PET/CT is an imaging equipment that integrates the positron emission tomography imaging and CTE. It has the functions of PET and CT, which is the most advanced imaging equipment in clinical nuclear medicine areas.

Since PET/CT systems (including positron computed tomography devices and matched cyclotron) can produce ionizing radiation when being used, which is harmful to people. So shield against external radiation is required.

 

Tungsten alloy is widely used in shielding materials. Tungsten heavy alloy shield is mainly composed of more than 90% of the tungsten powder and other metal powder such as nickel, iron, copper powder mixture. It has high density, high radiation shielding properties, and environmental friendly, which has been the top choice of manufacturing medical radiation shield.

 

 

PET/CT system consists of 4 parts: cyclotron for producing radioactive nuclide, synthesis of radioactive drug, examination of radioactive substance, examinee injection of radiopharmaceuticals and waiting for diagnosis and PET/CT scanning. The main external beam in radiopharmaceutical synthesis room and PET/CT scan room is gamma ray. X, gamma rays generated during CT scan will cause unnecessary radiation damage to medical staff and patients. 

 

Medical PET/CT tungsten alloy shield is able to absorb ray that can penetrate human body, and it also can shield the radiation from the control and non-control areas to ensure the health of radiation workers. During scanning, tungsten alloy shielding walls are provided between the engine room and the control room to prevent radiation .

 

Since tungsten has high hardness and high density, it’s well suited for medical applications such as X rays and radiation protection. Usually, the absorption capacity of X rays and gamma rays is proportional to the density of the shielding material. Because medical PET/CT tungsten alloy shield has the advantages of high shielding ability of X-ray and gamma ray, its thickness is only 3mm for preventing gamma rays of 150keV, which is very suitable for occasions that needs high spatial resolution. Tungsten alloy material reduces the size of the radiation shield, but does not affect the ray shielding effect. Besides, as tungsten alloy shielding materials are environmental friendly, they’re very popular all over the world.