scholarly journals Development of a Lightweight Tungsten Shielding Fiber That Can Be Used for Improving the Performance of Medical Radiation Shields

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (14) ◽  
pp. 6475
Author(s):  
Seon-Chil Kim
Keyword(s):  
Scattered Radiation ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Radiation Shielding ◽  
Shielding Effectiveness ◽  
Tungsten Fiber ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Medical Institutions ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
Dose Radiation

Radiation exposure in medical institutions is mainly due to low doses. Low-dose radiation mainly means scattered radiation, and such scattered radiation can be shielded with a lightweight shielding suit. In this study, the shielding performance of shielding fabrics woven by winding polyethylene (PE) yarn around a 30 μm tungsten wire was evaluated. To improve the shielding performance, an air pressure dispersion process of coating tungsten nanopowder on the fiber was developed. The radiation shielding effectiveness of the shielding fibers with and without dispersed tungsten nanopowder were compared by measuring the spatial dose inside the diagnostic X-ray imaging room of a medical institution. The results of the experiment confirmed that the fabric coated with tungsten nanopowder improved the shielding performance of the general tungsten fiber by approximately 15% and provided relatively effective low-dose radiation shielding at approximately 1.2 m of the X-ray imaging equipment. This study shows that tungsten fiber can be helpful in manufacturing lightweight shielding clothing for protection from scattered radiation in medical institutions.

scholarly journals X-Ray Hesitancy: Patients’ Radiophobic Concerns Over Medical X-rays

Dose-Response ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 155932582095954 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul A. Oakley ◽  
Deed E. Harrison
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Background Radiation ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Adaptive Responses ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
X Ray Imaging ◽  
The Family ◽  
Diagnostic Radiation ◽  
Dose Radiation

All too often the family physician, orthopedic surgeon, dentist or chiropractor is met with radiophobic concerns about X-ray imaging in the clinical setting. These concerns, however, are unwarranted fears based on common but ill-informed and perpetuated ideology versus current understanding of the effects of low-dose radiation exposures. Themes of X-ray hesitancy come in 3 forms: 1. All radiation exposures are harmful (i.e. carcinogenic); 2. Radiation exposures are cumulative; 3. Children are more susceptible to radiation. Herein we address these concerns and find that low-dose radiation activates the body’s adaptive responses and leads to reduced cancers. Low-dose radiation is not cumulative as long as enough time (e.g. 24 hrs) passes prior to a repeated exposure, and any damage is repaired, removed, or eliminated. Children have more active immune systems; the literature shows children are no more affected than adults by radiation exposures. Medical X-rays present a small, insignificant addition to background radiation exposure that is not likely to cause harm. Doctors and patients alike should be better informed of the lack of risks from diagnostic radiation and the decision to image should rely on the best evidence, unique needs of the patient, and the expertise of the physician—not radiophobia.

scholarly journals Double-layered fiber for lightweight flexible clothing providing shielding from low-dose natural radiation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Seon-Chil Kim ◽  
Jun Sik Son
Keyword(s):  
Low Dose ◽  
Layered Composite ◽  
Radiation Shielding ◽  
Flight Attendants ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Natural Radiation ◽  
Composite Yarn ◽  
Materials Used ◽  
Fiber Fabric ◽  
Dose Radiation

AbstractNatural and medical radiation are the most frequent sources of daily low-dose radiation exposure for the general public, but these radiation levels are generally acceptable. Among various occupations, aviation crew members and medical workers are exposed to high levels of radiation from scattered rays. This study focused on developing clothing for shielding aviation crew members from natural radiation during air travel. Materials were selected considering their radiation-shielding properties. A tungsten double-layered composite yarn and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fiber fabric containing BaSO4 were manufactured. The characteristics and shielding performances of the products were analyzed. Prototypes of a protective scarf (for shielding the thyroid gland) and apron (for shielding the torso) for flight attendants were produced. A lightweight fabric was produced that neither restricts the movement of the wearer nor causes them skin discomfort. The shielding performances of the tungsten composite and PET fiber fabrics containing BaSO4 were 0.018 mmPb and 0.03 mmPb, respectively, demonstrating low-dose shielding that may be useful for protecting aviation crew members from scattered rays. The characteristics of the developed fibers are comparable to those of materials used in clothing production; therefore, low-dose radiation-shielding clothing could be manufactured for use in aviation, medical, and other industries.

scholarly journals Treatment of Cancer and Inflammation With Low-Dose Ionizing Radiation

Dose-Response ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 155932581769753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuji Kojima ◽  
Mitsutoshi Tsukimoto ◽  
Noriko Shimura ◽  
Hironobu Koga ◽  
Akishisa Murata ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Ulcerative Colitis ◽  
Bone Metastasis ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Case Reports ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radiation Hormesis ◽  
Irradiation Treatment ◽  
Dose Radiation

There is considerable evidence from experimental studies in animals, as well as from clinical reports, that low-dose radiation hormesis is effective for the treatment of cancer and ulcerative colitis. In this study, we present 3 case reports that support the clinical efficacy of low-dose radiation hormesis in patients with these diseases. First, a patient with prostate cancer who had undergone surgical resection showed a subsequent increase in prostate-specific antigen (PSA). His PSA value started decreasing immediately after the start of repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation treatment and remained low thereafter. Second, a patient with prostate cancer with bone metastasis was treated with repeated low-dose X-ray irradiation. His PSA level decreased to nearly normal within 3 months after starting the treatment and remained at the low level after the end of hormesis treatment. His bone metastasis almost completely disappeared. Third, a patient with ulcerative colitis showed a slow initial response to repeated low-dose irradiation treatment using various modalities, including drinking radon-containing water, but within 8 months, his swelling and bleeding had completely disappeared. After 1 year, the number of bowel movements had become normal. Interest in the use of radiation hormesis in clinical practice is increasing, and we hope that these case reports will encourage further clinical investigations.

scholarly journals Analysis of liver damage from radon, X-ray, or alcohol treatments in mice using a self-organizing map

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-40 ◽  
Author(s):  
Norie Kanzaki ◽  
Takahiro Kataoka ◽  
Reo Etani ◽  
Kaori Sasaoka ◽  
Akihiro Kanagawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Liver Damage ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Self Organizing Map ◽  
X Rays ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Radon Inhalation ◽  
Dose Radiation ◽  
Self Organizing

Abstract In our previous studies, we found that low-dose radiation inhibits oxidative stress–induced diseases due to increased antioxidants. Although these effects of low-dose radiation were demonstrated, further research was needed to clarify the effects. However, the analysis of oxidative stress is challenging, especially that of low levels of oxidative stress, because antioxidative substances are intricately involved. Thus, we proposed an approach for analysing oxidative liver damage via use of a self-organizing map (SOM)—a novel and comprehensive technique for evaluating hepatic and antioxidative function. Mice were treated with radon inhalation, irradiated with X-rays, or subjected to intraperitoneal injection of alcohol. We evaluated the oxidative damage levels in the liver from the SOM results for hepatic function and antioxidative substances. The results showed that the effects of low-dose irradiation (radon inhalation at a concentration of up to 2000 Bq/m3, or X-irradiation at a dose of up to 2.0 Gy) were comparable with the effect of alcohol administration at 0.5 g/kg bodyweight. Analysis using the SOM to discriminate small changes was made possible by its ability to ‘learn’ to adapt to unexpected changes. Moreover, when using a spherical SOM, the method comprehensively examined liver damage by radon, X-ray, and alcohol. We found that the types of liver damage caused by radon, X-rays, and alcohol have different characteristics. Therefore, our approaches would be useful as a method for evaluating oxidative liver damage caused by radon, X-rays and alcohol.

scholarly journals Results from a real-time dosimetry study during left atrial ablations performed with ultra-low dose radiation settings

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Schreiber ◽  
N. Kähler ◽  
S. Biewener ◽  
V. Tscholl ◽  
P. Nagel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Dose ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Pulmonary Vein ◽  
Scattered Radiation ◽  
Left Atrial ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Frame Rate ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
Atrial Ablation ◽  
Dose Radiation

Abstract Background Three-dimensional mapping systems and the use of ultra-low dose radiation protocols have supported minimization of radiation dose during left atrial ablation procedures. By using optimal shielding, scattered radiation reaching the operator can be further reduced. This prospective study was designed to determine the remaining operator radiation exposure during left atrial catheter ablations using real-time dosimetry. Methods Radiation dose was recorded using real-time digital dosimetry badges outside the lead apron during 201 consecutive left atrial fibrillation ablation procedures. All procedures were performed using the same X‑ray system (Siemens Healthineers Artis dBc; Siemens Healthcare AG, Erlangen, Germany) programmed with ultra-low dose radiation settings including a low frame rate (two frames per second), maximum copper filtration, and an optimized detector dose. To reduce scattered radiation to the operators, table-suspended lead curtains, ceiling-suspended leaded plastic shields, and radiation-absorbing shields on the patient were positioned in an overlapping configuration. Results The 201 procedures included 139 (69%) pulmonary vein isolations (PVI) (20 cryoballoon ablations, 119 radiofrequency ablations, with 35 cases receiving additional ablation of the cavotricuspid isthmus) and 62 (31%) PVI plus further left atrial substrate ablation. Mean radiation dose measured as dose area product for all procedures was 128.09 ± 187.87 cGy ∙ cm2 with a mean fluoroscopy duration of 9.4 ± 8.7 min. Real-time dosimetry showed very low average operator doses of 0.52 ± 0.10 µSv. A subanalysis of 51 (25%) procedures showed that the radiation burden for the operator was highest during pulmonary vein angiography. Conclusion The use of ultra-low dose radiation protocols in combination with optimized shielding results in extremely low scattered radiation reaching the operator.

scholarly journals Simultaneous Multiple Liver Metastasis Treated with Pencil Beam Proton Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy (SBRT)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil K. Taunk ◽  
Brendan Burgdorf ◽  
Lei Dong ◽  
Edgar Ben-Josef
Keyword(s):  
Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Normal Liver ◽  
Pencil Beam ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Multiple Liver Metastasis ◽  
Beam Proton ◽  
Interplay Effect ◽  
Dose Radiation

Abstract Compared with photon stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) plans that may have to use many more penetrating x-ray beams for each isocenter, proton SBRT with ultrahypofractionated doses use fewer beam angles and offer significantly reduced low-dose radiation bath to normal liver tissue. We demonstrate techniques to deliver safe and effective proton SBRT, where planning and organ motion complexity further increased with multiple liver lesions. For treatment planning, we recommend robust and logical beam angles, avoiding devices and encouraging entry perpendicular to the dominant motion, as well as volumetric repainting to mitigate the interplay effect to clinically acceptable levels. This report highlights the significant technical challenges with ultrahypofractionated proton pencil beam scanning liver therapy, how they are managed, and the effectiveness of this treatment.

Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as Novel X-ray Enhancer for Low-Dose Radiation Therapy

2014 ◽  
Vol 118 (23) ◽  
pp. 6159-6166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Klein ◽  
Anja Sommer ◽  
Luitpold V. R. Distel ◽  
Jean-Louis Hazemann ◽  
Wolfgang Kröner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Iron Oxide ◽  
Iron Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Low Dose ◽  
Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide ◽  
Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Oxide Nanoparticles ◽  
Low Dose Radiation ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Dose Radiation
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