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Radiation Shield Technology Saves Lives
Author: | Tuesday May 05, 2009
Dan Edward of Radiation Shield Technologies, at right, showed vest to Cliff Weiss, M.D., Professor of Radiology and Surgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institute. The photo was taken at the RSNA conference held in Chicago in December.
Saving Lives
Patented Technology,
Developed by Doctor,
Offers Radiation Shield
It started as many great ideas do. Self preservation. Ronald F. DeMeo, M.D. was concerned about the amount of radiation he was being exposed to in the operating room and wasn't confident the bulky, lead-lined radiation gear he had to wear was doing the job.
The Miami physician, who is a certified pain management specialist, was also all too aware of medical professionals who developed cancer and died at too young an age. "I saw colleagues getting sick and dying and I just didn't buy the idea that we were protected and that the level of radiation we were being exposed to was safe," Dr. DeMeo told the Voice in a recent interview.
He developed a material call Demron™, made of liquid metal which is cool, lightweight and flexible making it ideal for operating room vests, masks and aprons. The X-ray shielding material is lead-free, toxin-free and can be washed, discarded and recycled.
"Everybody was asking me about a surgical mask idea I had and it suddenly occurred to me I was on to something," Dr. DeMeo recalled. "I reached out to an attorney and we wrote up the first patent."
In the process, Dr. DeMeo established his company, Radiation Shield Technologies (RST) and momentum began to build for the development of a whole line of radiation protective garments. And, in December, 2008, Demron-M radiation-blocking medical garments were introduced at the Radiological Society of North America 94th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting held in Chicago.
As the company has refined and developed the product, demand has grown from the military and emergency first-responders. In January Dr. DeMeo, who is President and CEO of RST, announced the company has been granted a patent that secures the nanotechnology in Demron, the world's "first and only protective material for all types of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents."
Demron, which also has other U.S. and international patents can be made into full-body suits, vests, blankets and medical X-ray vests and aprons. Specific use gear such as the Demron-M Bra is designed to reduce radiation transmission in breast brachytherapy patients and enables them to be discharged home without risk of exposing others to radiation. The bras also are designed to help reduce radiation exposure for women in high-risk environments.
"As we continue to grow, we will discover more applications, grow the product line and see where it goes," Dr. DeMeo said. The South Florida physician travels all over the world on behalf of Radiation Shield Technologies but is still happiest, he said, when he is helping his patients.
"I want it made clear that I have no plans to stop practicing medicine. I enjoy my work as a physician and treating patients."
Ed. Note: Ronald F. DeMeo, M.D., Diplomates, American Board of Anesthesiology, Diplomates, Subspecialty Certification in Pain Management and Diplomates, American Board of Pain Medicine is the owner of Meridian Pain and Spinal Diagnostics in Coral Gables, FL. Visit www.meridianspine.com or call 305448-6166. For information on Demron™ visit www.radshield.com.
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