Cathpax Nova-X Radiation Protection System Studied for Interventional Neuroradiology Procedures

January 21, 2026—Cathpax, a Nantes, France-based spin-off of the Lemer Pax group, announced the results of the NOVARAD clinical study evaluating exposure to x-rays in interventional neuroradiology. According to Cathpax, the NOVARAD study aims to assess the effectiveness of the company’s Nova-X system in head-to-toe protection from exposure to x-rays during interventional procedures for the entire team in catheterization labs.

Nova-X received CE Mark certification at the end of 2025. The company also expects to obtain FDA approval within the next 2 years, noted the press release.

The company reported that the multicenter, two-arm prospective NOVARAD study analyzed the x-ray doses received by three operators in seven distinct anatomic areas, with state-of-the-art operational dosimeters providing extremely precise measurements (minimum detection threshold of 0.1 µSv). In total, 178 procedures at four hospitals in France were included: 90 without Nova-X and 88 with Nova-X. Compared to the conventional approach, the dose received with Nova-X was 11 times lower for the head, 11 times lower for the arms, and 38 times lower for the feet, stated the company.

As summarized in the Cathpax press release, for Operator 1, the average dose reduction was -91% over their entire body with an average value of 1.0 µSv per procedure with Nova-X, compared to 11.1 µSv without Nova-X. For Operator 2, the average dose reduction went from 4.8 µSv per procedure to 0.8 µSv through the use of Nova-X; for Operator 3, the average overall dose was more than twice as low (1.1 µSv vs 0.4 µSv). To assess the stochastic risk, the effective dose evaluated was 1.33 without Nova-X and 1.24 with Nova-X (without wearing a lead apron).

Obtaining these results and exposure reduction factors > 90% over the unprotected anatomic areas (deterministic risk) validates the possibility of working without a lead apron, which was responsible for the significant growth in musculoskeletal disorders during the past 10 years (66% in 2023 vs 49% in 2014), stated Cathpax in the press release.