Abstract: A radio-opaque film with a laminate structure includes one or more layers of radio-opaque material between a pair of containment layers. Each radio-opaque layer may comprise particles of radio-opaque material and a binder, which holds the particles of radio-opaque material together. One or both of the containment layers may impart the radio-opaque film with paper-like or cloth-like characteristics. Alternatively, a sheet of paper-like or cloth-like material may be adhered to one or both of the containment layers. Methods for manufacturing radio-opaque films are also disclosed, as are systems in which radio-opaque films are used.

Abstract: A radio-opaque film with a laminate structure includes one or more layers of radio-opaque material between a pair of containment layers. Each radio-opaque layer may comprise particles of radio-opaque material and a binder, which holds the particles of radio-opaque material together. One or both of the containment layers may impart the radio-opaque film with paper-like or cloth-like characteristics. Alternatively, a sheet of paper-like or cloth-like material may be adhered to one or both of the containment layers. Methods for manufacturing radio-opaque films are also disclosed, as are systems in which radio-opaque films are used.

Abstract: Radiation shields and radiation shielding systems for attenuating ionizing radiation include two or more attenuating elements, such as layers. The two or more attenuating elements may include different attenuating materials. The two or more attenuating elements may be configured to attenuate ionizing radiation differently than one another. In some embodiments, different attenuating elements may be configured for use with different energies or ranges of energies of ionizing radiation. The concurrent use of two or more layers or other attenuating elements may optimize the ability of a radiation shield to attenuating ionizing radiation. Systems and methods for attenuating ionizing radiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: A radiation shield, which may attenuate nuclear radiation or ionizing particles, may include a non-toxic, radioactivity-attenuating material based on an element or an elemental species having an atomic number of 56 or more. Examples of such materials include barium sulfate and bismuth oxide. A radiation shield may include two or more different radioactivity-attenuating materials, which may attenuate different types of nuclear radiation or ionizing particles, or attenuate different energy ranges of nuclear radiation or ionizing particles. Different radioactivity-attenuating materials may be carried by different layers of the radiation shield. Radiation shields with at least partially superimposed layers are also disclosed. Adjacent layers of such a radiation shield may be able to move longitudinally relative to one another, or slide somewhat relative to each other.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems and methods for tracking medical equipment, or one or more medical devices, such as radio-opaque shields, are disclosed. Use of the medical device(s) may be tracked. Withdrawal of the medical device(s) from service for maintenance, other service and/or validation may be tracked. When a tracked medical device comprises a radio-opaque shield, the cumulative exposure of the medical device or an individual or object shielded by the medical device to ionizing radiation may be tracked, as may the cumulative amount of ionizing radiation attenuated by the medical device. Methods for actively or passively tracking one or more medical devices until the arrival of a time for a predetermined, or scheduled, event are also disclosed, as are methods for performing predetermined events.

Abstract: Radiation shields and radiation shielding systems for attenuating ionizing radiation include two or more attenuating elements, such as layers. The two or more attenuating elements may include different attenuating materials. The two or more attenuating elements may be configured to attenuate ionizing radiation differently than one another. In some embodiments, different attenuating elements may be configured for use with different energies or ranges of energies of ionizing radiation. The concurrent use of two or more layers or other attenuating elements may optimize the ability of a radiation shield to attenuating ionizing radiation. Systems and methods for attenuating ionizing radiation are also disclosed.

Abstract: Shields that attenuate ionizing radiation (e.g., x-rays, gamma rays, etc.) include outer layers that minimize soiling. Removable shells that minimize soiling of shields for attenuating ionizing radiation are also disclosed. The soil-minimizing outer layers and shells may be formed from materials that resist soiling, that counteract soiling, or from which soiling may be readily removed. Methods for minimizing soiling of radio-opaque shields are also disclosed.

Abstract: Wearable radio-opaque shields may be formed from relatively low-cost materials, which may include a non-toxic radio-opaque material. The use of such materials may render the wearable radio-opaque shields suitable for limited use or even for single use. The useful life of a wearable radio-opaque shield may be extended, and hygiene improved, by way of a liner configured for assembly with the wearable radio-opaque shield. Methods for using and disposing of wearable radio-opaque shields and liners are also disclosed.