An innovative collimating system reduces unnecessary radiation exposure during fluoroscopically guided procedures, without compromising image quality in the region of interest (ROI).

The ControlRad (Peachtree Corners, GA, USA) Trace system is designed to help balance dose reduction with the need to visualize structures inside the ROI when considered clinically advantageous. The resulting image has two parts: the unfiltered image inside the clinician-selected ROI, and the image outside the ROI, which has a lower-dose processed image, providing peripheral image context. Applications include vascular, cholangiography, endoscopic, urologic, orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, critical care and emergency room procedures.

System components include the Trace Tablet, the Trace Filter, ControlRad Hardware, Software, and Firmware Modules, and the ControlRad communication interface. The Trace Tablet serves as operational control of the device via a graphical user interface (GUI) that enables the clinician to select the ROI. The semi-transparent Trace Filter reduces X-ray radiation outside the clinician-selected ROI, typically by 61% to 97%, and is installed on top of the C-arm’s collimator, and does not affect or modify its functionality.

The ControlRad Hardware, Software, and Firmware Modules control the Trace filter’s positioning, which is determined by the location of the clinician-selected ROI, and perform image processing. Finally, the ControlRad communication interface provides the data link between the various components of the ControlRad Trace Model 8 and the fluoroscopy system. The ControlRad Trace solution can be retrofitted onto existing mobile C-arms, reducing the barrier to technology adaptation.

“The ControlRad Trace system exceeded my expectations in reducing my radiation exposure, as well as the exposure to my patient and to my operating room team. There was no interruption of my normal workflow and zero loss to my image quality in the area where I was focused,” said orthopedic surgeon Andrew Cappuccino, MD, of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center (NY, USA). “I believe ControlRad Trace to be groundbreaking and one of the most important safety innovations that has been brought to market during my tenure as a surgeon.”

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