New plastic can lower X-ray radiation doses

Toray Industries Inc. has developed a carbon fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) component that reduces X-ray radiation doses by 8% while maintaining or improving image quality. This innovation utilizes a sandwich structure with Toray's proprietary carbon fiber-reinforced foam, which is both lightweight and highly radiolucent. The company aims to apply this component in X-ray examination equipment, such as mammography breast supports and cassettes, to enhance diagnostic precision and reduce medical exposure risks.

X-ray examinations are crucial for early disease detection, but they also pose risks due to radiation exposure. Technologies that provide clear diagnostic images without increasing radiation doses are essential. In Japan, the Japan Network for Research and Information on Medical Exposure collects data to optimize patient radiation doses. Protective CFRP components are used in X-ray equipment for their lightweight and radiolucent properties, but further improvements in radiolucency are needed.

Toray's sandwich structure, incorporating carbon fiber-reinforced foam, addresses this need by offering low density and high rigidity while minimizing density variations. Clinical evaluations by Associate Professor Toru Negishi at Tokyo Metropolitan University confirmed that this design improves detective quantum efficiency by about 6% compared to conventional CFRP. This allows for diagnostic images of equal or greater clarity with reduced X-ray doses, potentially improving diagnostic precision in medical imaging equipment.

Under its TORAY VISION 2050, Toray Industries Inc. is committed to advancing technologies that contribute to health and comfort worldwide. The company, a global leader in advanced materials innovation, comprises over 300 affiliated companies and approximately 46,000 employees. Since its founding in 1926, Toray has expanded its business across various sectors, including carbon fiber composite materials and medical products.