Dunlee boosts production of 3D-printed anti-scatter grids in response to COVID-19 pandemic

To support patient access to quality CT exams, Dunlee is increasing its output of 3D-printed anti-scatter grids, which are used in CT systems. These pure tungsten grids, manufactured in Best, the Netherlands, absorb unwanted scatter radiation to significantly improve the quality of CT images. For example, within Cone Beam CT, Dunlee’s 2D anti-scatter grids provide an improvement in signal-to-noise ratio up to a factor of 1.7 compared to previous solutions.¹

"As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are in operation around the clock, so we are working closely with our long-term partner EOS to obtain new printers while also fine-tuning our existing printers to increase output," says Jan Laheij, Global Head of Commerce – Imaging Components. "We are fortunate that we can count on quick response from the EOS maintenance and service team to keep our machines running 24/7."

The company also is hiring more operators and engineers, and has re-prioritized projects so it can provide anti-scatter grids as quickly as possible to CT system manufacturers. Laheij notes that Dunlee has reliable suppliers that support its efforts to ramp up production, as well as dedicated employees who are developing innovative ideas to improve productivity. "While the pandemic is impacting our lives and our way of working, our customers remain the focus of everything we do," he says.

^1. Altunbas, C., Kavanagh, B., Alexeev, T., & Miften, M. (2017). Transmission characteristics of a two dimensional antiscatter grid prototype for CBCT. Medical physics, 44(8), 3952-3964.