Innovative Application of PMI Foam in CT Tabletops: Enhancing Imaging Quality and Patient Experience

In the field of medical imaging equipment, advancements in computed tomography (CT) technology consistently focus on improving image quality, reducing radiation doses, and optimizing the patient experience. The CT tabletop, a key component that directly supports the patient, is crucial, and its material selection is paramount. Recently, Polymethacrylimide (PMI) foam has emerged as a core material in manufacturing high-end CT tabletops, driving medical imaging technology to new heights due to its unique properties.

Performance Advantages of PMI Foam

PMI foam is a closed-cell rigid foam based on polymethacrylimide, characterized by a fine and uniform cell structure and high closed-cell content . Its application in medical CT tabletops offers significant advantages:

High Specific Strength and Specific Modulus: PMI foam is one of the porous materials with the highest specific stiffness and strength , providing sufficient structural support for CT tabletops while enabling lightweight design.

Excellent X-ray Transmittance: CT tabletops using a "carbon fiber + PMI foam" sandwich structure can achieve an X-ray transmittance as high as 99%, with an aluminum equivalent value of only 11% of traditional aluminum boards , significantly reducing X-ray attenuation and imaging artifacts.

High-Temperature Resistance: PMI foam can withstand curing processes at temperatures up to 180°C , making it suitable for various composite molding processes like autoclave and RTM, ensuring stability during manufacturing.

Technical Application in CT Tabletops

PMI foam is typically used in a sandwich structure for CT tabletops. For example, in one design of a carbon fiber PMI sandwich composite CT radiotherapy tabletop, the PMI foam layer is embedded with plastic blocks and encapsulated with an epoxy adhesive film and carbon fiber layer . This structure not only enhances the tabletop's overall strength but also achieves:

Lightweight: Up to 40% weight reduction compared to traditional tabletops , reducing equipment operational load.

High Rigidity: A flexural modulus of up to 18 GPa ensures patient safety and scanning accuracy .

Processing Flexibility: PMI foam is easily processed using thermoforming and CNC machining, allowing for the manufacture of high-precision cores with complex geometries .

Value in Medical Imaging

The application of PMI foam in CT tabletops brings multiple benefits to medical imaging:

Enhanced Image Quality: Low X-ray absorption characteristics reduce image artifacts, providing clearer images for diagnosis.

Optimized Patient Experience: Lightweight tabletops facilitate easier lifting operations, potentially reducing patient transfer time by 50% .

Reduced Radiation Dose: High transmittance allows for lower radiation intensity, reducing cumulative exposure for patients and medical staff.

Market Prospects and Development Trends

According to market research, the global market size for medical carbon fiber CT tabletops was approximately 3 million in 2024, with sales of about 29,500 units . With the growing demand for precision medicine, the prospects for PMI foam in medical imaging are broad. Future development trends include:

Material Innovation: Further enhancing the mechanical properties and imaging compatibility of PMI foam through surface modification and composite technologies.

Intelligent Manufacturing: Integrating digital twin technology for real-time performance monitoring and predictive maintenance .

Green Sustainability: Developing closed-loop recycling technologies to reduce the product's full lifecycle carbon emissions .

Conclusion

With its advantages of light weight, high strength, high X-ray transmittance, and process adaptability, PMI foam is redefining the technical standards for CT tabletops. As material science and medical imaging technology deepen their integration, PMI foam will play an increasingly important role in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and optimizing patient care, providing continuous innovation momentum for the development of high-end medical equipment.