# Dallas Firm Patents Radiation Shield for Healthcare Workers

> Dallas Medical Team's New Radiation Shield Cuts Worker Exposure by 91% in Tests
- Title: Dallas Firm Patents Radiation Shield for Healthcare Workers
- Summary: Dallas Medical Team's New Radiation Shield Cuts Worker Exposure by 91% in Tests New radiation shield reduces exposure to critical areas by up to 97% during…
- Keywords: dallas, protectmed, burlington medical, radiation shield, bat, thyroid, breast, axilla, fluroscopy, osha, alara, nfl
- Source: Dallas Express — https://dallasexpress.com/city/dallas-medical-team-patents-radiation-shield-to-better-protect-healthcare-workers
- Author: Dallas Express
- Published: 2026-09-26T12:00:25+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: dallas, protectmed, burlington medical, radiation shield, bat, thyroid, breast, axilla, fluroscopy, osha, alara, nfl
## New Radiation Shield Patent
Dallas-based ProtectMed LLC received U.S. Patent No. 12,721,579 for a wearable radiation shield protecting breast, axilla, and thyroid areas during X-ray procedures.

> The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office lists Patent No. 12,721,579, titled "Breast axilla and thyroid radiation shielding device for medical personnel," as assigned to Dallas-based ProtectMed LLC.
## Designed to Cover Gaps
The shield adds protection around breasts, underarms, upper arms, and thyroid areas that standard lead aprons leave exposed during fluoroscopy procedures.

> The patented design is intended to add protection around the breast, axilla, or underarm, and thyroid, along with portions of the upper arm.
## Tested for Real-World Use
A peer-reviewed study showed adding the shield reduced radiation exposure by 91% at the nearer breast and 94% at the chest compared to standard protective gear.

> Compared with a standard lead vest and thyroid shield alone, adding the BAT shield reduced measured radiation exposure by 91% at the nearer breast, 76% at the farther breast, 94% at the chest, 52% at the thyroid, and 60% in deeper tissues.
## Why It Matters
Healthcare workers face radiation risks during X-ray-guided procedures, with OSHA requiring protective gear to minimize exposure through ALARA principles.

> The Occupational Safety and Health Administration identifies lead aprons or vests and thyroid collars among commonly used forms of personal protective equipment for workers exposed to X-rays and gamma radiation.
## How It Works
The shield is worn with existing radiation aprons and provides targeted protection without restricting movement during medical procedures.

> Burlington Medical introduced BAT in 2024 as a lightweight garment designed to be worn with an existing radioprotective apron.
## Real-World Impact
The shield has been tested in simulated procedure rooms and reduced radiation exposure to critical areas by up to 97% in specific positions.

> At one tested position, with the operator standing 90 degrees to the table during a cross-table lateral beam, the researchers measured a 97.7% reduction in radiation exposure at the nearer breast.
## Local Innovation
Dallas-Fort Worth ranked No. 10 nationally with 114 patents issued during the week of September 1, 2026, including this radiation shield patent.

> ProtectMed's patent was one of 114 patents tied to Dallas-Fort Worth inventors and companies during the week of September 1, according to Dallas Innovates.
## Who Invented It
Lauren Ramsey, a Fort Worth breast surgical oncologist, co-founded ProtectMed LLC with Chet Rees and Ryan Baldwin.

> The USPTO patent index names Lauren Ramsey, Chet Rees, and Ryan Baldwin as the inventors.
## Key takeaway

New radiation shield reduces exposure to critical areas by up to 97% during X-ray procedures