Hands-Free XRays

What Hands-Free XRays does

Hands-Free XRays is a privately held, founder-owned Canadian company founded in Toronto in 2016 by Registered Veterinary Technician Julia Bitan. It designs, sells, and trains on a portfolio of specialized restraint and positioning devices that enable 100% hands-free small animal radiography, replacing manual patient restraint during X-ray procedures. The product catalog includes elastic extremity straps (1-inch and 5/8-inch widths), radiolucent elastic seat belt straps, X-ray table linings, suede sandbag sets, foam V-troughs, foam wedges, and educational posters, priced individually and in bundle packages (CA$15 to CA$449 per item, billed in CAD with shipping from Canada). The company also delivers on-site and virtual training workshops at client clinics that provide continuing education credits for RVTs, taught by a distributed team of VTS-credentialed trainers across Canada and the United States.

The business operates a dual revenue model: one-time product sales through a direct e-commerce storefront (handsfreexrays.com) and professional services revenue from contact-based workshop bookings. Go-to-market combines content marketing via the company website and email newsletter, field/on-site sales for training engagements, conference presentations, and curated educational partnerships with the Radiation Safety Institute of Canada, Ontario WSIB, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, IDEXX, and academic partners including Seneca College and Georgian College. Customers are predominantly small animal veterinary clinics and hospitals in Canada and the United States, with the Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital serving as both a foundational clinical partner and ongoing training site.

The company has no disclosed external funding, operates with a small distributed trainer roster, and markets exclusively in CAD with regional North American delivery. Its competitive positioning rests on practitioner-led expertise (founders and trainers with 8-25 years of clinical RVT experience), niche domain focus on veterinary radiography safety, and validated market demand from a 2016 Ontario RVT survey of 250+ respondents indicating near-universal interest in alternatives to manual restraint.

Name

Hands-Free XRays

Legal name

Hands-Free X-Rays

Website

https://handsfreexrays.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Hands-Free XRays designs and sells specialized veterinary restraint and positioning devices and delivers hands-free radiography training workshops, enabling small animal veterinary clinics across Canada and the United States to perform 100% hands-free X-rays.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Veterinary Radiography Equipment

NAICS

Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing (3391)

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Imaging Equipment & Accessories (X-ray, Ultrasound, Endoscopy) (HLAMAFAC)

Keywords

• Veterinary radiography devices
• Patient restraint equipment
• Radiation safety training
• Hands-free positioning devices
• Veterinary x-ray supplies

Headquarters

HQ city

Toronto

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Restraint and Positioning Devices: Direct e-commerce sales of specialized veterinary radiography restraint devices including extremity straps, sandbags, foam V-troughs, table linings, positioning wedges, and educational posters. Products are priced in Canadian dollars with prices ranging from CA$15 to CA$449 per item.
2. Training Workshops - On-site and Virtual: Hands-on and virtual training seminars conducted at veterinary clinics to train staff on non-manual radiography techniques. Provides CE credits for RVTs. Workshops cover positioning techniques, restraint device usage, and sedation considerations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Hands-Free XRays designs, manufactures, and sells specialized restraint and positioning devices that enable veterinarians to obtain diagnostic X-rays without manually holding animal patients. The company also delivers hands-on and virtual training workshops for veterinary staff on non-manual radiography techniques, complemented by radiation safety educational resources and posters. Founded by practicing veterinary technicians, the initiative combines proprietary physical equipment with professional training to reduce occupational radiation exposure in veterinary clinics.

Product overview

Hands-Free XRays offers a comprehensive veterinary radiography solution comprising physical restraint and positioning devices designed to enable 100% hands-free diagnostic x-rays. The product portfolio includes extremity elastic straps (1" and Skinny 5/8"), elastic seat belt straps, X-ray table velcro linings, foam V-troughs in various sizes (Small 24", Large 36") with vinyl or economy foam-only options, positioning foam wedges, sandbag sets (Small 3kg and Large 5kg) with suede covers, and educational materials including radiation safety and positioning guide posters. The company also provides training workshops (both on-site and virtual) and educational resources on radiation safety. The Basic Starter Package bundles essential items for clinics beginning their hands-free radiography journey.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 1" Extremity Elastic Straps (Set of 2) Soft, stretchy elastic straps designed to safely position small animal extremities for radiographs without manual restraint. Available in 1-inch width; features fast attachment and release for all positions. Priced at CA$34.00.
• Skinny (5/8") Extremity Elastic Straps (Set of 2) Thin elastic straps ideal for cats and small dogs. Soft and stretchy enough to safely position small animal extremities for radiographs with easy attachment and release. Priced at CA$37.00.
• Elastic Seat Belt Strap (Blue) Radiolucent elastic strap for additional patient security. Attaches to the x-ray table liner and foam troughs for hands-free positioning during radiographs. Priced at CA$32.00.
• X-Ray Table Lining (Adhesive Velcro) Adhesive velcro lining for the x-ray table, available in 10ft/3M, 15ft/4.5M, or add-on 5ft/1.5M. Used with extremity straps and safety strap for positioning small animals. Priced from CA$35.00.
• Basic Starter Package (Sandbags and Table Setup with Straps) Complete starter kit including Sandbag Set (2 small, 2 large), Table Liner (10ft), and Extremity Straps (2 sets of 2). Everything needed to begin hands-free radiography. Priced at CA$360.00.
• Positioning Foam Wedge Positioning aid useful for positioning patients for a variety of radiographs, enabling hands-free restraint during imaging. Priced at CA$18.00.
• Foam V-Trough Set (Small & Large) - Royal Blue Complete set of foam V-trough pads providing patient comfort during hands-free radiography, reducing movement chance while allowing the radiographer to increase distance. Custom colors available. Priced at CA$449.00.
• Small 24" Foam V-Trough (Vinyl Covered, Blue) Small vinyl-covered foam V-trough for positioning small animals during radiographs with patient comfort in mind. Priced at CA$165.00.
• Large 36" Foam V-Trough (Vinyl Covered, Blue) Large vinyl-covered foam V-trough for positioning larger animals during radiographs. Made in Canada. Priced at CA$340.00.
• Economy Foam V-Trough Set (Small & Large) - Foam Only Economy bundle including both small and large foam V-troughs without vinyl covers. Basic positioning aids for cost-conscious hands-free radiography setup. Priced at CA$249.00.
• Suede Sandbag Set (2 Small + 2 Large) Grippy, water-resistant suede sandbags loosely filled with silica sand. Removable, washable covers stick to the table and do not slide. Includes 2 small (21") and 2 large (23") bags. Priced at CA$285.00.
• Small Sandbag Set (2x3kg) with Cover Small 21" sandbags made of grippy, water-resistant material loosely filled with silica sand. Includes removable, washable cover designed to stick to table and prevent sliding. Priced at CA$145.00.
• Large Sandbag Set (2 x 5kg bags) with Cover Large 23" sandbags made of grippy, water-resistant material loosely filled with silica sand. Versatile design great for wrapping on extremities with light/no pressure areas for patient comfort. Priced at CA$160.00.
• Radiation Safety Awareness Laminated Poster Laminated educational poster promoting radiation safety awareness. Available in 11x17" or 20x24 sizes with various framing options. Free digital copy available. Priced from CA$25.00.
• Positioning Guide Poster (20" x 24") Illustrated positioning guide poster showing proper patient positioning techniques for diagnostic radiographs. Priced from CA$50.00.
• Cat Scruffer Clamps Cat scruffing clamps for restraining cats during radiographs. Not all cats allow for scruffing; consult with DVM prior to use. Sale price CA$15.00 (originally CA$21.00); currently sold out.
• On-Site Training Workshops Hands-on training program delivered at veterinary clinics by an experienced RVT trainer, teaching staff non-manual radiography techniques on the clinic's existing X-ray equipment. Provides RVT CE credits.
• Virtual Training Workshops Private online seminar training between a Hands-Free XRays trainer and the clinic team, covering hands-free radiography techniques remotely. Provides RVT CE credits.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 90% of surveyed RVTs (250+ respondents) expressed desire for alternatives to manual restraint during X-rays
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Toronto Veterinary Emergency Hospital (TVEH)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshley Jenner served as head imaging RVT at TVEH, where she developed and refined hands-free radiography techniques. TVEH operates as a strictly non-manual radiography hospital. The partnership has enabled over 5 years of training workshops hosted at the facility for TVEH staff and RVTs from other clinics. This represents the foundational clinical environment for technique development.
• Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians (OAVT)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJulia Bitan completed a 2-year term on the OAVT Board of Directors (ended March 2019). OAVT logo appears on the website as a supporter. This provides professional credibility and access to the RVT professional community.
• Radiation Safety Institute of CanadaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational partnership providing radiation safety e-learning courses featured on the Hands-Free X-Rays website. Courses include 'Understanding Radiation' and 'X-Ray Safety for Veterinary Practice in Ontario' developed in cooperation with WSIB.
• Ontario Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped the 'Understanding Radiation' free course in cooperation with WSIB, providing foundational radiation safety education for workers.
• Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNSC provides educational materials and guides (Introduction to Radiation, Introduction to Dosimetry) featured on the website's resource section for veterinary X-ray workers in Canada.
• Georgian CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFeatured on the website as a supporter. Toni Laoutaris graduated from Georgian College's Veterinary Technician program in 2006. The college may be a pipeline for talent and continuing education collaboration.
• Radiation Safety OntariominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a supporter on the website alongside OAVT and Georgian College, indicating alignment with radiation safety initiatives in Ontario.
• IDEXXminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHands-Free X-Rays features IDEXX's free radiation safety e-learning course 'Achieve Lowest-Dose Radiation: Radiation Safety Is Your Safety' (1 hour CE credit) on their e-learning resource page.
• Seneca CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrainer Tracey Lawrence teaches part-time in the veterinary technician program at Seneca College, providing access to the veterinary education community.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IDEXX Laboratories: Global leader in veterinary diagnostics and a listed partner of Hands-Free X-Rays (IDEXX's free radiation safety e-learning course is featured on the company's resources page). Not a direct competitor in positioning devices, but serves the same veterinary clinic buyer and increasingly bundles radiation safety education into its offering.
• Heska: Veterinary diagnostics and imaging company (now part of Mars Petcare/Antech) offering a wide portfolio of in-clinic diagnostics and imaging. Comparable addressable buyer relationship with veterinary clinics and overlapping educational and practice-quality initiatives.

Direct peers

• Vetel Diagnostics: Veterinary X-ray equipment manufacturer offering digital and analog radiography systems to small animal clinics. Comparable buyer persona and similar bundle of hardware plus workflow accessories as Hands-Free X-Rays' positioning products.
• JPI Healthcare Solutions: Manufacturer of veterinary X-ray systems and digital imaging equipment targeting small animal clinics. While JPI sells the imaging hardware itself, both companies compete for the same clinic's radiography workflow spend and training budgets.
• Cuattro Veterinary: Veterinary digital radiography and imaging solutions company focused on companion animal practice. Sells X-ray hardware and related software, overlapping with Hands-Free X-Rays' positioning-device and training layer in the same customer workflow.
• Merry X-Ray: Distributor of veterinary and medical X-ray equipment, supplies, and accessories across the US. Comparable as a single-source vendor for veterinary clinics setting up radiography suites, where positioning supplies are a routine purchase.
• Sound Technologies: US-based veterinary imaging equipment and software provider serving companion animal and equine practices. Comparable as a vendor-of-record for veterinary radiography workflows, where positioning devices and accessories are an adjacent purchase decision.

Emerging players

• Alaron Imaging: Veterinary imaging specialist focused on digital radiography and ultrasound equipment for small and large animal markets. Comparable customer base in veterinary clinics investing in hands-free radiographic workflow upgrades.
• ClearVet Digital: Veterinary digital imaging solutions provider targeting small and mixed animal clinics. Comparable buyer segment and adjacent product offering in the radiography workflow, where positioning and training are bundled value-adds.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/handsfreexrays

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Hands-Free XRays