• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.105-110
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• 2021

Radiation shielding of affinity material, which is widely used in medical institutions, is made in sheet form and is mainly applied to apron. Shielding performance is presented based on lead equivalent, and is presented as 0.25-0.50mmPb. In the case of shielding materials where lead is used as the main material, the shielding performance can be adjusted by thickness due to the excellent machinability of lead. However, eco-friendly shielding sheets are difficult to control shielding performance based on thickness criteria as shielding performance varies depending on the content of shielding materials, the properties of polymeric materials that are base materials, and the technical differences in the process. In this study, shielding sheets were manufactured based on thickness to solve these problems and the shielding performance was compared in this study. As a result, it was shown that the laminated structure shielding sheet was more effective.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.543-551
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• 2023

In this study, the aim was to assess the shielding performance of different 3D printing materials, specifically those produced using FDM, SLA, and CJP methods, with a focus on their application as shielding devices in clinical settings. Additionally, the weight of lead shielding materials can evoke reluctance in pediatric patients undergoing X-ray imaging. A total of 12 materials were printed using their respective 3D printers. These materials were then subjected to X-ray testing using diagnostic X-ray equipment and an exposure meter. The goal was to evaluate their shielding capabilities in comparison to 1 mm lead. The results of this evaluation revealed that VisiJet PXL-Pastel, produced using the CJP method, exhibited the highest shielding performance. Therefore, VisiJet PXL-Pastel by CJP method was selected for the creation of a shielding device designed for pediatric reproductive organs. Subsequent tests demonstrated that both the newly created shielding device and conventional lead shielding equipment achieved the same maximum shielding rate at 50 kVp. Specifically, the shielding rate for the 3D printed device was measured at 84.53%, while the conventional lead shielding equipment, categorized as Apron1 (85.74%), Apron2 (99.98%), and Apron3 (99.04%), demonstrated similar performance. In conclusion, the CJP-produced VisiJet PXL-Pastel material showcased excellent radiation shielding capabilities, allowing for anatomical observations of the target organs and their surrounding structures in X-ray images. Furthermore, its lower weight in comparison to traditional lead shielding materials makes it a clinically practical and useful choice, particularly for pediatric applications.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.490-497
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• 2016

This study compared and analyzed the pollution levels of radiation shielding aprons and ways to sterilize them using 30 lead aprons. After collecting samples from the center of the lead apron, where contact is most frequent, experiments were conducted employing Coagula and Latex methods. Using the culture medium where bacteria grew, measurements of the pathogen count and identification were performed. The greatest number of pathogens were $7.16{\pm}10$, which were detected on the lead apron from general X-ray room #2, but there was no significant difference according to the facilities (p > 0.05). Compared to how many pathogens remained between using the disinfectant ethanol and tissue, the pathogens decreased by $0.01{\pm}0.4$ (p < 0.05) after using disinfectant ethanol and by $0.87{\pm}1.7$(p < 0.05) after using disinfectant tissue. The Pearson correlation test revealed a significant correlation (-0.296, p < 0.05) between them. According to this research, there were pathogens on the lead aprons and the number of pathogens was determined by statistical analysis. It is expected that the rate of radiology technologists, patients, and medical equipment infected by pathogens will be reduced by the proper use of sterilization with a disinfectant ethanol.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.11
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• pp.119-126
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• 2021

Radiation shielding clothing for medical institutions is used based on lead equivalent of 0.25 mmPb. However, this study intends to study the shielding suit that can guarantee the user's activity while considering the sensitivity of each part of the body. By manufacturing based on eco-friendly shielding material, it was attempted to solve the weight problem and environmental problem of existing lead aprons, and to present the same shielding performance as lead equivalent in thickness. The fabric of the produced shielding sheet was manufactured through a calendar process that adjusts the thickness of the shielding sheet from lead equivalent 0.12 mmPb to 0.32 mmPb. In addition, the usability evaluation of the manufactured shielding clothes was conducted for the subjects who were workers in medical institutions. As a result, the activity became easier and the weight was reduced by 0.26 kg. In the future, it is thought that it is necessary to improve the shielding suit design considering the activity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2017

Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) is increasingly used to treat osteoporotic vertebral fractures, myeloma and osteolytic vertebral metastases. The purpose of this study was to measure the absorbed radiation exposure dose and time during PVP and to assess the possibility of deterministic radiation effects to the operator and patient. The radiation dose and time measure by three pain physicians performed consecutive procedures using the twenty case PVP. Patient's dosimeter placed at the anteroposterior(AP) side was treatment of the vertebra body located in the upper level 2-3 and lateral(LAT) side was flank proximal to C-arm tube of back. Operator's dosimeter placed at the apron outside of upper sternum (thyroid), left chest, lower extremity and apron inside of left chest. Results: Radiation exposure times were $3.6{\pm}0.71min$. Measurements on the Patient radiation dose were AP $121.4{\pm}48.1{\mu}Sv$, LAT side $614.7{\pm}177.1{\mu}Sv$. Operator radiation dose were outside of the lead apron upper sternum $33.7{\pm}7.3{\mu}Sv$, outside of the lead apron chest $49.2{\pm}15.0{\mu}Sv$, outside of the lead apron lower extremity $12.8{\pm}3.8{\mu}Sv$ and inside of the lead apron chest $4.2{\pm}1.4{\mu}Sv$. To escape from the danger of radiation first long distance from the c-arm tube second exposure time reduced second lead apron used fluoroscopy during PVP is more safety patient and operation from the radiation exposure.

• Journal of Advanced Technology Convergence
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.19-25
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• 2022

It is intended to evaluate the performance of the shield after manufacturing a shield with cheap and eco-friendly iron oxide and alumina instead of lead, which is a radiation shielding material. After manufacturing the shield by mixing iron oxide and alumina with gypsum, the performance is evaluated by comparing it with gypsum board and lead apron using an X-ray tube. As a result of the experiment, the shielding performance of alumina was lower than that of the gypsum board, and when 50% of alumina was contained, the shielding performance was similar to that of the gypsum board. Iron oxide became similar to the shielding performance of lead apron when it contained about 75%. A shielding material using alumina shows shielding performance similar to that of gypsum, so it is not suitable as a substitute for lead. However, since iron oxide exhibits similar shielding performance to lead, it can be used as an X-ray shielding material to replace lead in the future, so further research is needed.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.232-237
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• 2010

The shielding materials designed for replacement of lead equivalent materials for lighter apron than that of lead in diagnostic photon beams. The absorption characteristics of elements were applied to investigate the lead free material for design the shielding materials through the 50 kVp to 110 kVp x-ray energy in interval of 20 kVp respectively. The idea focused to the effect of K-edge absorption of variable elements excluding the lead material for weight reduction. The designed shielding materials composited of Tin 34.1%, Antimon 33.8% and Iodine 26.8% and Polyisoprene 5.3% gram weight account for 84 percent of weight of lead equivalent of 0.5 mm thickness. The size of lead-free shielder was $200{\times}200{\times}1.5\;mm^3$ and $3.2\;g/cm^3$ of density which is equivalent to 0.42 mm of Pb. The lead equivalent of 0.5 mm thickness generally used for shielding apron of diagnostic X rays which is transmitted 0.1% for 50 kVp, 0.9% for 70 kVp and 3.2% for 90 kVp and 4.8% for 110 kVp in experimental measurements. The experiment of transmittance for lead-free shielder has showed 0.3% for 50 kVp, 0.6% for 70 kVp, 2.0% for 90 kVp and 4.2% for 110 kVp within ${\pm}0.1%$. respectively. Using the attenuation coefficient of experiments for 0.5 mm Pb equivalent of lead-free materials showed 0.1%. 0.3%, 1.0% and 2.4%, respectively. Furthermore, the transmittance of lead-free shielder for scatter rays has showed the 2.4% in operation energy of 50 kVp and 5.9% in energy of 110 kVp against 2.4% and 5.1% for standard lead thickness within ${\pm}0.2%$ discrepancy, respectively. In this experiment shows the designed lead-free shielder is very effective for reduction the apron weight in diagnostic radiation fields.

• Journal of Radiation Industry
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.219-225
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• 2016

The apron is one of the essential protectors to reduce the exposure dose of radiological technologists. This study is to provide a guideline for purchasing the aprons with excellent performance and to help reducing the exposure dose by measuring the shielding ration and uniformity of aprons according to lead equivalent and form types. The shielding ratio of aprons were measured by using radiation generator and dosimeter. Exposure conditions were 81 kVp, 25 mAs, source to image receptor distance (SID) 100 cm and field of view (FOV) $17^{{\prime}{\prime}}{\times}17^{{\prime}{\prime}}$. Exposure areas for front type and around type aprons were divided into 9 areas and for 2 pieces type aprons were divided into 3 areas of top and 4 areas of skirt. The uniformity of aprons were measured by using fluoroscopy and Image J. The 4 regions of interest (ROI) were set into acquired images and measured uniformity by measuring the standard deviation of pixel intensity in ROIs. In continuous shielding ration measurement of aprons according to exposure area, there was not statistical significance (P>0.05). In ANOVA test of aprons, there was statistical significance (P<0.01). In the results of sheilding ratio, although the aprons had equal lead equivalent, there were difference in shielding ratio from 83.59% to 98.15%. In the results of uniformity, the front type aprons with equal lead equivalent indicated the similar uniformity. However, the around type and 2 pieces type apron with equal lead equivalent indicated the different uniformity each other, from 1.8 to 22.2. If the performance evaluation in this study were conducted regularly before and after purchase the aprons, the exposure does to patients and radiological technologists could be reduced.

• Progress in Medical Physics
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-98
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to see the usefulness of lead apron for critical organs near the breast under examining. For clinical experiment, 30 female volunteers who agreed to their participation in the experiments, were chosen and divided into two groups, 15 in group A and 15 in group B respectively. group A is to see whether each side of breast under mammography affects to other side glandular on the critical organs is same, because it is not allowed to scan the both breast for same person or to scan repeatedly. Group B is to see the effectiveness of lead apron during the mammography of right breast. Glass dosimeters were placed on the thyroid, the contralateral breast, and lower abdomen where near the breast during examining. The average glandular doses on the surface in mammography of the thyroid gland, the contralateral breast, the lower abdomen were 0.0692 mGy, 0.6790 mGy, and 0.0122 mGy, respectively, which was an extremely low level of glandular dose. In group B, as to the thyroid gland, average dose was decreased from 0.0922 mGy to 0.0158 mGy. The average dose of contralateral breast was decreased from 0.8575 mGy to 0.0286 mGy. The average doses of lower abdomen was decrease 0.0150 mGy to 0.0173 mGy. As to the lower abdomen, dose decreased from 0.0150 mGy before the use of an apron down to 0.0173 mGy after the use. As p-value was under 0.05, statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups. Wearing an apron can have the protective effects on the thyroid gland up to 20 times lower than not wearing one. Besides, it is also necessary to protect the other breast during the examination by wearing one.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.308-317
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the level and related factors related to health-promoting lifestyle in operating room nurses in Korea. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive survey design was employed. The data were collected using questionnaire for three weeks in December 2018 from 110 operating room nurses working for more than six months in a general hospital located in Seoul. The Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile-II, The Korean Version of the Practice Environment Scale of Nursing Work Index, and Operating nurse's Job stress Factor Scale were used. Results: Significant relationships were observed between health promoting lifestyle and educational level(p= .025), perceived economic status (p= .001) wearing a lead apron for protection from radiation during the operation(p< .001), work satisfaction(p= .016), and fatigue related to work(p= .006). Also significant correlations were identified between nursing work environment and health promoting lifestyle. However, the health promoting lifestyle was not statistically different based on occupational stress(p= .365). In multiple linear regression analyses, the level of health promoting lifestyle found to be higher in subjects who did not wear a lead apron for protection from radiation(p= .017), and who had more positive perception of the nursing work environment(p= .034). Conclusion: In order to increase health promoting lifestyle of operating nurses, the strategies to improve the nursing work environment are essential.