Our Profile Nivaco was established in 1990 to serve the Health sector of Greece. The last 20 years Nivaco has attained huge growth mainly due to its innovative leadership style and the responsible service to its clients. Nivaco diversified into new areas, established new companies and as a group now operates as Nivaco Medical Enterprises Ltd. All the company structure is privately owned by the N.C.Vardatsikos family. The turnover of the group for 2009 has exceeded the sum of 2,0 million euro (2,7million USD).
Nivaco specializes in Radiation Protection for medical applications offering:
• • • •
Consulting services in x-ray protection. Procurement services for special radiation protection projects. Management of shielding installations. Turn Key Projects.
Nivaco has been cooperating with well known Greek hospital contractors and implemented successfully national and international projects. The group looks towards the future with optimism and socially responsible approach. It is our mission to continue investing on pioneering products and services in the x-ray protection sector, Adapting high quality products from selected European and American manufacturers guarantees professional workmanship at a reasonable cost and time effective manner.
Our X-Ray protection philosophy X-Ray radiation is a form of ionization radiation that is potentially very hazardous for human health. Just like other forms of high-energy radiation, X-rays can cause damage to cells in the body, which in turn can increase the risk of developing cancer. The risk associated with each X-ray procedure is extremely low but slowly increases because it has an accumulating effect. Often it takes decades for cancer to be detected following radiation exposure (long induction period). Although X-ray instruments have the potential to be dangerous, when used properly and under high-quality protection methods, X-ray instruments pose minimal risks to users and patients. Because of its unique property to absorb the dangerous radioactive rays emitted by imaging equipment, Lead (Pb) metal sheet is the most widely used material in the shielding of radioactive sources in medical applications. Nivaco with expertise in shielding construction uses lead sheets bonded within chipboard material offering a very stable and safe way to handle lead. We offer solutions in Radiology, Angiography, E.R.C.P., CT Scanning, Nuclear medicine facilities, Interventional radiology, Radiotherapy, Operating theatres, etc. However, Lead is a rather ambiquous substance because it has toxic effects, which are known as “Lead Poisoning�. Research to replace lead in medical applications with alternative substances has been successful only in personal protection apparel (see Radiology Accessories). In the protective shielding construction, lead is still used, as an equally effective and cost efficient alternative does not yet exist.
Shielded wall with “CUSTOMIZED” type material, Euroclinic Hospital, Athens, Greece 2010
Our experience in X-Ray Shielding • We develop and market new generation products for almost two decades.
• We fully guarantee the protection of the area to be shielded.
• We have completed numerous projects in most major hospitals in Greece.
• We undertake “custom-made” projects meeting specific shielding requirements and deadlines.
• We have cooperated with well known Greek hospital contractors and implemented successfully national and international projects.
• Our selection of material finishes and colors, assures the aesthetics, the maintenance free and the long life of the project.
• We utilize manufacturing facilities in Greece and most well known European manufacturers in the field.
• Our fast and reliable installation methods offer the unique advantage to assemble, disassemble (if needed), relocate and reinstall our protective panels.
• We guarantee “value for money” on any project, small or large, without sacrificing safety.
Nivaco offers two types of shielded material: The “UNFINISHED” type
Our Basic Shielding Material With our products we can:
This type is offered in large size lead protective tiles (60cm X120cm) They are used primarily for drywall installations. Applying them on masonry is also possible with a few modifications. The total thickness of the tile (with Pb up to 4 mm) is about 20mm. They are applied with screws and overlapped with lead strips of equal thickness. Plasterboard can be mounted on top of the tiles to create “wall type” finish.
• Shield walls, of either masonry or drywall type, ceilings, floors. • Construct and install protective wing & sliding doors of any size. • Prefabricate command cabinets, partition walls,dividing walls, changing rooms, inspection lead protective windows. • Create mobile partitions & Screens both with or without leaded windows. Shielded wall with “UNFINISHED” type material, Children’s Ongological Hospital, Athens, Greece 2010
Overview of “CUSTOMIZED” type project, Amalia Fleming Hospital, Athens, Greece 2006
The “CUSTOMIZED” type Using an “UNFINISHED” type panel and overlay it on both sides with high-impact, scratch-proof laminate, normally with a white matt finish (Other colors are available on request) we created the CUSTOMIZED type panels. The CUSTOMIZED type panels need practically no care or any particular maintenance for life. Cleaning periodically with common hospital detergents is all it is necessary. The CUSTOMIZED panels come up to 3,00meter high and 50cm wide. They require anchoring to the wall through extruded anodized aluminum profiles with natural finish, creating a protective barrier. These exclusive profiles contain pure lead for overlapping of the joins. They act as anchoring and support along the entire perimeter edge (thus avoiding drilling on the composite) as well as an attractive finishing touch to the work. Total thickness of the panel (with Pb up to 4 mm) is 18-20 mm. The extruded aluminum base part, i.e. the skirting board, is fully fitting over the panel to prevent ingress of dirt or humidity, or contact with the cement. The top of the panel (if ending at a certain height) is finished with an anti-dust sloping extruded aluminum part. If the barrier continues, a colored band can be applied purely for decorative reasons.
THE WING DOORS They are made of hard wood box panels, incorporating lead sheets of specific thickness, laminated plastic covering on both sides. In order to support the heavy wings, the protective frame is made of either steel (1,5-2mm thick), hard aluminum, or solid hard wood incorporating lead sheets as it is required. It is the customer’s choice the type of the door frame. Each door is provided with balanced hinges, designed to support the outstanding weight, lock and handles.
Automatic Wing Doors, Hygeia Hospital, Tirana, Albania 2010
THE SLIDING DOORS Doors are made of hard wood box panels incorporating lead sheets of specific thickness, laminated plastic covering on both sides with the same appearance as our Customized wall panels. The doors support and movement is provided by means of highly resistant rectified aluminum mono-rail with double wheel made of plastic material and steel pivot on elastic bearing. The design ensures a unique noise-free and smooth movement in spite of the heavy door weight. A slot underneath the doors base provides guide for the fastening pin, thus leaving the threshold free. The door includes handles on both sides; one of them recessed.
An internal lock can be installed as an optional item.
Automatic Sliding Doors, Hygeia Hospital, Tirana, Albania 2010
PREFABRICATED X-RAY CABINETS Anodized aluminum frames are used to support the “CUSTOMIZED” type leaded panels. Each frame has been thoroughly designed and developed for its intended use. The lead core, which is fitted in each frame, ensures the necessary overlapping and maximizes the protection effectiveness. The structure is quite strong and can be used to assemble even complicated modular systems. The frame can support “CUSTOMIZED” type x-ray protection panels, In addition, the system allows to fit lead glass windows in any position and size, as well as doors. The lead protection can reach up to 4 mm Pb equivalent.
Prefabricated X-Ray Cabinet, Asklepieio Voulas Hospital, Athens, Greece 2004
Radiology Accessories At Nivaco, we offer a wide range of x-ray personal protection products. • Aprons and Thyroid Collars are essential accessories for the protection of personnel working in ionizing radiation field. Nivaco proudly states that has been one of the first companies in Europe to market and promote “Lead Free aprons”, where lead is replaced by a new, far lighter and eco-friendly recyclable material. We propose
LEAD FREE, “custom-made”, surprisingly light and comfortable aprons meeting the highest American and European Standards. • Eye glasses, Face masks for head protection, Radiation attenuation gloves, ovarian and scrotum shields, apron racks and related products.
Mobile Partitions & Screens
Mobile Partitions and Screens are made of anodized aluminum metal frame, running on heavy duty castors with brake mounted on steel stabilizers. They are constructed with lead equivalent protection from 1,0mmPb to 3,0mmPb, either with lead glass window or plain.
MRI Products We know the specialized nature of materials and accessories required in environment of magnetic tomography (MRI) and we supply Monitoring devices & Accessories, all nonmagnetic certified.
Nuclear Medicine Items In collaboration with well-known manufacturers, we offer Certified Hot Cell for the preparation of the isotopes, variety of related products for the safe storage of nuclear generators, handling and distribution of isotopes, as well as radioactive waste management implementation. We undertake installations with high lead protection (over 10mmPb) for nuclear facilities and special doors with increased lead shielding for Gamma Cameras, PET/CT etc from 5,0mmPb up to 20,0mmPb lead protection.
Illuminators The presentation of images in medical diagnosis constitutes one of the key elements and is of prime importance in the health sector. We offer a variety of illuminators for every type of use, such as simple, complex or specialized illuminators with high frequency (HF) and/or with blinds serving particular requirements and operations.
Mobile X-ray Units NIVACO investing on pioneer services initiates custom-made mobile X-Ray units. These units are fully equipped with an X-Ray laboratory system that provides instantly high quality digital X-Rays, while basic medical devices and diagnostic kits are also installed. The mobile screening units are developed to meet customers’ needs (i.e. ambulance use) and they are specifically designed to cover medical necessities in remote areas or even in areas with sub-standard medical coverage or other suitable circumstances. Ideally configured for the specific requirements of road use, they have full-proof radiation shielding via customized leaded panels, compact electrical installations and insulations including a generator to run the Mobile Imaging Centre with top performance guarantee.
YEARS
1990 - 2010
YEARS
1990 - 2010