Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. A method of performing a medical procedure, said method comprising:providing a radiation-shielding cubicle having an interior defining a medical personnel region and including a first wall having an opening therein;locating the cubicle with respect to an x-ray table so a portion of the x-ray table extends through the opening into the interior of the cubicle; andseparating medical personnel from an x-ray emitter disposed outside of the cubicle using the first wall to shield the medical personnel from radiation emitted by the x-ray emitter. 2. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising joining the x-ray table to the cubicle using a radiation-shielding flexible interface. 3. A method in accordance with claim 2 wherein said joining the x-ray table to the cubicle using a radiation-shielding flexible interface comprises joining the x-ray table to the first wall using the radiation shielding flexible interface. 4. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising sealing the opening in the first wall using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt. 5. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising circumferentially joining the x-ray table to the cubicle using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt. 6. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising attaching a radiation-shielding screen to the x-ray table so the radiation-shielding screen covers a portion of a patient supported by the x-ray table and covers a portion of a top surface of the x-ray table. 7. A method in accordance with claim 6 further comprising joining the first wall to the radiation-shielding screen using a flexible radiation-resistant skirt. 8. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the radiation-shielding screen has at least one port for facilitating access to the patient, said method further comprising:inserting procedural equipment through the port to access the patient with the procedural equipment; andperforming a medical procedure on the patient using the procedural equipment. 9. A method in accordance with claim 8 further comprising positioning a cloak over the port to create a substantially radiation-resistant seal over the port and around the procedural equipment. 10. A method in accordance with claim 6 wherein the radiation-shielding screen has at least one port for facilitating at least one of connection and access to controls for at least one of the x-ray table, the x-ray emitter, and a catheterization system monitor, said method further comprising accessing the controls using the port to control at least one of the x-ray table, the x-ray emitter, and the catheterization system monitor. 11. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising:detecting radiation levels within the radiation-shielding cubicle; andterminating operation of the x-ray emitter when the detected radiation levels are above a predetermined level. 12. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising monitoring portions of the patient located outside the radiation-shielding cubicle from inside the radiation-shielding cubicle using a video camera. 13. A method in accordance with claim 1 further comprising communicating with the patient from inside the radiation-shielding cubicle using a two-way microphone system.