ControlRad today said it completed the first clinical use of its Trace system.

Atlanta-based ControlRad’s Trace technology can be integrated into mobile C-arms to help reduce radiation in fluoroscopically guided procedures. The company said it can reduce radiation exposure by up to 89% to protect patients and medical staff without having to compromise image quality and workflow.

“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,” Dr. Andrew Cappuccino said.

“There was no interruption of my normal workflow and zero loss to my image quality in the area where I was focused. As a surgeon who was diagnosed with leukemia after many years of performing fluoroscopically guided minimally invasive spine procedures, 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.”

The initial procedures were completed at Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center in Niagara Falls, N.Y. by Dr. Cappuccino, an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery.

“We are extremely pleased that the ControlRad Trace system is now being used clinically, seamlessly reducing radiation exposure to the patient and to the operating room team,” CEO Guillaume Bailliard said in a news release. “It is humbling to be able to play a valuable role in providing a safer environment to the medical staff who are day-in, day-out putting themselves in harm’s way in order to treat their patients.”

The Trace system has a semi-transparent filter, tablet and image processing technology. It can be fitted onto existing C-arms and medical staff can draw regions of interest on a ControlRad tablet that can optimize image quality in real-time.

“Radiation from C-arm procedures may increase the risk of brain cancer, cataracts, strokes and atherosclerosis, and with over 17 million fluoroscopic procedures in the U.S. every year, the ControlRad Trace is the only system available that can be utilized in each one,” EVP and president of the mobile C-arm division at ControlRad Chris Fair said. “Regardless of whether it is a spine or orthopedic procedure, pain management or urology case, our technology reduces radiation exposure and protects those who are saving the lives of others, like Dr. Cappuccino.”