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A novel removable shield attached to C-arm units against scattered X-rays from a patient’s side

  • Interventional
  • Published:
European Radiology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objectives

We invented a drape-like shield against scattered X-rays that can safely come into contact with medical equipment or people during fluoroscopically guided procedures. The shield can be easily removed from a C-arm unit using one hand. We evaluated the use of the novel removable shield during the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure.

Methods

We measured the dose rate of scattered X-rays around endoscopists with and without this removable shield and surveyed the occupational doses to the ERCP staff. We also examined the endurance of the shield.

Results

The removable shield reduced the dose rate of scattered X-rays to one-tenth and reduced the monthly dose to an endoscopist by at least two-fifths. For 2.5 years, there was no damage to the shield and no loosening of the seam. The bonding of the hook-and-loop fasteners did not weaken, although the powerful double-sided tapes made especially for plastic did.

Conclusions

The removable shield can reduce radiation exposure to the ERCP staff and may contribute to reducing the exposure to the eye lenses of operators. It would also be possible to expand its use to other fluoroscopically guided procedures besides ERCP because it is a light, simple, and useful device.

Key Points

• We invented a shield that can be removed from C-arm units with one hand.

• The removable shield reduces the dose rate of X-rays to one-tenth.

• The removable shield reduces operator exposure by two-fifths.

• The removable shield is durable, lasting for several years.

• The drape-like removable shield is light, simple, and useful.

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Abbreviations

ERCP:

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography

ICRP:

International Commission on Radiological Protection

ICRU:

International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements

IR:

Interventional radiology

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Acknowledgements

The scientific guarantor of this publication is Mr. Kichiro Koshida, PhD, Professor, Department of Quantum Medical Technology, School of Health Sciences, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University. The authors of this manuscript declare no relationships with any companies whose products or services may be related to the subject matter of the article. The authors state that this work has not received any funding. No complex statistical methods were necessary for this article. The study design was approved by the appropriate ethics review boards. Written informed consent was waived by the appropriate ethics review boards. Methodology: retrospective, observational and experimental, performed at one institution.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Hokkaido Social Insurance Hospital, 1-8-3-18 Nakanoshima, Toyohira, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 062-8618, Japan

    Hiroshige Mori & Osamu Ishigamori

  2. Department of Quantum Medical Technology, Division of Health Sciences, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0942, Japan

    Hiroshige Mori

  3. School of Health Sciences, College of Medical, Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, Kanazawa University, 5-11-80 Kodatsuno, Kanazawa, Ishikawa, 920-0942, Japan

    Kichiro Koshida & Kosuke Matsubara

Authors
  1. Hiroshige Mori
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  2. Kichiro Koshida
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  3. Osamu Ishigamori
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  4. Kosuke Matsubara
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Correspondence to Hiroshige Mori.

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Mori, H., Koshida, K., Ishigamori, O. et al. A novel removable shield attached to C-arm units against scattered X-rays from a patient’s side. Eur Radiol 24, 1794–1799 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3186-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00330-014-3186-x

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