As the year winds down and thoughts turn toward the future, it’s a good time to take stock — to reassert who we are, what we’re doing, and the goals we intend to achieve. We’ve come a long way since building the first prototype of a technology that is revolutionizing the way we protect medical staff from hazardous scatter radiation. Typically, these are cardiac catheterization labs, where motion fluoroscopy is used to image the heart and circulatory system in real time. This allows an interventional cardiologist to guide their interventional tools with precision to exactly where they are needed.
The power of motion fluoroscopy is truly amazing, but it comes at a cost: exposure to ionizing scatter radiation that can harm the health of doctors, nurses, technicians, and other staff who work long hours in this environment. Excess exposure can result in brain and breast cancers, cataracts, thyroid disease, cognitive degradation, and risk to developing fetuses. Traditionally, the only protection was heavy lead apparel and static lead shielding, but these are often difficult to use and can also cause problems. Fixed lead shields can impede workflow, which will ultimately impact full adoption. Heavy lead aprons, however, worn over a career in the Cath lab, can cause debilitating and costly orthopedic injuries. Both scatter radiation and the unsatisfying methods to protect against it have been problems for too long, but they are what lit the fires of Radiaction Medical as a healthcare innovator and drove the development of our flagship product, the Radiaction Dynamic Smart Shield system.
RADIACTION’S MISSION
Our performance goal as a company is to protect medical staff from scatter radiation without obstructing their workflow. Our technology is truly dynamic, we move with the physician, and we go where the detector goes. It attaches to a fluoroscope’s C-arm and deploys robotically at the push of a button. The goal is to stop the radiation scatter at its source. This drastically limits the amount of radiation that can escape, so everyone in the room is protected by an average of 90% more than outdated lead shields and apparel alone. With FDA Class II certification in place, the system’s safety and effectiveness are assured.
The Radiaction Dynamic Smart Shield is equipped with advanced contact prevention sensors, and it is compatible with all angulations, C-arm movements, various patient sizes, and table adjustments without disrupting workflow. We’ve recently partnered with Burlington Medical to offer modern, comfortable EtherealShield aprons that provide the same protection at only a quarter of the weight of traditional aprons. When used in conjunction with the Radiaction Smart Shield, the combination yields the highest level of protection currently available, without compromising a cath lab’s workflow.
CURRENT FOCUS
Most of our attention lately has been on perfecting and releasing our second generation Radiaction Smart Shield. With several enhancements over our Gen 1.5 model, our latest platform represents the most dynamic technology that will adapt to almost all workflow in any interventional suite.
With one-touch programmable preset buttons, quick adjustments are easy, and patient access is prioritized during all interventional procedures. With a streamlined profile, it does not compromise image quality or interfere with C-arm performance, allowing for faster and more efficient case turnover. Gen 2’s new interior lighting improves visibility, and its automated and independent segments allow access from any angle. In emergencies, the Radiaction Smart Shield retracts in seconds, enabling immediate access to the patient.
UPCOMING CONFERENCES
If you’d like to experience the Radiaction Dynamic Smart Shield firsthand, we invite you to join us at the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics (TCT) conference at booth #2255 in the Moscone Center, San Francisco, from October 26 to 28, 2025.
We’ll also be at McCormick Place in Chicago from November 30 through December 4 for this year’s meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA). Please visit us at booth #2783 for a demonstration of our latest revolutionary scatter radiation protection technology.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
In 2026, we plan to roll out additional advancements to the Radiaction Dynamic Smart Shield. The Generation 3 system will feature a slimmer, integrated profile, making C-arm movement easier and seamless. The sleek new design will transform the device from an accessory into a cohesive part of the imaging system. We’re even improving the environment within the shield so that every patient can relax in a calmer, more soothing place.
Committed to our core mission and continually seeking ways to improve, Radiaction Medical is paving the way for a safer, more effective interventional suite and a new standard in scatter radiation protection. If you’d like to learn more about how the Radiaction Dynamic Smart Shield can serve your clinical needs, meet us for a demonstration at the upcoming TCT or RSNA conferences, or contact us directly.