06.28.11
PolyOne Corp. and Siemens Healthcare have developed non-lead radiation shielding components for Siemens’ newest line of computed tomography (CT) scanners.
As a result of the collaboration, Siemens was able to design and produce components with radiation shielding performance equal to lead while eliminating machining and reducing shielding costs compared to traditional machined metal and lead parts, officials from both companies recently said.
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. For its new CT scanner line, designers sought a replacement for lead, a material traditionally used for internal radiation shielding components. The project also involved a component supplier, Reiter-HG Geiger, an injection molding company.
The material technology team at Siemens Healthcare decided to switch to a non-lead solution in order to stay one step ahead of a potential RoHS—restriction of hazardous substances— regulatory ban on lead. The team also wanted to explore the benefits of injection molding to increase productivity, eliminate machining, and expand design freedom for these components.
Together with Reiter-HG Geiger, the Siemens team searched for an eco-conscious replacement that would effectively shield X-rays up to 140 keV while offering additional manufacturing benefits. Two different application areas were targeted initially: a printed circuit board controller unit, and shielding plates for various electronic components linked to each of the numerous detector elements.
To protect sensitive electronic components from degradation due to X-ray exposure during a CT scan, shielding elements are necessary. Traditionally, designs have required parts produced by machining or casting lead. Those lead-based components necessitated a great deal of care in handling and required assembly using hot cure adhesives. For a replacement, the team sought an injection moldable material having equivalent radiation shielding performance as compared to lead and providing uniform shielding with no “hot spots.”
Working together with Siemens and Reiter-HG Geiger, PolyOne’s technical team enabled the switch from lead with new material solutions based on a high-density, metallic filled material called Trilliant Healthcare Radiation Shielding Compound. It is a highly filled polymer, based on PolyOne’s Gravi-Tech technology.
According to Cleveland, Ohio-based PolyOne, Trilliant blocked radiation at levels equal to those of pure lead. Officials also noted that optimal dispersion of the metallic filler avoided the hot spots where radiation could leak out.
As a result of the collaboration, Siemens was able to design and produce components with radiation shielding performance equal to lead while eliminating machining and reducing shielding costs compared to traditional machined metal and lead parts, officials from both companies recently said.
Siemens Healthcare is one of the world's largest suppliers to the healthcare industry. For its new CT scanner line, designers sought a replacement for lead, a material traditionally used for internal radiation shielding components. The project also involved a component supplier, Reiter-HG Geiger, an injection molding company.
The material technology team at Siemens Healthcare decided to switch to a non-lead solution in order to stay one step ahead of a potential RoHS—restriction of hazardous substances— regulatory ban on lead. The team also wanted to explore the benefits of injection molding to increase productivity, eliminate machining, and expand design freedom for these components.
Together with Reiter-HG Geiger, the Siemens team searched for an eco-conscious replacement that would effectively shield X-rays up to 140 keV while offering additional manufacturing benefits. Two different application areas were targeted initially: a printed circuit board controller unit, and shielding plates for various electronic components linked to each of the numerous detector elements.
To protect sensitive electronic components from degradation due to X-ray exposure during a CT scan, shielding elements are necessary. Traditionally, designs have required parts produced by machining or casting lead. Those lead-based components necessitated a great deal of care in handling and required assembly using hot cure adhesives. For a replacement, the team sought an injection moldable material having equivalent radiation shielding performance as compared to lead and providing uniform shielding with no “hot spots.”
Working together with Siemens and Reiter-HG Geiger, PolyOne’s technical team enabled the switch from lead with new material solutions based on a high-density, metallic filled material called Trilliant Healthcare Radiation Shielding Compound. It is a highly filled polymer, based on PolyOne’s Gravi-Tech technology.
According to Cleveland, Ohio-based PolyOne, Trilliant blocked radiation at levels equal to those of pure lead. Officials also noted that optimal dispersion of the metallic filler avoided the hot spots where radiation could leak out.