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      Medical

      Saint-Gobain Crystals has been a key supplier to the Medical Market for decades. For imaging applications, Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) crystals and detectors have been provided by Saint-Gobain (including its predecessor companies Bicron and Harshaw) since the modalities were introduced. In addition, Saint-Gobain provides detectors for a variety of other Medical applications, including Bone Mineral Densitometry (BMD), Radioimmunoassay (RIA), surgical probes, blood analysis and whole body scanning. Saint-Gobain also provides radiotranslucent sapphire for use in Intraoperative CT and MRI Imaging without distortion or artifacts.

      Medical Scanner with image
      • PET
      • SPECT
      • Analysis and Other
      • BMD
      • Intraoperative

      Positron Emission Tomography image

      Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

      Pixellated arrays of high stopping power scintillation crystals are used in PET systems to image patients for cancer, Alzheimer’s Disease, cardiac issues and other health problems. 

      PET technique evolved in the mid-1970’s and uses positron emitting isotopes (e.g. C-11, O-15, F-18) to study chemical and biological processes in the body. PET detectors require that the detector material be of high enough Z to maximize the photoelectric cross sections for 511 keV, be fast enough to handle the count rates involved, and be able to distinguish coincident events. 

      LYSO and BGO are traditional materials used in this application.  The introduction of LaBr3(Ce) has opened up unprecedented performance levels for Time of Flight systems.  Monolithic crystals, in some cases mounted directly on light sensors such as PMTs or SiPMs, may also be used.

       

      Related Materials Resources

      • Medical Brochure
      • Array Brochure
      • LSYO Material Data Sheet
      • BGO Material Data Sheet
      • LaBr Material Data Sheet

      Related Products 

      • Nuclear Imaging
      • Pixellated Arrays

       

       

       

      NaI(Tl) scintillation for nuclear imaging, imaging systems Planar and Single Photon Computerized Tomography (SPECT)

      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.

       

      Related Materials Resources

      • Medical Brochure
      • Array Brochure
      • CsI(Tl) & (Na) Material Data Sheet
      • NaI(Tl) Material Data Sheet

      Related Products 

      • Nuclear Imaging

       

       

       

       

      Radioimmunoassay blood test machine

      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.

       

      Related Materials Resources

      • BGO Material Data Sheet
      • LaBr Material Data Sheet
      • NaI(Tl) Material Data Sheet
      • CsI(Tl) & (Na) Material Data Sheet
      • CdWO4 Material Data Sheet

      Related Products 

      • Standard Detector Assemblies
      • Scintillating Fiber
      • Optical Plastic Components
      • Pixellated Arrays

       

       

       

      Bone Density scanner uses NaI(Tl) detector

      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.

       

      Related Materials Resources

      • NaI(Tl) Material Data Sheet
      • LYSO Material Data Sheet

      Related Products 

      • Standard Detector Assemblies
      • Pixellated Arrays

       

      Laser skin treatment
      Laser Ablation
      Long Sapphire Tubes

      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 & 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

       

      Related Materials Resources

      • Sapphire Material Data Sheet

      Related Products 

      • Synthetic Sapphire Material

       

       Contact us to learn more!

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