GE Healthcare
Senographe DS
Revision 1
Service Information and Procedures Class A 2385072-16-8EN
Pre-Installation System Requirements
Page no. 339
Chapter 4
Chap-Pre-Requirements.fm
8.
PLANNING FOR RADIATION PROTECTION
8-1. Radiation Protection - General
Because the X-ray equipment produces radiation, the purchaser must take special precautions or make
special site modifications. The General Electric Company does not make specific recommendations
regarding radiation protection. It is the purchasers responsibility to consult a radiation physicist for advice
on radiation protection in X-ray rooms.
8-2. Radiation Shielding - Operators
Operators must remain in an area protected against radiation when X-ray exposures are made. This
means that X-ray controls (X-ray Console) must be mounted in such a way that they can only be used
while the Operator remains in a protected area.
To meet European Regulations (
Directive Euratom 96 29)
, the limit value for the whole-body equivalent
dose must not exceed 20 mSv per year. For other non-European countries, consult your local regula-
tions for the dose limit value.
The X-ray Console must be mounted behind either an integrated radiation shield or behind a free-stand-
ing radiation shield.
•
The integrated radiation shield supplied with the Senographe system is 700 mm wide, and attached
directly to the Control Station. Two versions of the integrated radiation shield exist, as follows:
-
Lemerpax, which is 9 mm (0.35”) thick and has a lead thickness equivalence of 0.3 mm (0.012”)
at 49 kV.
-
Mavig, which is 6 mm (0.24”) thick and has a lead thickness equivalence of 0.5 mm (0.020”) at
35 kV.
Note:
The Mavig radiation sheild is not available in China.
In the case of the integrated radiation shield, the X-ray Console must be mounted on the Control Sta-
tion, behind the integrated radiation shield.
•
For installations that require wider shields or shields with a greater lead thickness equivalence than
that provided by the integrated radiation shield, GE Healthcare provide free-standing radiation
shields with widths of 705, 1470, or 2235 mm (27.76, 57.88, or 88 inches). These optional radiation
shields have a lead thickness equivalence of 1 mm (0.04") (see Illustration 5 on
). In this
case, the X-ray Console must be mounted on the framework of the free standing radiation shield,
behind the radiation shield.
Other forms of protection can be used, in particular structural or custom-made shielding.
Note:
If other forms of protection are used, the Senographe system is still delivered with either an inte-
grated or free-standing radiation screen.
Note:
Radiation Shields supplied by General Electric have toughened glass. If the customer requires a
separate free-standing Radiation Shield, it must be made with toughened glass.
