Semi-automatic positioning of the protective screen based on integration with C-arm X-ray device

Abstract

In fluoroscopy guided interventional procedures, a ceiling suspended screen is used to protect personnel for scattered X-ray radiation arising from patient treatment. The correct positioning of the screen is crucial for proper occupational radiation protection. The proposed solution in this paper provides reliable and efficient protection from scattered radiation, based on an X-ray device and the protective screen merging into one system via an appropriate interface. After the initial manual positioning, automatic repositioning of the screen is executed, by curving the screen laterally, clockwise or counterclockwise, and then with the upper or lower edge forward. All potential clinical situations were analyzed, considering the need for screen position correction: the semi-automatic solution is designed and realized to follow medical procedure in order to maintain an efficient level of staff radiation protection. Furthermore, the assessment of the occupational radiation dose, provided for screen position optimization, will be included into the radiation dose structural report. With application of the universal interface, the presented solution can be applied not only to newly manufactured ones, but to existing C-arm X-ray devices as well.