Medical Scanners

There are several key reasons why ceramics are a material of choice for many components in medical scanners:

• Biocompatibility: Most types of ceramics are inert within the human body, meaning they don’t trigger adverse reactions or interact with tissues. This makes them ideal for components that may come into contact with patients during scans.
• High Strength and Durability: Many ceramics offer exceptional strength and resistance to wear and tear. This is crucial for scanner components that need to withstand repeated use and potential pressure from patient positioning.
• X-ray Transparency: Unlike some metals, ceramics allow X-rays to pass through them with minimal interference. This transparency is essential for scanners to capture clear images of internal body structures.
• Electrical Insulation: Most ceramics are excellent electrical insulators, which helps to maintain the electrical integrity of scanner components and protects patients from stray currents. Ceramics have a negligible influence on the magnetic field which allows them to be used inside an MRI during a scan.
• Heat Resistance: Some medical scanners, like CT scanners, generate a lot of heat. Ceramics can handle high temperatures without warping or losing their properties.

A variety of components within medical scanners can benefit from using ceramics. Here are some examples:

• Patient Positioning Components: Tables, pads, and other structures used to position patients during scans can be made from ceramics to ensure strength, stability, and biocompatibility. They may also be used to enhance the resolution or contrast of the imaging.
• Collimators: These components control the X-ray beam within the scanner. Ceramics are often used for their ability to withstand the X-ray radiation and shape the beam precisely.
• Detector Housings: The detectors in medical scanners convert X-rays into electrical signals that create the image. Ceramic housings can shield these delicate components from stray radiation and maintain optimal operating temperatures.
• Insulators: Ceramic insulators separate electrical components within the scanner, preventing unwanted current flow and ensuring safe operation.
• Feedthroughs and Instrumentation: ceramics may be used to provide the power to the electromagnet and also for instrument power distribution through the wall of a scanner.

Ceramics are widely used in various medical imaging technologies, including:

• X-ray machines: These scanners use X-rays to produce basic images of bones and internal structures. Ceramics are often used in collimators and patient positioning components.
• CT scanners (Computed Tomography): These scanners generate detailed cross-sectional images using X-rays. Ceramics play a role in collimators, detector housings, and patient support structures.
• PET scanners (Positron Emission Tomography): These scanners use radiotracers to assess metabolic activity within the body. Some PET manufacturers may utilize ceramics for specific parts due to their mechanical, electrical, thermal and radiation resistance properties.
• New Beam Therapies (Neutron Capture Therapy, Proton Beam Therapy): There are innovative therapies being developed to improve the targeting of cancerous areas in the patient and to reduce side effects from the treatment. All of these new systems will require advanced ceramics as part of the durable electrical, thermal and mechanical components.

It is important to note that the specific types and applications of ceramics may vary depending on the scanner manufacturer and model. In addition to the examples listed above, there will be a multitude of small ceramics parts used in the electronics and control systems, e.g. resistor cores, fuses, surge arrestor sleeves, ceramics substrates, dielectrics, inductor cores and various sensors. These small but critical components are located within all modern engineered systems.