Radiation protection system
A method of performing a medical procedure includes providing a radiation-shielding cubicle having an interior defining a medical personnel region and including a first wall having an opening therein, locating the cubicle with respect to an x-ray table so a portion of the x-ray table extends through the opening into the interior of the cubicle, and separating medical personnel from an x-ray emitter disposed outside of the cubicle using the first wall to shield the medical personnel from radiation emitted by the x-ray emitter.
1. A method of performing a medical procedure, said method comprising:
providing a radiation-shielding cubicle having an interior defining a medical personnel region and including a first wall having an opening therein;
locating the cubicle with respect to an x-ray table so a portion of the x-ray table extends through the opening into the interior of the cubicle; and
separating medical personnel from an x-ray emitter disposed outside of the cubicle using the first wall to shield the medical personnel from radiation emitted by the x-ray emitter.
2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising joining the x-ray table to the cubicle using a radiation-shielding flexible interface.
3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said joining the x-ray table to the cubicle using a radiation-shielding flexible interface comprises joining the x-ray table to the first wall using the radiation shielding flexible interface.
4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising sealing the opening in the first wall using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt.
5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising circumferentially joining the x-ray table to the cubicle using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt.
6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising attaching a radiation-shielding screen to the x-ray table so the radiation-shielding screen covers a portion of a patient supported by the x-ray table and covers a portion of a top surface of the x-ray table.
7. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising joining the first wall to the radiation-shielding screen using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt.
8. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the radiation-shielding screen has at least one port for facilitating access to the patient, said method further comprising:
inserting procedural equipment through the port to access the patient with the procedural equipment; and
performing a medical procedure on the patient using the procedural equipment.
9. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising positioning a cloak over the port to create a substantially radiation-resistant seal over the port and around the procedural equipment.
10. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the radiation-shielding screen has at least one port for facilitating at least one of connection and access to controls for at least one of the x-ray table, the x-ray emitter, and a catheterization system monitor, said method further comprising accessing the controls using the port to control at least one of the x-ray table, the x-ray emitter, and the catheterization system monitor.
11. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:
detecting radiation levels within the radiation-shielding cubicle; and
terminating operation of the x-ray emitter when the detected radiation levels are above a predetermined level.
12. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising monitoring portions of the patient located outside the radiation-shielding cubicle from inside the radiation-shielding cubicle using a video camera.
13. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising communicating with the patient from inside the radiation-shielding cubicle using a two-way microphone system.