Radiation shielding garment with modular back panel and expandable portions

A radiation shielding apparatus, comprising:

• a front portion configured to cover a torso of a user, the front portion including a radiation shielding material configured to attenuate radiation;
• a back portion connected to the front portion, the back portion including:
• a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern;
• at least one expandable portion having a plurality of holes;
• and
• an expandable mechanism extending through the plurality of holes, the expandable mechanism configured to expand with pressure applied by the user;
• and
• a detachable back panel configured to removably attach to the back portion, the detachable back panel comprising a laminated structure having three layers including an outer layer, an inner layer, and a core material arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer, the core material comprising a radiation shielding material.

A radiation shielding apparatus, comprising:

• a front portion configured to cover a torso of a user, the front portion including a radiation shielding material configured to attenuate radiation;
• a back portion connected to the front portion, the back portion including:
• a plurality of openings arranged in a pattern;
• at least one expandable portion having a plurality of holes;
• and
• an expandable mechanism extending through the plurality of holes, the expandable mechanism configured to expand with pressure applied by the user;
• and
• a side opening positioned along a side of the radiation shielding apparatus, the side opening configured to allow the user to don and doff the radiation shielding apparatus from a side of the user.

A radiation shielding garment, comprising:

• a single laminated piece configured to cover a torso of a user, the single laminated piece including:
• an outer layer forming an exterior surface of the garment;
• an inner layer forming an interior surface of the garment;
• and
• a core material arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer, the core material comprising a radiation shielding material configured to attenuate radiation;
• a left front portion and a right front portion forming a front coverage area of the garment;
• a left shoulder portion connected to the left front portion and a right shoulder portion connected to the right front portion;
• an outside rear panel connected to the front coverage area, the outside rear panel including an adjustable opening configured to accommodate users ranging in height from approximately 5 feet to approximately 6 feet or greater;
• an inside rear panel configured to attach to the outside rear panel, the inside rear panel including side radiation shielding regions configured to protect side body areas of the user;
• and
• a closing mechanism configured to secure the garment around the user.