A novel robotic radiation shielding device for electrophysiologic procedures: A prospective study

A robotic Radiaction Shielding System (RSS) was developed to provide a full-body protection to all medical personnel during fluoroscopy-guided procedures, by encapsulating the imaging beam and blocking scattered radiation.

We aimed to evaluate its efficacy in real-world electrophysiologic (EP) laboratory- both during ablations and cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) procedures.

A prospective controlled study comparing consecutive real-life EP procedures with and without RSS using highly sensitive sensors in different locations.

Thirty-five ablations and 19 CIED procedures were done without RSS installed and 31 ablations and 24 CIED procedures (17 with usage levels ≥70%) were done with RSS. Overall, there was 95% average usage level for ablations and 88% for CIEDs. For all procedures with ≥70% usage level and for all sensors, the radiation with RSS was significantly lower than radiation without RSS. For ablations, there was 87% reduction in radiation with RSS (76%-97% for different sensors). For CIEDs, there was 83% reduction in radiation with RSS (59%-92%). RSS usage did not increase procedure time and radiation time. User feedback showed a high-level of integration in the clinical workflow and safety profile for all types of EP procedures.

For both CIED and ablation procedures the radiation with RSS was significantly lower than without RSS. Higher usage level brings higher reduction rates. Thus, RSS may have an important role in full-body protection to all medical personnel from scattered radiation during EP and CIED procedures. Until more data is available, it is recommended to maintain existing standard shielding.