Shielding for Interventional Radiology: Balancing Access and Safety

Interventional radiology (IR) rooms are some of the most challenging spaces to shield. Unlike standard X-ray rooms, IR procedures require physicians and technologists to stay close to the patient while imaging is happening—sometimes for long periods of time.

The goal isn’t just to block radiation. It’s to do so without getting in the way of hands, equipment, monitors, and patient care. Let’s look at how IR shielding works, what makes it different, and which Intech solutions help strike the right balance. ⚖️

🔍 Why Interventional Radiology Is Different

In many imaging rooms, staff step behind a wall or leave the room during exposure. In interventional radiology, that’s often impossible.

IR procedures commonly involve:

• 🕒 Long fluoroscopy times
• 👩⚕️ Staff standing near the X-ray source
• 🔄 Constant movement around the table
• 📺 Frequent visual monitoring of the patient

This means shielding must focus on scatter radiation—the radiation that bounces off the patient and travels outward.

🛡️ The Layered Shielding Approach

Successful IR rooms use layers of protection. No single product does everything. Instead, fixed and flexible shielding work together.

🧱 Fixed Structural Shielding

Every IR room starts with permanent protection:

• Lead-lined walls to contain radiation within the room
• Lead-lined doors and frames to protect hallways and adjacent spaces
• Leaded glass windows for control room visibility

These elements protect people outside the room—but they don’t protect staff standing next to the patient.

🧵 Flexible Shielding Near the Table

This is where interventional rooms truly differ from standard imaging rooms.

Common Intech solutions include:

• 🧵 Lead or lead-free curtains mounted to tables, ceiling tracks, or equipment arms to block scatter below and beside the table
• 🪟 Table-side drapes that shield legs and lower body
• ➰ Flexible designs that move with the procedure—not against it

These products allow physicians to maintain access to the patient while reducing dose where it matters most.

🚧 Mobile Barriers for Targeted Protection

In areas where staff stand for extended periods—such as anesthesia positions or technologist stations—mobile shielding adds another layer.

• 🛞 Mobile lead or lead-free barriers can be positioned where staff stand most often
• 👁️ Many include viewing windows so communication and visibility are preserved
• 🔄 Easily repositioned as room layout changes

This approach keeps shielding flexible, which is essential in IR environments.

👁️ Visibility Still Matters

Shielding should never force staff to choose between safety and patient observation.

That’s why IR rooms rely on:

• 🪟 Leaded glass windows in control rooms
• 👓 Clear view panels in mobile barriers
• 📐 Proper window sizing to maintain required lead equivalency

Visibility and protection must work together—not compete.

⚠️ Common Shielding Mistakes in IR Rooms

Because IR rooms are so dynamic, problems often come from oversimplifying shielding needs.

Watch out for:

• 🚫 Relying only on walls and doors for protection
• 🚫 Using fixed shielding where flexibility is required
• 🚫 Forgetting to shield lower-body scatter zones

These oversights can lead to higher staff dose—even when the room technically meets code.

🧠 How Intech Helps IR Teams

Intech works with hospitals, imaging centers, and physicists to match shielding products to real workflows:

• 📐 Interpreting the shielding plan and identifying scatter zones
• 🧵 Recommending lead-free curtain systems where flexibility is key
• 🚧 Supplying mobile barriers for staff protection without blocking access
• 📋 Providing documentation for compliance and inspections

The result is a room that’s safer and easier to work in.

✨ Key Takeaways

• 🩺 Interventional radiology requires shielding near the patient—not just in walls
• 🧵 Curtains and drapes block scatter while preserving access
• 🚧 Mobile barriers protect staff in high-dose standing zones
• 👁️ Visibility must always be maintained
• 🤝 Layered shielding provides the best balance of safety and workflow

📩 Designing or Upgrading an IR Room?

If you’re planning an interventional radiology space—or improving an existing one—Intech can help you choose the right mix of lead-lined walls, leaded glass, mobile barriers, and lead-free curtains.

Contact our team to build an IR room that protects your staff without slowing them down. 🛠️🛡️