; wherein the plurality of structures of the material are shielding portions or areas configured to at least partially absorb, reduce, block, deflect and or reflect radiation; and wherein the material is flexible and comprises at least some non-shielding portions or areas that are not configured to at least partially absorb, reduce, block, deflect and or reflect radiation.
  • PPE personal protective equipment
  • the fabric for minimizing radiation damage can be a wearable material, being wearable for humans and/or animals.
  • the material can be configured to be worn by soldiers, doctors, nuclear power plant operators, emergency responders, or any other suitable persons.
  • the material can be a vest, a full body suit, a partial body suit, a suit that covers most or all of the body, a blanket, a towel, a cloak, a jacket, pants, a shirt, body armor, a hat, medical blanket, rain jacket, radiation suit, and/or any other suitable material for wearing or placing around, against, over, or on a human or animal.
  • the material can have any suitable shape, size, flexibility, thickness, or weight.
  • the material can be a non-wearable material, such as, for example and without limitation, a tent, shield, or other structure to shield people or animals from exposure to radiation.
  • the material can be configured to be worn in combat, nuclear testing facilities, a clinic, a hospital, in outer space, or in any other suitable environment where a human or animal may be exposed to high energy radiation.
  • a material of the present disclosure can comprise a wearable material that partially or completely covers an animal or human body or certain portions thereof.
  • the wearable material can comprise devices, components, compounds, metals, alloys, or other suitable objects that are configured to at least partially absorb, reduce, block, deflect, and/or reflect radiation, including for example and without limitation, high intensity, or high energy radiation.
  • the material can comprise any or several of the fabrics and materials described above combined with heavy metals, devices, components, compounds, alloys or other suitable materials embedded within the material and configured to at least partially prevent some of the radiation from being absorbed by the animal or human wearing or otherwise being protected by the material.
  • heavy metals refers to metals with relatively high densities, atomic weights, or atomic numbers. Specifically, denser materials absorb more radiation and radioactive emissions than lighter, less dense materials. Thus, heavy metals, with their relatively high densities, are useful for radiation shielding like the materials described herein.
  • the heavy metals that can be used in the present disclosure includes tungsten, lead, palladium, gold, steel, or other suitable material for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • the material(s) of the present disclosure comprises metal rods embedded within parts of the material or fabric.
  • the material can be a suit, vest, jacket or other fabric that comprises a plurality of structures, such as metal bars or rods, that are embedded within some or all of the suit, vest, or jacket, wherein the metal rods are oriented and spaced apart with respect to one another to a sufficient degree, such that radiation can be at least partially absorbed, reduced, blocked, deflected and or reflected by the structures.
  • the material can comprise metal beads or balls embedded within parts of the material or fabric.
  • the material including the metal bars, rods, disks, and/or beads embedded in it, can be flexible enough such that someone or some animal wearing the material can easily move about in an agile manner.
  • the plurality of structures can be spaced apart from each other as noted above and can define gaps therebetween as described further herein that are not configured to absorb, reduce, block, deflect and or reflect radiation.
  • the heavy metal rods, bars, beads, disks, and/or balls can comprise tungsten, lead, palladium, gold, steel, or other suitable material for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing the radiation.
  • the material is configured to absorb, reduce, block, deflect, reflect, prevent, restrict and/or limit at least a partial amount of radiation from penetrating to the skin or underlying tissue.
  • a goal of the present disclosure is to balance maximizing the protection to the wearer or subject of the material while also maintaining the movability and agility of the wearer or subject.
  • a wearer, subject, protectee, or other human or animal wearing or being shielded or protected by any embodiment of the present disclosure will be referred to as a subject.
  • the word“material” can mean and include the underlying wearable item (i.e., suit, vest, coat, etc.) with or without protective heavy metals, or a wearable material with bars, rods, strips, beads, balls, disks or other suitable metal embedded within the material.
  • FIG. 1 A illustrates an amorphous shaped protective material 100 (shown here as rectangular, but it can be any shape) that comprises a plurality of metal rods, strips, or bars 104 embedded within a fabric 102 or some other material.
  • the protective material 100 can be a vest, a full body suit, a tight-fitting body suit, a partial body suit, a suit that covers most or all of the body, a blanket, towel, apron, cloak, jacket, pants, shirt, body armor, hat, medical blanket, rain jacket, radiation suit, and/or any other suitable material for wearing or placing around, against, in contact with or on a human or animal.
  • the protective material 100 can comprise a fabric or fabric material, non-woven material, and/or laminate material. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the protective material 100 can comprise a fabric that is woven, knitted, or felted. In some embodiments, for example and without limitation, the protective material 100 can be made of rubber, neoprene, or a blend of neoprene material. The protective material 100 could be comprised of a separate fabric that is stitched or otherwise embedded into one of the devices above. In some embodiments, the protective material 100 can be a wearable material that comprises a layer or layers comprising a fabric material 102, a non-woven material, and/or a laminate material.
  • the protective material 100 comprises a fabric 102 that is woven, knitted or felted. In some embodiments, the protective material 100 is lightweight enough to allow the subject to move while wearing the protective material 100. In some embodiments, a module including just the plurality of bars, rods, or strips 104 can be provided and worn by the subject, without an underlying fabric 102. In some other embodiments, the protective material 100 could be non-wearable, such as, for example and without limitation a tent, shield or other device that can be used by humans or animals to otherwise seek cover. In some embodiments, any of the devices described above can have sections of bars or rods 104, as shown in FIG. 1 A interwoven into the fabric 102 of the device.
  • the vest could have several of the protective materials 100 shown in FIG. 1 A arranged around the vest either on the outside of the vest, facing away from the wearer, on the inner part of the vest, facing the wearer, or imbedded within the vest, such as for example, arranged inside the fabric of the vest. If the device is some other device described above, the placement of the materials can be the same as for the vest described above.
  • the vest could be modular. By modular, it is meant that, for example, the vest could be configured such that different pieces of material like that shown in FIG. 1 can be attached or inserted into the underlying suit, vest, etc. and then removed and replaced with another material.
  • the module comprising the bars, rods, or strips 104 could be attached to the material via a hook and loop fastener.
  • the vest, suit, etc. could have for example, slots, or pockets arranged about that the modules comprising bars, rods, or strips 104 can be inserted into and/or removed.
  • the different protective material 100 could be different shapes, sizes, or arrangements such that they fit inside the pockets or slots of the vest or other device the subject is wearing.
  • the heavy metal strips, bars, or rods 104 can be bendable and/or flexible. In some embodiments, the heavy metal strips, bars, or rods 104 can be stiff and inflexible. In some embodiments, the heavy metal strips, bars, or rods 104 can be small modules comprising stiff or inflexible metals, but the modules are small enough such that they can be arranged such that the suit, vest, etc. is still flexible when the subject is wearing it. In some embodiments, the bars, rods, or strips 104 can be vertically oriented with respect to the surface the subject wearing them is standing on, like that shown in FIG. 1 A. In some embodiments, and as further described herein below, any of the modules or groupings of heavy metal bars, rods, strips, balls, beads, pellets, or disks 104 can be considered or referred to as protective material or protective modules.
  • FIG. 1 B illustrates two layers of protective material 100 with bars, rods, or strips 104.
  • the protective material 100 can comprise a single layer of bars, rods, or strips 104.
  • the protective material 100 can comprise a plurality of layers of bars, rods or strips 104 layered in the same orientation or in different orientations.
  • the protective materials 100 can also comprise heavy metal balls, beads, disks, or other suitable material.
  • the protective material 100 can comprise none, one, or a plurality of layers of bars, rods, or strips 104, and/or none, one, or a plurality of layers of heavy metal balls, beads, disks or other suitable material.
  • the protective material 100 can comprise one or more layers of bars, rods, or strips 104A that are vertically oriented with respect to the surface that the subject wearing the protective material 100 is standing on and one or more layers of bars, rods, or strips 104B that are horizontally oriented with respect to the subject wearing the material.
  • FIG. 1 B shows one layer being added to another and
  • FIG. 1 C illustrates the resulting grid of bars, rods, or strips 104AB of the combination of the vertical and horizontal rods, bars, or strips 104AB.
  • Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that as more layers of material or bars, rods, or strips 104 are added, the heavier the wearable protective material 100 will be, but also the more protection the subject will have from radiation exposure.
  • the heavy metal rods, bars, or strips 104 can comprise, for example and without limitation, tungsten, lead, gold, palladium, steel, or other suitable material or an alloy of any of the above for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D, 2E, and 2F illustrate several cross-sectional views of example protective materials 100 with different types of rods, bars, strips, balls, beads, or disks 104 embedded within the material.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates a cross-section of a protective material 100 comprising rectangular rods, bars, or strips 104 embedded within the fabric 102 of the protective material 100.
  • the rectangular rods, bars, or strips 104 in FIG. 2A are taller than the rectangular rods, strips, or bars 104 in FIG. 2B.
  • the taller the rectangular bars, rods, or strips 104 and, depending on the angle of approach of the radiation with respect to the bars, rods, or strips, 104 the more absorption, reflection, etc. of radiation. For example, and without limitation, if the angle of the incoming radiation is parallel to the cross-section of the bars, rods, or strips 104, both tall and short rods, bards, or strips 104 will have about the same amount of radiation getting through the gaps 106 (i.e., non-shielding portions). However, if the radiation is incoming at an angle, and not parallel to the bars, rods, or strips 104, the taller bars, rods, or strips 104 in FIG.
  • FIG. 2A illustrates another cross-sectional view of a protective material 100 with triangular shaped bars, rods, or strips 104 embedded within the protective material 100.
  • the heavy metal rods, bars, or strips 104 can comprise, for example and without limitation, tungsten, lead, gold, palladium, steel, or other suitable material or an alloy of any of the above for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • FIG. 2D illustrates a cross-sectional view of a protective material 100 with cylindrical rods or bars 104 embedded within the protective material 100.
  • This figure also illustrates a cross-sectional view of the material when balls, beads, or disks 104 are embedded within the protective material 100.
  • the protective materials 100 mentioned above can be configured such that the gaps 106 between the bars, rods, strips, disks, beads, balls, etc. are minimized, but not necessarily zero.
  • the key is to split up, or break apart, the high energy radiation and prevent at least a portion of the underlying tissue from being damaged by the radiation.
  • the weight of the protective material 100 is minimized and the flexibility of the material is maximized, making it a more useful shield for a subject wearing the material compared to a large lead wall or shield that is too heavy or bulky to carry around on the battle field or during a nuclear plant disaster.
  • the heavy metal rods, bars, strips, disks, balls, or beads can comprise, for example and without limitation, tungsten, lead, gold, palladium, steel, or other suitable material or an alloy of any of the above for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • FIG. 2E illustrates a perspective internal view of a protective material 100 with cylindrical bars, rods, or strips 104. As shown in the figure, each of the bars, rods, or strips 104 has gaps 106 between them. As described above, the gaps 106, or spacing, between the bars, rods, or strips 104 help determine both the amount of radiation that penetrates to the subject and how much the material weighs for the subject.
  • FIG. 2F illustrates a front internal view of a portion of a protective material 100 comprising disks, beads, or balls 104 embedded within the fabric 102 or other structure of the protective material 100. In some embodiments, the disks, balls, or beads 104 can be stacked in this way to minimize spacing between each disk, ball, or bead 104.
  • the gaps between the disks, balls, or beads 106 will allow radiation to freely penetrate through, but the disks, balls, or beads 106, in some embodiments, are comprised of heavy metals, and will impede the radiation, at least partially.
  • the heavy metal rods, bars, strips, disks, balls, or beads 104 can comprise, for example and without limitation, tungsten, lead, gold, palladium, steel, or other suitable material or an alloy of any of the above for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • FIG. 3A illustrates an example radiation environment 200 with a protective material 100 comprising bars, rods, or strips 104 and a radiation source 202 emitting high energy radiation 204.
  • the bars, rods, or strips 104 will have a height 110 or diameter that is less than or equal to the thickness of the fabric 108 or other material in which the bars, rods, or strips 104 are embedded.
  • the bars, rods, or strips 104 have a height 110 of between, and including, about 4 and 10 mm.
  • the bars, rods, or strips 104 have a height 110 of between, and including, about 5 and 6 mm.
  • the bars, rods, or strips 104 will not have a perfectly circular cross section.
  • the width 112 of the bars, rods, or strips 104 can be less than or greater than the height 110 of the bars, rods, or strips 104.
  • the width 112 of the bars, rods, or strips 104 can be between, and including, about 1 to 10 mm.
  • the thickness 108 of the material will be a limiting factor in determining the height 110 or diameter of the rods, bars, or strips 104.
  • the height 110 or diameter of the rods, bars, or strips 104 will determine the amount of radiation that is impeded as it goes through the heavy metal (i.e., the larger the height or diameter of the bars, rods, or strips, the more radiation that is absorbed, blocked, etc.).
  • a thicker protective material 100 will be used so that a larger diameter bar, strip, or rod 104 can be used to block or absorb more radiation.
  • the gap 106 between the bars, strips, or rods 104 can be determined by the desired weight and/or flexibility of the protective material 100. For example, the heavier the weight tolerance, the smaller the gap 106 can be.
  • the gap 106 can be closer together so as to provide extra protection, without being too prohibitively heavy because the overall module will be smaller than if the protective material 100 covered the entire torso of a human subject.
  • the length of the gap 106 is between, and including, 1 to 10 mm.
  • the length of the gap 106 is 2 mm.
  • free, unimpeded high energy radiation 204 is represented by thick arrows and impeded or obstructed radiation 204’ is represented by the thin arrows as the radiation passes through the bars, rods, or strips 104.
  • the large arrows flow through the spacings or gaps 106 between the rods, bars, or strips 104. This indicates that radiation 204 that flows directly through the gaps 106 does so unimpeded.
  • the radiation 204 contacts the protective material 100 at any sort of angle and/or has to go through the bars, strips, or rods 104, the radiation 204 is attenuated and thus, protected the tissues underneath of the protective material 100.
  • the size of the gaps 106 between the bars, strips, or rods 104 also determines the amount of radiation 204 that penetrates to the subject. If the gaps 106 or spacings are larger, more radiation 204 freely penetrates, but the material or fabric is probably lighter and more flexible in this scenario, as well. If the gaps 106 or spacings are smaller, then less radiation 204 penetrates and the subject is better protected from the radiation 204. However, in this scenario, the protective material 100 is heavier and less flexible.
  • FIG. 3B is substantially the same as FIG. 3A, except that it illustrates that, in some embodiments, the bars, strips, or rods 104 can be cross- sectionally rectangular in shape.
  • the bars, strips, or rods 104 are have a rectangular cross-section, they can have a similar range in height and width as the bars, strips, or rods 104 in FIG. 3A.
  • the radiation 204 that is allowed to freely pass through the gaps 106 penetrates the wearable protective material 100 and hits the skin and tissue of the subject wearing the protective material 100. This can damage the tissue and cells of the subject, but as described above only partially. This is so because the radiation 204’ is at least partially blocked by the bars, rods, or strips 104, which allows some of the tissue and cells of the subject to not be damaged or destroyed. Thus, in some cases, enough tissue and cells are left undamaged, after the exposure, and are able to repair, regenerate, heal and regrow the damaged portions.
  • FIG. 3C illustrates an example protective material 100 comprising rectangular bars, strips, or rods 104 that are comprised of, in some embodiments, for example and without limitation, tungsten, lead, gold, palladium, steel, or other suitable material or alloy of any of the above for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • the rods, bars, or strips 104 are comprised of a heavy metal, alloy, or other substance that have properties that completely reflect radiation away.
  • only radiation 204 that penetrates through the gaps 106 reaches the subject.
  • the radiation 204” that attempts to penetrate through the bars, rods, or strips 104 is reflected away and does not penetrate to the subject.
  • the protective material 100 or shielding material or areas of the material only cover a predetermined area(s) or portion(s) of the subject.
  • the predetermined area(s) or portion(s) of the subject can comprise areas where major internal organs or other vital tissues or areas are located inside the body.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates a human subject H wearing protective material 100 for shielding or protecting the human subject H from radiation, for example, high energy radiation.
  • the protective material 100 can comprise any of the clothing, suits, or devices described above along with any of the shielding materials described above, including rods, bars, strips, or other material.
  • the wearable protective material 100 can cover only a portion of the body, such as the torso, abdomen, chest, etc. in order to cover or protect only the major internal organs.
  • the protective wearable material 100 can be configured to cover the entire body, including that covered in FIG. 4A and extremities of the subject, or any other portion of the body. As illustrated in FIG.
  • the vest can be configured such that the protective bars, strips, or rods can be modular, meaning one or a plurality of modules of bars, rods, or strips can be embedded into the vest in different parts of the vest.
  • the vest can comprise pockets, slots, or spaces for different sized and/or different shaped modules comprising protective heavy metal bars, rods, or strips.
  • the vest or other suitable garment can be configured to protect different portions of the body, based on the pockets, slots, or other portions of the vest where a protective module is inserted.
  • FIG. 4A illustrates the bars, strips, or rods in a vertical orientation
  • the bars, strips, or rods can be configured in a horizontal orientation with respect to the subject, or a diagonal orientation with respect to the subject.
  • FIG. 4B illustrates another embodiment of the present disclosure.
  • the human subject H has a vest on, the vest comprising protective wearable material 100 comprising a plurality of disks, balls, or beads covering its torso and chest.
  • the protective material comprises disks, balls, or beads
  • the wearable material in FIG. 4B is identical to the description above regarding the vest or other material in FIG. 4A.
  • FIG. 5 illustrates a human subject H wearing a protective material 100, such as a vest, suit, body armor, or other suitable material comprising vertically oriented protective heavy metal bars, rods, or strips.
  • a protective material 100 such as a vest, suit, body armor, or other suitable material comprising vertically oriented protective heavy metal bars, rods, or strips.
  • the human subject H is being subjected to high energy radiation 204 from the high energy radiation source 202.
  • the human subject’s 202 internal organs around the chest, torso, and abdomen will be protected from the high energy radiation 204.
  • the thickness, height, width, spacing, etc. of the bars, rods, or strips will determine the amount of protection from the high energy radiation 204 the human subject H receives, but with the protective material 100 on, the human subject H will receive at least partial protection.
  • the amount of radiation that actually penetrates through either the gaps between the bars, strips, or rods, or through the bars, strips, or rods themselves, will be dependent upon an angle at which the human subject H faces the high energy radiation source 202 as well as the angle at which it moves around the radiation source 202.
  • the amount of radiation 204 absorbed by the human subject H can fluctuate in what can be known as“smearing”.
  • FIG. 6A illustrates a human subject H wearing a tight-fitting body suit 302 in a first environment 300 where such a material might be needed.
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 is configured to cover almost the entire body except for the human subject’s H head, hands, and feet.
  • This tight-fitting body suit can comprise, for example and without limitation, a wet suit, combat suit, or other suitable material.
  • the tight-fitting body suit can also cover the remainder of the body such as the hands, feet and head.
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 can comprise the tight-fitting body suit 302 of FIG.
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 can comprise a protective material 100 comprising a plurality of beads, balls, pellets, or disks positioned within the tight-fitting body suit 302 such that the plurality of beads, balls, pellets, or disks protects the organs in and on the chest, abdomen, and/or torso.
  • 6A, 6B, and/or 6C can be modular as well such that different protective materials 100 or modules of protective materials 100 can be inserted into pockets, slots, etc. of the tight-fitting body suit 302.
  • the beads, balls, pellets, or disks can be arranged or embedded within the tight-fitting body suit 302 in one large pocket or section, or several different modules of beads, balls, pellets, or disks can be installed into different pockets, slots, or other appropriate area of the tight-fitting body suit 302.
  • the protective material 100 inserted into the slots, pockets, etc. can also be removed to lighten the tight-fitting body suit 302.
  • the arms, legs, hands, feet, and head of the human subject H are left unprotected.
  • a wearable material with this configuration would be ideal because it would be one of the more flexible or agile designs.
  • the back and sides of the tight-fitting body suit 302 can comprise the protective material 100 comprising balls, beads, pellets, or disks positioned within the tight-fitting body suit 302 as well.
  • the protective balls, beads, pellets, or disks can comprise heavy metal(s), for example and without limitation, tungsten, lead, gold, palladium, steel, or other suitable material or alloy of any of the above for blocking, reflecting, deflecting, or absorbing radiation.
  • the balls, beads, pellets, or disks can be any suitable diameter that balances maximizing protection and ease of wear or flexibility of the wearable material.
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 is, at least partially, see through
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 including the protective material 100 can be made from clear material such that viewers can see the internal components of the protective material 100.
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 is not see-through and can be made of any suitable color material. In some embodiments, it is ideal to be a color or made of a material that is at least partially reflective with respect to radiation.
  • FIG. 6C illustrates a human subject H wearing a tight-fitting body suit 302 like that shown in FIG. 6B.
  • the tight-fitting body suit 302 can comprise a protective material 100 comprising a plurality of beads, balls, pellets, or disks that are embedded throughout the entire tight- fitting body suit 302.
  • the plurality of beads, balls, pellets, or disks can be positioned such that the arms, legs, chest, torso, and/or abdomen are all protected, at least partially from radiation.
  • the positioning and arrangement of the balls, beads, pellets, or disks does not completely absorb, reduce, block, deflect and or reflect the radiation from penetrating the tight-fitting body suit 302 to the human subject H, but it does, at least partially, absorb, reduce, block, deflect and or reflect the radiation.
  • the tight-fitting body suit in FIG. 6C is likely heavier and less flexible than the tight-fitting body suit in FIG. 6B, making the tight- fitting body suit 302 in FIG. 6C harder to move around in, but more protective overall.
  • 6B or 6C can also comprise a covering and/or coverage for the hands, feet, head, and/or face.
  • the hands, feet, head, and/or face can also be covered by wearable material of the tight-fitting body suit 302.
  • the materials that provide coverage for the hands, feet, head, and/or face can be separate materials such as, for example, gloves, or other hand coverings, socks, or other foot coverings, face masks, hoods, or other head and/or face coverings, or that can be a part of the tight-fitting body suit 302 and integrated into the design.
  • FIG. 7 A illustrates a human subject H in a second environment 400 wearing a protective suit 402 including the main suit, gloves or other hand covering, feet coverings, or boots, and a head covering, or a hood.
  • this type of protective suit 402 can be chemically protective or resistant, so it can not only prevent a human subject from coming into contact with dangerous chemicals, but it can also be embedded with some of the protective materials or modules described hereinabove.
  • the protective suit 402 in FIGS. 7A, 7B, and/or 7C can be modular as well, such that different protective materials 100 or modules of protective materials 100 can be inserted into pockets, slots, etc. of the protective suit 402.
  • FIG. 7 A illustrates a human subject H in a second environment 400 wearing a protective suit 402 including the main suit, gloves or other hand covering, feet coverings, or boots, and a head covering, or a hood.
  • this type of protective suit 402 can be chemically protective or resistant, so it can not only prevent a human subject from coming into contact with
  • the protective suit 402 can comprise a module of protective material 100, namely bars, rods, or strips that cover or at least partially protect the torso, chest, and/or abdomen from any high energy radiation directed at the human subject H wearing the protective suit 402.
  • the major internal organs in the human subject’s H chest, torso, and/or abdomen are at least partially protected from the high energy radiation as only some of the radiation penetrates through the protective bars, rods, or strips.
  • the bars, rods, or strips can be vertically oriented.
  • the bars, rods, or strips can be horizontally oriented as well.
  • the protective module or material 100 can be in a single layer of protective material 100 or in multiple layers such that multiple layers of protective material 100 are embedded into the protective suit 402.
  • the entire protective suit 402 can be covered in protective material 100 like the heavy metal bars, strips, or rods described above.
  • protective material 100 like the heavy metal bars, strips, or rods described above.
  • the protective suit 402 that covers the entire human subject H with protective material 100 is much less flexible and much heavier than the protective suit 402 that only has protective material 100 covering the chest, abdomen, and/or torso.
  • FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate various stages of one or more example tests conducted to demonstrate concepts of the present disclosure.
  • Several test subjects namely, mice, were given example protective material, arranged on their bodies near critical or important organs and testing was performed.
  • FIG. 8A illustrates the test environment, wherein several mice were subjected to at least two different radiation tests. The first test involved subjecting ten test mice to high-energy radiation without any shielding at all. In the second test, ten test mice were placed inside a lead shielding box with a protective module in between. The protective module comprised bars, rods, or strips of 2mm diameter tungsten rods positioned over the test mouse. Each of the test mice were subjected to the same amount and intensity of radiation whether they were shielded or not shielded.
  • FIG. 8B illustrates a graph depicting the exposure of each of the ten mice that were protected using the protective material when subjected to the radiation.
  • the amount of exposure was very low: less than 50 Rad/min.
  • the exposure was much higher: between 130 Rad/min and over 300 Rad/min.
  • 8C illustrates a graph depicting the survival rates of the mice exposed to radiation with and without the protective material.
  • the results were that, for those mice that were exposed to the high energy radiation without any protective material, such as the tungsten bars, strips, or rods, 80-100% of them died within 15 days of being exposed to the radiation. For those mice that were exposed to the high energy radiation, but with the protective material, 90-100% survived at least 30 days, which was a very significant improvement.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
  • Radiation-Therapy Devices (AREA)
  • Materials For Medical Uses (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne des matériaux et des procédés de protection contre les rayonnements. Dans certains modes de réalisation, ce ou ces matériaux de protection contre les rayonnements se présentent sous la forme d'un matériau pouvant être porté comprenant au moins certaines parties ou zones sans protection conçues pour permettre aux rayonnements de passer à travers le matériau, ainsi que des parties ou zones de protection conçues pour atténuer de manière significative les rayonnements. Dans certains modes de réalisation, les parties de protection comprennent des perles, des tiges, des blocs, des billes, des barres, des bandes, des disques ou toute combinaison de ceux-ci. Dans certains modes de réalisation, le procédé consiste à utiliser un matériau pouvant être porté pour protéger un sujet contre les rayonnements et protéger au moins partiellement l'utilisateur contre une exposition aux rayonnements.
PCT/US2020/026453 2019-04-02 2020-04-02 Matériaux et procédés de protection contre les rayonnements WO2020247055A2 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201962828291P 2019-04-02 2019-04-02
US62/828,291 2019-04-02

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2020247055A2 true WO2020247055A2 (fr) 2020-12-10
WO2020247055A3 WO2020247055A3 (fr) 2021-03-18

Family

ID=73652469

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2020/026453 WO2020247055A2 (fr) 2019-04-02 2020-04-02 Matériaux et procédés de protection contre les rayonnements

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2020247055A2 (fr)

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6841791B2 (en) * 1998-12-07 2005-01-11 Meridian Research And Development Multiple hazard protection articles and methods for making them
JP2014041040A (ja) * 2012-08-22 2014-03-06 Hiraoka & Co Ltd 可撓性複合シート
WO2014071022A1 (fr) * 2012-10-31 2014-05-08 Lite-Tech Inc. Composition flexible hautement chargée, vêtement protecteur ainsi obtenu et procédés de fabrication de celle-ci
SE537818C2 (sv) * 2013-04-05 2015-10-27 Ten Medical Design Ab Strålskyddande material
EP3270722B1 (fr) * 2015-03-17 2020-10-21 StemRad Ltd. Dispositif de protection contre les rayonnements dans l'espace

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2020247055A3 (fr) 2021-03-18

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP2706881B1 (fr) Dispositif de radioprotection et procédés de celui-ci
US8993989B1 (en) Apparatuses and methods employing multiple layers for attenuating ionizing radiation
Fürst et al. Cancer incidence after radiotherapy for skin hemangioma: a retrospective cohort study in Sweden
Yamamoto Risks and management of radiation exposure
WO2020247055A2 (fr) Matériaux et procédés de protection contre les rayonnements
US20040001894A1 (en) Topical compositions and glove for protection against radiation exposure
Kaur et al. Effects of Radiation on the Environment
KR100581554B1 (ko) 방사성 보호 의류
DK181684B1 (en) Radiation Shielding Vest
Waterman et al. Selective shielding of bone marrow: an approach to protecting humans from external gamma radiation
Rahman et al. Nuclear and radiological protective clothing
Koo et al. Development of an aperture-type radiation regulator for shielding against secondary radiation from x-ray tubes and collimators in computed tomography
KR102671365B1 (ko) 방사선 치료용 산란선 차폐 속옷
Johnson Human Effects Following Exposure to Ionizing Radiation: The Accident at Chernobyl—the Data From Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Kuna et al. How serious is threat of radiological terrorism
EA003918B1 (ru) Жилет защитный от ионизирующих излучений
KR200411870Y1 (ko) 방사성 보호 의류
Theodore Harcke et al. Imaging body armor
CN210541604U (zh) 医用射线防护罩
Scarlat et al. Dosimetry Approach of Coronavirus
CN209285559U (zh) Ct受检者防护装置
İnce et al. Medical Planning and Care in Radiation Accidents
JP2023100587A (ja) 被ばくと防護負荷を低減する複合化した防護機器・器具
Nelson et al. Shining a new light on radiation's dark dide: Cold War era archives and chemical tinkering are helping researchers to better understand how radiation kills and how to protect against it. In this article, the first of a 2-part series, we examine the complicated interplay between radiation and cancer
Neal et al. Weapons of mass destruction: radiation

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 20818891

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 20818891

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A2