the term “ radio - opaque agent ” refers to any substance or agent which blocks , absorbs , scatters , or reflects any radiation outside the visible light spectrum , including , but not limited to , x - rays ( in the wavelength range of 0 . 01 to 10 nm ), beta rays ( e . g ., having velocities of about 35 , 000 to 180 , 000 miles per second ), gamma rays ( having an energy in the range of 10 4 to 10 7 ev ), radiation used in radiation therapy ( e . g ., therapy to treat cancer ), and other harmful radiation ( such as that resulting from nuclear disasters and nuclear weapons ). suitable radio - opaque agents include , but are not limited to , those comprising platinum , gold , silver , bismuth , mercury , lead , barium , calcium , zinc , aluminum , iron , gallium , iodine , tungsten , and any combination of any of the foregoing . other suitable radio - opaque agents include , but are not limited to , those commercially available as radio - opaque agents for medical uses , such as ionic and nonionic intravenous radiocontrast agents , diagnostic barium and gastrographin preparations , and gallium preparations . according to one preferred embodiment , the radio - opaque agent blocks , absorbs , scatters , or reflects any radiation outside the visible light spectrum , including , but not limited to , x - rays , beta rays , and gamma rays , which are emitted from radioisotopes , such as those used in the medical industry ( e . g ., in radiation therapy and medical diagnostic testing ). examples of radioisotopes used in the medical industry include , but are not limited to , radioisotopes of gallium , iodine , indium , thallium , 3 h , 11 c , 14 c , 13 n , 18 f , 22 na , 24 na , 31 si , 32 p , 35 s , 36 cl , 38 cl , 42 k , 45 ca , 51 cr , 52 mn , 54 mn , 55 fe , 59 fe , 60 co , 63 zn , 65 zn , 82 br , 85 k , 85 kr , 89 sr , 99 tc , 131 i , 137 cs , 182 ta , 192 ir , and 198 au . the term “ carrier ” includes , but is not limited to , pharmaceutically acceptable carriers , such as water , celluloses ( including , but not limited to , methylcellulose ). the topical composition generally includes an amount of the radio - opaque agent effective to prevent or reduce ( e . g ., by 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 , 90 , 95 , 99 , 99 . 9 , or 99 . 99 %) radiation exposure of a surface to which it is applied . preferably , the amount is effective to prevent or reduce x - ray , beta ray , and / or gamma ray exposure . this amount may vary depending on the radio - opaque agent incorporated in the topical composition . preferably , the radio - opaque agent is uniformly dispersed throughout the topical composition . a thickener may be incorporated in the topical composition in order to immobilize or suspend the radio - opaque agent . this prevents the radio - opaque agent from penetrating the user &# 39 ; s skin . the topical composition can also include other excipients known in the art , such as emollients , colorants , and moisturizing agents . suitable excipients include , but are not limited to , those described in the remington &# 39 ; s pharmaceutical sciences , 19th edition , a . r . gennaro ( 1995 ) and the international cosmetic ingredient dictionary and handbook , 7th edition ( 1997 ), published by the cosmetic , toiletry , and fragrance association ( both of which are hereby incorporated by reference ). the topical composition of the present invention is typically applied to a surface in an amount effective to prevent or reduce exposure of the surface ( e . g ., hands and face ) to radiation ( such as x - rays , beta rays , and / or gamma rays ). the glove of the present invention may be composed of latex , cloth , vinyl , or any other substance known in the art . according to one embodiment , the glove is a surgical glove , such as a latex or non - latex glove . an example of the glove of the present invention is shown in fig1 . glove 10 has an outer dorsal layer 12 and a palmer layer 16 ( i . e . on the palm side of the glove ). the palmer layer 16 may be comprised of a single layer of material as illustrated in fig1 or may be comprises of multiple layers of the same or different material . the palmer may be composed of a top and bottom layer having a radio - opaque agent disposed between the top and bottom layers . preferably , the outer dorsal layer 12 and the palmer layer are comprised of the same material . a cross - section along lines a — a of the glove 10 is shown in fig2 . the glove 10 has an inner dorsal layer 14 between the outer dorsal layer 12 ( or 12 a ) and the palmer layer 16 ( or 16 a ). between the inner dorsal layer 14 and the palmer layer 16 is sufficient space to engage the hand of a person . a compartment 18 disposed between the outer dorsal layer 16 and the inner dorsal layer 14 includes a radio - opaque agent . according to one embodiment , the radio - opaque agent is uniformly dispersed throughout the compartment 18 . according to another embodiment , the thickness of the compartment 18 is uniform over the entire inner dorsal layer 14 of the glove 10 . all patents , applications , articles , publications , and test methods mentioned above are hereby incorporated by reference . many variations of the present invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art in light of the above detailed description . such obvious variations are within the full intended scope of the appended claims .
this invention relates to topical compositions and a glove for protection against radiation exposure , such as that due to radiation used in medical procedures .