Sophisticated engineered components from H.C. Starck Solutions allow molecular imaging and nuclear medicine to absorb gamma radiation and X-rays to offer safer diagnostic and therapeutic treatment. The tungsten alloy components from H.C. Starck Solutions are employed in brachytherapy, PET scanners, gamma cameras, and the handling of radioactive isotopes.
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H.C. Starck Solutions is a global leader in refractory metals technology and has a reliable integrated supply chain providing high-performance materials from powders to semi-finished and finished products. The company partners with its customers to develop components for the most advanced radiation shielding technology including build-to-print components and design assistance in machining tungsten alloy materials.
Materials
- Tungsten alloy powders for 3D binder jet printing
- Tungsten and tungsten alloys
Applications
- PET scanners and radiotherapy
- Radioactive isotopes injection shielding, storage, and transport
- Radioactive source containers for isotope
Radiation Shielding with Tungsten Alloys
Radiation shielding plays an important role in nuclear medicine, specifically for handling radioactive materials. Tungsten alloys are used for shielding against radiation contamination in radioactive source containers used for transporting radioactive materials from PET isotope production centers to cancer treatment hospitals, and in syringe covers for injecting radioactive isotopes. H.C. Starck Solutions’ 3D printed collimator parts operate as gamma camera collimators and PET SEPTA plates are manufactured for collimation shielding in PET scanners.
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H.C. Starck Solutions’ Fabricated Products for Nuclear Medicine
H.C. Starck Solutions provides complex-shaped components with the density in the range of 17.2–18.5 g/cc per customer design.
| Materials |
Fabricated Products |
Application |
End Use |
| Tungsten Alloys |
|
- Cancer Treatment "Afterloader“
|
- Radioactive Source Handling Components
- Brachytherapy
- Tc99 Generator
|
| Tungsten Alloys |
|
- Radioactive Isotope Shielding
- Vial Shielding
|
- Radioactive Isotope Injection
|
| Tungsten Alloys |
|
|
|
| Tungsten Alloy Powders |
- Gamma Camera Collimator 3D Printed Parts
|
- Collimators
- Anti-Scatter Grids
- Binder Jet Printing
|
|
Tungsten’s Radiation Absorption Efficiency
The absorption of gamma radiation and X-rays is directly proportional to the density of the shielding material.
H.C. Starck Solutions’ tungsten alloys are 1.5 times more effective than lead and offer very effective protection, specifically in restricted spaces.
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Gamma Ray Energy (MeV)
Radiation absorption efficiency
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by H.C. Starck Solutions.
For more information on this source, please visit H.C. Starck Solutions.