Composites make advances in devices for medical diagnosis and treatments that promote healing and help return patients to active lives.
Superior strength, fatigue resistance, and ultra light weight are only a few reasons why advanced composites have been used for many years in the medical device industry. In recent years, there have been great technological advancements as well as wider acceptance of the use of advanced composites in orthotics, prosthetics, and imaging support equipment. The biocompatibility characteristics of many composites materials have even gained favor in both hard and soft tissue implant applications.
One of the fastest growing uses of advanced composites in the medical industry is in patient imaging tables and accessories used in X-ray, MRI, PET, and CT imaging systems. Carbon fiber composites are radiolucent, absorbing low levels of radiant energy. This characteristic minimizes signal attenuation to enable capture of clear images for use in medical diagnostics.