TU-E-I-611-06: A Novel Shielding System That May Eliminate the Need for Lead Apparel During Fluoroscopic Procedures
Purpose: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a novel shielding system that completely shields the operator and attending staff during fluoroscopic procedures. Materials and Methods: The enclosure system, developed by ECLS, Inc., is composed of lead glass, leaded drapes and a steel frame. Most of the patient's body and the x‐ray unit are on one side of the enclosure. The leaded glass and leaded drapes contain 1 mm and 0.5 mm lead equivalency, respectively. All exposure measurements were taken with a Radcal 9010 survey instrument with a 60cc ion chamber. The scatter phantom was composed of 7 inches of Acrylic and 3 mm Aluminum. Measurements were taken at various positions in the room during boosted fluoroscopy. Measurements were also taken within a lead apron, with 0.5 mm lead equivalency, at 2 ft from phantom with no interposed shielding. Results: The maximum exposure rate was measured at the operator position and was 1.9 mR/h, 2.5 ft from the phantom. A corresponding measurement on the phantom side of the shield was 824 mR/h. The maximum exposure rate seen within the lead apron was 13.7 mR/h. The shielding system performed better than the 0.5 mm lead equivalency lead aprons. A staff member standing at the operator's position for all 211 hours of fluoro time last year in that lab would have receive 401 mrem, well below 10% of the legal limit of 5000 mrem whole body allowed for occupational exposure. Conclusion: This shielding system provided protection superior to that of a standard lead apron. It is hoped that the use of this shielding system may eliminate the need for lead apparel during fluoroscopic procedures. Conflicts of Interest: This research is partially funded by ECLS, Inc.