The present disclosure relates generally to systems for dispensing and storing garments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a system for dispensing, storing, cleaning, and monitoring the use of radiological protective garments.
The use of x-ray imagery is almost ubiquitous in facilities that provide healthcare services. X-ray imagery allows doctors to view the internal structures of patients without conducting invasive surgery. There are a number of techniques that use x-ray radiation in order to obtain images of a patient, such as radiography, computed tomography, and fluoroscopy. While the exact use of x-rays in generating diagnostic quality imaging differs, all of these techniques on some level bombard the patient with x-ray radiation.
While x-ray radiation can be an incredibly useful diagnostic tool, overexposure to x-ray radiation can cause serious harm or death in patients. As such, the use of radiological protective garments has become standard practice whenever a patient is subjected to x-ray radiation.
However, as x-ray imagery is being utilized in increasing amounts, the ability of healthcare facilities to maintain safe and adequate supplies of these radiological protective garments becomes a large challenge. Indeed, as these radiological protective garments are utilized more it is necessary to ensure that they prevent substantially all radiation from traversing the garment. Further, there are regulatory requirements that place restrictions on the use and cleaning of radiological protective garments in healthcare facilities, set forth by organizations such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Department of Health, and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. While beneficial, these regulations result in additional hurdles to providing x-ray imagery to patients.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that can clean radiological protective garments efficiently, track the usage of the radiological protective garments used by healthcare facilities, and check the radiation shielding integrity of the radiological protective garments.
While these units may be suitable for the particular purpose employed, or for general use, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present disclosure as disclosed hereafter.
In the present disclosure, where a document, act or item of knowledge is referred to or discussed, this reference or discussion is not an admission that the document, act or item of knowledge or any combination thereof was at the priority date, publicly available, known to the public, part of common general knowledge or otherwise constitutes prior art under the applicable statutory provisions; or is known to be relevant to an attempt to solve any problem with which the present disclosure is concerned.
While certain aspects of conventional technologies have been discussed to facilitate the present disclosure, no technical aspects are disclaimed and it is contemplated that the claims may encompass one or more of the conventional technical aspects discussed herein.
An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a radiological protective garment system that houses radiological protective garments. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a storage apparatus including upper compartments and lower compartments that receive radiological protective garments including radiological protective aprons, radiological protective glasses, radiological protective gloves, radiological protective sleeves, radiological protective head covers, and radiological protective thyroid shields.
An aspect of an example embodiment in the present disclosure is to provide a radiological protective garment system that effectively cleans radiological protective garments. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a storage apparatus including a cleaning system that mists cleaning liquid onto radiological protective garments stored within the storage apparatus and dries the radiological protective garment for use.
An aspect of an example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a radiological protective garment system that can check the radiation shielding integrity of a radiological protective garment. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a storage apparatus housing an x-ray emitter that emits x-rays at a radiological protective garment and an x-ray detector that detects emitted x-rays that traverse the radiological protective garment.
An aspect of an example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a radiological protective garment system that is capable of tracking the use of radiological protective garments in a facility inventory. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a system including a monitoring system having an ID card and an ID card reader, in which all users are provided an ID card with a unique identifier and in which all radiological protective garments are tracked according to when users scan their ID card with the ID card reader to retrieve or replace one of the radiological protective garments.
An aspect of an example embodiment of the present disclosure is to provide a radiological protective garment system that automates the cleaning process of a radiological protective garment. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a system that monitors when a radiological protective garment is placed therein and automatically initiates the cleaning process of the radiological protective garment for subsequent use.
The present disclosure addresses at least one of the foregoing disadvantages. However, it is contemplated that the present disclosure may prove useful in addressing other problems and deficiencies in a number of technical areas. Therefore, the claims should not necessarily be construed as limited to addressing any of the particular problems or deficiencies discussed hereinabove. To the accomplishment of the above, this disclosure may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being part of the disclosure.
In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.
The present disclosure now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show various example embodiments. However, the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure is thorough, complete and fully conveys the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.
The storage apparatus 12 includes a front side 12A, a rear side 12B, the front side 12A opposite the rear side 12B, a first side 12C, a second side 12D, the first side 12C opposite the second side 12D, a top side 12E, a bottom side 12F, the top side 12E opposite the bottom side 12F, an upper end 12G, and a lower end 12H, the upper end 12G adjacent to the top side 12E, and the lower end 12H adjacent to the bottom side 12F. The storage apparatus 12 comprises a plurality of upper compartments 18 disposed in the upper end 12G and a plurality of lower compartments 20 extending longitudinally from the upper end 12G to the lower end 12H. The upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20 are positioned laterally across the storage apparatus 12 from the first side 12C to the second side 12D. The upper compartments 18 are disposed adjacent to the lower compartments 20 and are aligned along a longitudinal length of the storage apparatus 12. In some embodiments, the upper compartments 18 are disposed above the lower compartments 20. In other embodiments, the upper compartments 18 include the same width and depth as the lower compartments 20.
The monitoring system 14 comprises an ID card reader 22, an ID card 24 having a unique identifier corresponding to a radiological protective garment, a memory unit, and a processor. In some embodiments, the memory unit and the processor are housed within the ID card reader. In other embodiments, the memory unit and the processor are remote to the ID card reader 22 and communicate with ID card reader 22 via a computer network such as the Internet.
The monitoring system 14 is positioned adjacent to the storage apparatus 12. For example, in one embodiment, the monitoring system 14 is attached to the first side of the storage apparatus 12 for convenient access by a user. The monitoring system 14 keeps track of a particular ID card used, when particular ID cards are used, and the status of one or more radiological protective garments associated with the ID card.
Referring now to
Each of the lower compartments 20 includes a first side 20A, a second side 20B, the first side 20A opposite the second side 20B, an upper end 20C, and a lower end 20D, the upper end 20C opposite the lower end 20D. Each of the lower compartments 20 is configured to receive at least one of the radiological protective garments 16 including a radiological protective apron 16F, the radiological protective glasses 16A, the radiological protective gloves 16B, the radiological protective sleeves 16C, the radiological protective head cover 16D, and the radiological protective thyroid shield 16E between the first side 20A and the second side 20B.
The upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20 are separated by a divider wall 21 disposed within the storage apparatus 12. The divider wall 21 is positioned in the upper end 12G of the storage apparatus 12 and extends from the first side 12C (see
The upper compartments 18 and the lowers compartments 20 each comprise a door 26, a status light 28 in communication with monitoring system, and a lock 30 for securing the upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20 in a closed configuration. The door 26 is disposed on the front side 12A of the storage apparatus 12 and configured to provide access to each of the upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20. The door 26 comprises a vent 32 to facilitate drying following the radiological protective garment cleaning process described hereinbelow. In some embodiments, the door 26 comprises lead to prevent x-ray radiation from traversing the door 26 during the radiological protective garment testing process described hereinbelow. In other embodiments, the door 26 may be made of clear leaded glass so that items stored in the upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20 may be viewed by a user, while still preventing x-ray radiation from traversing the door 26.
The lock 30 is coupled to the door 26 and is configured to secure the door 26 in a closed position, thereby preventing access to the upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20. The status light 28 is coupled to each of the upper compartments 18 and the lower compartments 20. The lock 30 and the status light 28 are in electronic communication with the monitoring system.
In embodiments, the system 10 comprises a RFID reader 34 in communication with the monitoring system 14 (see
Referring to
The drying apparatus 42 dries the radiological protective garment 16 after the radiological protective garment 16 has been steamed/misted for subsequent use. In some embodiments, the cleaning system 38 comprises a steaming/misting nozzle 40A disposed on the first side 20A of one of the lower compartments 20 and a steaming/misting nozzle 40B disposed on the second side 20B of the lower compartment 20 so as to mist a first side of a radiological protective garment 16 and a second side of a radiological protective garment 16. The drying apparatus 42 comprises a dryer 42A disposed in the upper end 20C of the lower compartment 20 and a dryer 42B disposed in the lower end 20D of the lower compartment 20. The lower compartment 20 includes a rod 43 extending laterally across the upper end 20C of the lower compartment 20 from the first side 20A to the second side 20B of the lower compartment 20. The rod 43 enables a user to hang the radiological protective garment 16 in the lower compartment 20 while being cleaned and/or dried.
Referring now to
In embodiments, the x-ray emitter 44 and the x-ray detector 46 are disposed within a lower compartment 20. The x-ray emitter 44 is disposed on the first side 20A of the lower compartment 20 so as to be positioned on a first side of the radiological protective garment 16 when the radiological protective garment 16 is positioned inside the lower compartment 20. The x-ray detector 46 is disposed on the second side 20B of the lower compartment 20 so as to be positioned on a second side of the radiological protective garment 16 when the radiological protective garment 16 is positioned inside the lower compartment 20. In this way, the x-ray emitter 44 can emits x-rays at the first side of the radiological protective garment 16 and the x-ray detector 46 can detects x-rays that have traversed the radiological protective garment 16. The x-ray emitter 44 and the x-ray detector 46 move longitudinally along the lower compartment, in tandem, to scan the radiological protective garment 16 longitudinally along the radiological protective garment 16. The x-ray emitter 44 and the x-ray detector 46 move in between the upper compartments and between the lower compartments 20 to scan a radiological protective garment 16 disposed within one of the upper compartments or within one of the lower compartments 20.
Referring now to
The system 10 also comprises a track 52 disposed within the chamber 48 and a c-arm imaging scanner intensifier 54 disposed on the track 52. The c-arm imaging scanner intensifier 54 includes the x-ray emitter 44 and the x-ray detector 46 and travels along the track 52 between the upper compartments and between the lower compartments 20 to scan a radiological protective garment 16 disposed therein. In embodiments, the track 52 is disposed longitudinally along the longitudinal length of the chamber 48.
The system 10 further comprises a gate 56 disposed in the partition 50 at each of the upper compartments and the lower compartments 20. The gate 56 provides access to the upper compartments and the lower compartments 20 from the chamber 48, thereby coupling the chamber 48 to the upper compartments and the lower compartments 20. In this way, the c-arm imaging scanner intensifier 54 can travel from the chamber 48 through the gate 56 to an upper compartment or a lower compartment 20 to scan a radiological protective garment 16 disposed therein. In embodiments, the system 10 comprises an auxiliary door 58 (see
In some embodiments, the status light includes multiple lights, each light having a unique color, and each color corresponding to a state of cleaning. For example, in one embodiment, no illuminated lights corresponds to an empty compartment, a red light corresponds to a dirty radiological protective garment being in the compartment, a yellow light corresponds to a compartment that is currently cleaning a garment, and a green light corresponds to a compartment being occupied with a cleaned garment. This is just one example of how the status light could be used to visually indicate to a user the state of a compartment's contents. The monitoring system logs the radiological protective garment as being used an additional time and will timestamp that log. The monitoring system is capable of determining the time between a radiological protective garment being cleaned and checked out. This will help a user determine the volume of a particular radiological protective garment and will help users manage their inventory of radiological protective garments.
It is understood that when an element is referred hereinabove as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present.
Moreover, any components or materials can be formed from a same, structurally continuous piece or separately fabricated and connected.
It is further understood that, although ordinal terms, such as, “first,” “second,” “third,” are used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, “a first element,” “component,” “region,” “layer” or “section” discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings herein.
Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, are used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It is understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device can be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.
Example embodiments are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments described herein should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated herein, but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present claims.
In conclusion, herein is presented a radiology garment dispensing, cleaning, and tracking system. The disclosure is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. Such variations are contemplated as being a part of the present disclosure.
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/221,788, filed on Dec. 17, 2018, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/246,022, filed on Aug. 24, 2016, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/212,428, filed on Aug. 31, 2015, which are relied upon and incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The entire disclosure of any publication or patent document mentioned herein is entirely incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15246022 | Aug 2016 | US |
Child | 16221788 | US |
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Parent | 16221788 | Dec 2018 | US |
Child | 16919492 | US |