Henry Schein® Maxi-Gard® lead-free aprons are made from a lightweight, flexible and recyclable x-radiation protection material, using a mixture of two attenuating elements, antimony and bismuth, in a mixture optimized for minimum area-weight and maximum attenuation in the key diagnostic imaging range of 70 – 100 kV.
- Lead-free
- Lightweight
- Flexible
- 28% lighter than lead-aprons
- Outer covering is made from antimicrobial materials
- Easy to clean with surface disinfectant approved for fabric cleaning
- Backed with a tear-resistant cling fabric
- Blue
“K-Edge Technology”
The lighter weight (lead-vinyl is 28% heavier) results from the use of the two attenuating elements, where the antimony provides more efficient attenuation of that portion of the photon spectrum below the K-edge window of lead (50 - 88 KeV), complemented by the higher Z element bismuth, which is more efficient for stopping higher energy radiation ( > 88 KeV), and also covers the K-edge window of antimony ( < 35 KeV).
Combined with Advanced Polymer Technology
The attenuating elements, in fine powder form, are supported, encapsulated and homogeneously distributed in a tough-but-flexible, high-tech plasticized EVA co-polymer matrix. This EVA polymer carrier was selected by DuPont, the originator of the lightweight concept, as having the best balance of toughness, flexibility, durability and cracking resistance, and is more commonly used for the flexing components of running shoes.
Environmental Benefits.
The lead-free material is not “cross-linked” (or “cured”) and is therefore fully recyclable, and thermally reprocessable, or may be disposed of as a non-hazardous, non-toxic waste, in municipal landfills.
Specifications
Area-weight 5.50 kg/ sq m (10.1 lb/ sq yd) for 0.50 mm Pb equivalence (80-100 kV*)
Protection 0.50 (4-ply), 0.35 (2-ply) and 0.25 (2-ply) mm Pb equivalence *
Transmissions 80 kV 0.50mm 3.4% 0.35mm 7.4% 0.25 mm 14%
(Direct Beam) 100 kV 9 % 17 % 28%
Tolerances +/- 7% (thickness, weight and mm Pb)
*Test Method IEC 1331-1/ EN 61331-1, 80 kV (0.15 mm Cu) & 100 kV (0.25 mm Cu), narrow
*Calibration data by James So, Dept of Radiology, Columbia Univ., NY, NY Spring 2006