Production of X-Ray Absorbing Ceramics and Products Based on Them for Radiotherapy of the Periorbital Eye Region

Abstract

The paper presents an innovative method for producing high-density ceramics based on bioinert tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) and eye shield products utilizing spark plasma sintering (SPS) technology. Eye shields are in high demand for protecting the cornea and other parts of the eye from ionizing radiation during periorbital eye procedures, such as laser therapy, radiotherapy, and Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). The dynamics of consolidation of microcrystalline Ta2O5 powder under spark plasma heating conditions in the temperature range of 1000–1400 °C were investigated. The structure, phase, and elemental composition of polycrystalline ceramic samples, including the calculation of crystal structure parameters, were studied using XRD, SEM, and EDS methods. The optimal SPS parameters for achieving maximum relative density (up to 100%) and Vickers microhardness (up to 510 HV) of the obtained ceramics were determined. The performance properties of the ceramics were examined under conditions of a session of short-focus radiation therapy applied to the periorbital facial area. A dosimetric assessment of the absorbing capacity of the ceramics under X-ray irradiation in modes from 40 to 120 keV was conducted. A prototype of a ceramic eye shield product based on Ta2O5 was developed and manufactured for the first time using SPS technology.

Keywords: ceramics, Ta2O5, eye shields, ionizing radiation, absorption, radiation therapy, spark plasma sintering (SPS)