Medical

Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) 

Large flat sodium iodide NaI(Tl) crystals, known as gamma camera plates, are the standard for planar or SPECT cameras.  These are used for general purpose (whole body) or organ-specific machines. 

Nuclear imaging systems called gamma cameras determine the radiation distribution, transit time or uptake of a pharmaceutical labeled with a suitable, short-lived radioactive nuclide administered to the patient.  The camera’s externally placed NaI(Tl) detector plates measure the radiation, and special imaging devices display the radioactivity distribution. The images yield information about the function of an organ or part of the body.  SPECT and PET are two of the imaging techniques used.

Blood Analysis and Other Applications

Radiation detectors are used in a variety of Medical applications.  These include well type detectors to analyze blood samples in test tubes for Radioimmunoassay (RIA), blood volume, red blood cell and other tests.  Detectors are also used in surgical probes or whole body scanners.  Optical fibers or light guides can also be used in medical imaging applications, particularly where positional information is required or to separate the photomultiplier tubes from high magnetic fields, such as in PET/MR systems.  Pixellated arrays can be used for CT and other imaging applications.

Typical configurations include packaged detectors and fully integrated solutions including the photomultiplier tube (PMT) or silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and electronics.

Bone Mineral Densitometry

Detectors with NaI(Tl) crystals integrated with photomultiplier tubes provide an excellent mix of value and performance to measure X-Rays in Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD) systems.  Detectors are also available with special low energy entrance windows if required.  Other crystals, such as PreLude 420 (LYSO), and light sensors, such as photodiodes and silicon photomultipliers, are also good options for BMD.

Sapphire for Intraoperative Imaging

To enable better patient outcomes, medical applications entail stringent quality and performance requirements. Saint-Gobain Crystals has been serving the unique needs of our medical OEM’s with Sapphire (single crystal aluminum oxide) in formats such as tubes, pins & rods.

Due to the combination of unique optical, mechanical and electrical properties, sapphire is often the only material available to solve complex engineering design problems.

Features and Benefits

• Transmits in the UV - visible - IR wavelengths, making sapphire ideal for:

  • Ablation Procedures

  • Cosmetic Laser Dermatology
     

• Sapphire is radiolucent; ideal for use in CT, MRI and other X-ray intraoperative imaging procedures, resulting in clear imagery, allowing enhanced diagnostic capability.

• High thermal conductivity Allowing for enhanced cooling for laser procedures

• Chemically inert, hard, abrasion resistant and biocompatible

• Complex shapes achieved by machining, bonding, lamination