In 1971, Godfrey Hounsfield devised the first CT (computerized tomography) scan equipment. He combined an x-ray machine and a computer to take pictures of the living brain. His Nobel Prize-winning invention detected a brain tumor in a 41-year-old female patient. In 1975, the first whole-body scanner was developed, which completely revolutionized diagnostic medicine. Modern CT […]
Radiation lead glasses protect your vulnerable eyes from harmful exposure. These delicate organs are four times more sensitive than other body parts. Over time, radiation doses accumulate and can cause early-onset cataracts, eye cancers, and other diseases. Such avoidable conditions are potentially blinding! Specialized eyewear is essential to radiologic professionals who work with x-rays and […]
One of the most commonly asked questions is, “What lead thickness do I need for radiation protection?” There is no hard and fast rule, as adequate shielding must account for several variables such as length of exposure, distance from the radiation source, and the intensity and type of radiation. The harmful effects of ionizing radiation […]
Historically, radiation glass manufacturing lagged behind other developments in radiation shielding. This was likely due to glass’ complex chemistry and difficulty of characterization. However, with the rise of applications such as fiber optics, lasers, and photosensitivity, much research work is being done on the interaction of electromagnetic radiation and glass. Advanced glass products now protect […]
If you’re a radiology professional, it’s important to know when to use a thyroid shield to protect yourself and your patients. The thyroid gland influences nearly every metabolic process in the body. It’s also highly susceptible to radiation-induced cancer. The CDC reports that approximately 60,000 cases are diagnosed annually, predominantly in women. Sadly, more than […]
Barrier Technologies® is always at the cutting edge of materials science. We realized that magnetic closures were the perfect option for our radiation-protective apparel. Our research and development team designed and patented MagnaGuard™, our unique magnetic closure system. Magnetic closures are growing in popularity as they are a quick, easy way to fasten clothing. They […]
The thyroid is a delicate gland that is extremely sensitive to the effects of radiation. This butterfly-shaped gland is located at the front of the neck and wrapped around the windpipe. It’s considered to be the master gland of metabolism, as it releases vital hormones that influence every single cell in your body. Functions controlled […]
As human knowledge and technology progress, radiation is used more extensively in medicine and many other industries. Accordingly, there has been a surge in research into radiation-shielding materials. Amazing advances in the metallurgical and material sciences fields have produced a variety of new and interesting attenuating substances that guard against the harmful effects of ionizing […]
As new and more complex x-ray devices are developed, so new and more advanced x-ray lead shields become necessary. Recent tightening of standards for radiation exposure dosage mean that more effective shielding is essential. Although new shielding materials are becoming more prevalent, lead is still the gold standard for protection against the harmful effects of […]
When choosing an attenuating material for radiation shielding, the most important characteristic is high density. Tungsten (atomic symbol W) has many advantages over the lead. It’s non-toxic and easily recycled, thus it poses no risk to people or the environment. It can also be reduced to a layer a fraction of the thickness of lead […]
