Abstract: A method for quantitatively testing a radiation shielding garment to determine its radiation shielding integrity, utilizing a fluoroscopic system, the method comprising measuring the amount of radiation passing through the garment at a particular location believed to be possibly damaged; measuring the amount of radiation at one or more locations of the garment believed to be intact; determining the average undamaged transmission if more than one location is tested; and comparing the two values of transmitted radiation to determine whether the first location was damaged beyond an acceptable degree.

Abstract: A radiation blocking shied for the hands of a clinical operator of fluoroscopic equipment during extended surgery or diagnostic testing.

Abstract: A rollable structure for suspending a heavy radiation protective garment so as to allow easy movement in a clinical environment subject to exposure to x-radiation. The structure comprises a vertically extending frame that is attachable to a user, and that permits the user to move freely around the clinical environment and to perform clinical duties without having to bear the weight of the shielding garment. The frame is vertically adjustable, and supports upper shield support surfaces for supporting the shoulder portions of a radiation protection apron. The upper support surfaces extend outwardly from the vertical frame. A rollable lower support frame for the vertical support frame is provided that includes a first lower frame extending forwardly from the vertically extending frame. A second lower frame for supporting the vertically extending frame is located at a position other than forwardly of the vertically extending frame. A pair of casters is provided at the lower end of each of the lower frames.

Abstract: A thin, light-weight, flexible sheet product useful for the manufacture of radiation attenuation garments. The sheet product is a polymeric material and includes a heavy loading of high molecular weight metal particles. The sheet product is formed from a polymer latex dispersion into which a high molecular weight metal particles are dispersed, where the latex retains a sufficiently low viscosity to be pourable and allow casting of the sheet product.

Abstract: A thin, light-weight, flexible sheet product useful for the manufacture of radiation attenuation garments. The sheet product is a polymeric material and includes a heavy loading of high molecular weight metal particles. The sheet product is formed from a polymer latex dispersion into which a high molecular weight metal particles are dispersed, where the latex retains a sufficiently low viscosity to be pourable and allow casting of the sheet product.

Abstract: The invention provides metal loaded polymeric sheet material suitable for the preparation of protective garments for the protection of workers or subjects exposed to x-radiation.

Abstract: A method for producing a metal-containing transparent polymer by the reaction of a metal carboxylate, with a clear setting resin system comprising a thermosetting resin and a curing agent. The reaction occurs in a temperature in the range of from about 0.degree. to about 100.degree. C. under conditions which prevent air from being entrapped in the mixture, either during mixing of the reagents or during reaction. The metal carboxylate contains from about 20 to about 60 weight percent of metal. The reagents react for a time sufficient to form a transparent polymer. The resins include preferably epoxies, polyesters, polyurethane, polyisocyanurate, polyether sulfones, polyimides, and mixtures of two or more of these thermoset polymers. The final metal-containing transparent polymer preferably contains at least 15% by weight of the metal. Preferred metals include antimony, barium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, molybdenum, tungsten, ranadium, and zirconium.

Abstract: A flexible radiation shield apron is disclosed. A characterizing feature of the apron resides in the provision of an encasing fabric sleeve unconnected to the sheets providing radiation resistance, in the areas generally below the waist of the wearer whereby such portions of the apron readily bend with the movements of the wearer. Preferably the sheets providing radiation protection are separated at their peripheries by portions of the encasing fabric sleeve which intrudes between the perimeters of the sheets below the waist further to increase suppleness.

Abstract: A viewing device for X-ray films or the like automatically masks the areas of the viewing screen not in registry with the film to be viewed responsive to the insertion of a film. The device includes a dimension sensing mechanism which aligns a selected mask with a positioned film automatically in accordance with the sensed dimension.