Articles by Z&Z Medical

Medical facilities committed to protecting staff from occupational radiation exposure must carefully evaluate personal protective equipment (PPE), including radiation protection garments worn during diagnostic imaging, fluoroscopy, and in interventional  and cath lab procedures. Because radiation exposure accumulates over time, selecting the right protective garment is an important safety decision. One of the most common questions facilities ask us is:

“Who makes the best lead aprons?”

The answer depends on several factors—including clinical application, comfort requirements, customization needs, and budget considerations. Each manufacturer offers distinct advantages, and the best choice is often the one that aligns most closely with your department’s workflow and user preferences.

Leading Radiation Protection Apron Manufacturers

Several well-established manufacturers produce high-quality radiation protection garments used across healthcare facilities nationwide. Below is a general overview of commonly selected brands.

Burlington Medical

is widely recognized for its custom-fit apron programs, offering a broad range of sizing options designed to improve fit, comfort, and coverage. Custom sizing can help reduce garment shifting during procedures and support long-term ergonomic comfort for clinicians who wear protection for extended periods.

INFAB

focuses on ergonomic garment design and material transparency, providing detailed information about shielding compositions and apron construction. Many of their garment styles emphasize comfort features such as flexible shoulder construction and durability-focused pocket and seam design.

Guardian

radiation protection garments are designed to provide reliable protection and simplified ordering options, with a user-friendly sizing system. Their garments are engineered for routine clinical use across imaging departments and offer a FREE THyroid Collar with every garment purchase!

Protech

offers a selection of traditional apron styles, including vest-and-skirt combinations and front-protection garments. Their range of configurations allows facilities to match protection styles to procedural needs and staff preferences.

Shielding International

is known for producing radiation protection accessories and specialty shielding products, including dental aprons, thyroid collars, half aprons, and protective shields used in a variety of clinical settings.

How to Compare Lead Apron Quality Across Brands

When evaluating radiation protection garments, healthcare facilities should focus on performance, durability, and user comfort rather than selecting a manufacturer based on name recognition alone. Key factors to review include:

Testing and attenuation data
Manufacturers should provide documented shielding performance across different energy levels to ensure effective protection during a range of imaging procedures.

Construction quality
High-quality stitching, reinforced seams, and proper material distribution help maintain protection integrity over time.

Outer material durability
Abrasion-resistant outer coverings improve garment longevity and reduce premature wear.

Fit and ergonomic design
Proper fit is essential for protecting critical organs while maintaining clinician comfort during long procedures.

Choosing the Right Apron for Your Facility

Rather than searching for a single “best” manufacturer, many facilities find the best approach is to evaluate multiple brands based on:

• Clinical use and procedure type

• User comfort preferences

• Weight and material selection

• Customization requirements

• Budget and replacement cycle planning

At Z&Z Medical, we work with leading radiation protection manufacturers and help facilities compare options side-by-side so departments can select garments that best match their staff’s needs and procedural environments. Because when radiation protection is comfortable, properly fitted, and appropriate for the procedure, compliance improves—and safety follows.  Reach out to us today at info@zzmedical.com to help you choose the right garments from top notch manufacturers.

Z&Z Medical is excited to announce that we will be exhibiting at the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association (IVMA) Annual Meeting on February 12th at the Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona, Iowa. We look forward to connecting with veterinary professionals from across the region and sharing the latest solutions in veterinary radiology imaging.

Stop by our booth to explore what’s new in veterinary imaging accessories, radiation protection apparel, positioning products, and workflow-enhancing solutions designed specifically for veterinary practices. Whether you are upgrading your imaging room, expanding services, or simply looking for faster-shipping accessories and protective gear, our team will be there to help you find the right solutions.

We’re proud to support veterinary teams who work every day to deliver exceptional patient care. Come meet our experts, see our newest products, and discover how Z&Z Medical continues to be your trusted partner for veterinary imaging equipment and accessories. Need a one-on-one meeting? Email Rod Schut at rschut@zzmedical.com or give him a call at 319-243-9153. 

We look forward to seeing you in Altoona!

In cath labs, interventional suites, surgery centers, and outpatient imaging environments, sterile barriers are not optional—they are essential to workflow efficiency, infection prevention, and regulatory compliance.

Yet many facilities still purchase sterile drapes, equipment covers, and specialty barriers from multiple vendors, creating unnecessary complexity, longer lead times, and inconsistent supply availability.

At Z&Z Medical, we help facilities simplify sourcing by providing a comprehensive selection of sterile drapes and equipment covers designed specifically for imaging and interventional environments.

Complete Coverage for Imaging & Interventional Environments

We offer a wide range of sterile protection solutions to support daily procedures, including:

• C-arm covers (full-size and mini C-arms)

• Fluoroscopy and imaging tower covers

• Sterile equipment setup covers

• Cassette and detector covers

• Mayo stand covers

• Foot and equipment barrier covers

• Dome and specialty equipment covers

• General sterile draping solutions for interventional and surgical procedures

Whether supporting a cath lab procedure, outpatient surgery case, or interventional imaging workflow, having the right sterile barrier available helps maintain efficiency and procedural readiness.

Fast Access, Reliable Supply, and Custom Options

Facilities today face increasing pressure to maintain sterile inventory while managing costs and avoiding supply disruptions. That’s why many healthcare teams are looking for partners who can provide:

• Reliable stock availability

• Competitive pricing

• Quick shipping

• Custom sterile cover manufacturing when specialized equipment requires it

Z&Z Medical works with healthcare providers nationwide to ensure consistent access to the sterile covers and draping solutions they rely on every day.

Simplifying Sterile Supply Sourcing

Instead of managing multiple suppliers for different sterile cover needs, facilities can streamline purchasing with a single trusted source that understands the unique demands of imaging, interventional, and surgical environments.

From routine daily consumables to custom equipment protection solutions, our goal is simple: make sterile readiness easier, faster, and more dependable

February 9–15 marks Cardiovascular Professionals Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the clinicians who dedicate their expertise, skill, and compassion to caring for patients with heart disease. From cardiologists and interventional physicians to cath lab teams, technologists, nurses, and imaging professionals—your work saves lives every single day.

The Work Behind the Scenes Matters

Cardiovascular care often happens in high-pressure environments where precision and focus are critical. Long procedures, advanced imaging, and rapid decision-making are part of the daily routine.

Many cardiovascular professionals spend hours each shift:

• Standing at procedure tables

• Wearing protective equipment

• Working around fluoroscopy and other imaging systems

Your commitment ensures patients receive timely, accurate, and life-saving care.

Appreciation Includes Protection

At Z&Z Medical, we believe appreciation goes beyond words. Supporting cardiovascular professionals also means supporting:

• Safer imaging environments

• Radiation protection practices that reduce long-term risk

• Tools designed to improve comfort, workflow, and career longevity

Because protecting those who care for hearts is part of protecting healthcare itself.

Thank You

This week—and every week—we thank you for:

• Your expertise

• Your dedication

• Your unwavering commitment to patient care

Happy Cardiovascular Professionals Appreciation Week!!!

Super Bowl Sunday has officially arrived, and here at Z&Z Medical, it’s always been about more than just the final score.

Throughout the football season, our office has enjoyed friendly rivalries, team pride, a little good-natured trash talk, and plenty of laughs when our teams faced off. Whether you’re someone who never misses a kickoff or someone who’s just here for the commercials (or snacks), it’s been fun sharing the season together.

What we really love, though, is how moments like this bring people together. Football has a way of sparking conversations, building connections, and creating shared memories—especially in the workplace. Even those who aren’t big fans have been great sports, cheering along or smiling through the Monday morning recaps.

As the season wraps up, we’re reminded that it’s these small moments—inside jokes, playful debates, and shared excitement—that make our workplace feel less like an office and more like a team.

So whether you’re rooting hard, watching casually, or just enjoying the halftime show, we hope everyone has a fun and relaxing Super Bowl Sunday.

Here’s to teamwork, camaraderie, and another great season—on and off the field.