In the medical equipment field, tungsten alloy counterweights play a critical role in radiotherapy devices, diagnostic instruments, and high-precision surgical instruments due to their high density, non-toxicity, non-radioactivity, and excellent radiation shielding capabilities.
In radiotherapy equipment (e.g., linear accelerators) and diagnostic instruments (e.g., CT scanners and PET scanners), applications of tungsten alloy counterweights are widespread, serving purposes of weight balance and radiation protection. The rotating components of CT scanners require high-speed operation to capture precise images, and tungsten alloy counterweights ensure rotational stability by adjusting the center of gravity of the detector, significantly improving imaging accuracy. The high-density property of tungsten alloys provides substantial weight in a small volume, reducing equipment size while effectively shielding X-rays and gamma rays, minimizing potential radiation hazards to medical staff and patients. Compared to lead, tungsten alloys are non-toxic and corrosion-resistant, avoiding pollution risks from material aging and extending equipment lifespan.
PET (Positron Emission Tomography) equipment similarly relies on tungsten alloy counterweights to balance detector arrays, ensuring uniformity in data acquisition. Additionally, in linear accelerators, tungsten alloy counterweights are used to adjust the center of gravity of multi-leaf collimators, optimizing beam focusing accuracy and enhancing tumor treatment efficacy.
In magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) equipment, magnetic field uniformity is crucial for image quality. The non-magnetic properties of tungsten-nickel-copper alloys make them ideal counterweight materials, preventing magnetic field interference and improving operational stability and safety. Furthermore, the corrosion resistance of tungsten alloys ensures they do not oxidize easily in humid hospital environments or with disinfectants, guaranteeing long-term reliability.
