Patents by Inventor David A. Ehst

David A. Ehst has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20220005625
    Abstract: The present invention provides a target unit and a sublimation apparatus suitable for use in a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The apparatus comprises a sublimation tube with one open end. The sublimation tube contains an ingot comprising Zn68 and Cu67 in a ceramic capsule contacting a closed end the sublimation tube. A removable vacuum dome is sealable over the open end of the sublimation tube so that interior of the apparatus can be placed under vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. EHST, James L. WILLIT
  • Patent number: 11049628
    Abstract: A target unit for producing Cu67 radioisotope is described herein, and comprises a cage body releasably coupled to a screw-on cap; and a ceramic capsule containing a solid Zn68 target ingot and having one open end and one closed end and defining an interior chamber for the target ingot. The ceramic capsule is releasably contained between the cage body and the screw-on cap with a lid disposed on the open end of the capsule and a washer positioned between the lid and the screw-on cap. The screw-on cap and the washer provide a water-tight seal between the lid and the capsule. The interior of the capsule is in intimate physical contact with the target ingot; and the Zn68 of the target ingot is free of traces of residual oxygen that interfere with contact of the Zn68 to the capsule.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Ehst, James L. Willit
  • Publication number: 20200066418
    Abstract: A system for producing and harvesting radioisotopes is provided, the system having a converter housing defining a first beam window; a converter carrier and cartridge in slidable communication with the converter housing; a target housing positioned downstream from the converter housing, the target housing defining a second beam window; and a target carrier in slidable communication with the target housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Publication date: February 27, 2020
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Rotsch, Nicholas A. Smith, David A. Ehst, Sergey A. Chemerisov, Jerry A. Nolen, JR., Michael Alexander Brown, James J. Grudzinski, James L. Bailey, Ronald T. Kmak
  • Publication number: 20190057791
    Abstract: The present invention provides a target unit and a sublimation apparatus for use in a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target within a sealed ceramic capsule with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g. chemical and or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc in a ceramic sublimation tube to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Publication date: February 21, 2019
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. EHST, James L. WILLIT
  • Patent number: 10134497
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target within a sealed ceramic capsule with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g. chemical and or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc in a ceramic sublimation tube to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Ehst, James L. Willit
  • Publication number: 20160284434
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target within a sealed ceramic capsule with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g. chemical and or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc in a ceramic sublimation tube to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Publication date: September 29, 2016
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. EHST, James L. WILLIT
  • Patent number: 9312037
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target within a sealed ceramic capsule with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g. chemical and or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc in a ceramic sublimation tube to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Ehst, James L. Willit
  • Publication number: 20140010338
    Abstract: A target assembly for irradiating Zn68 with high energy gamma rays to form Cu67 is described. The assembly comprises a Zn68 target mass, optionally housed within in a water-tight chamber, the assembly including a plurality of parallel external cooling fins in contact with the Zn68 target mass or the chamber, the Zn68 target mass being removable from the assembly, or separable from the plurality of cooling fins when no chamber is present, so that Cu67 can be isolated from the Zn68 after irradiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 17, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: David A. EHST, Delbert L. BOWERS
  • Patent number: 8526561
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g., chemical and/or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc (e.g., at about 500-700° C. under reduced pressure) to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means (i.e., dissolution in acid, followed by ion exchange).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: UChicago Argonne, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Ehst, Delbert L. Bowers
  • Publication number: 20130083882
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target within a sealed ceramic capsule with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g. chemical and or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc in a ceramic sublimation tube to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: UCHICAGO ARGONNE, LLC
    Inventors: David A. EHST, James L. WILLIT
  • Publication number: 20100028234
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing Cu67 radioisotope suitable for use in medical applications. The method comprises irradiating a metallic zinc-68 (Zn68) target with a high energy gamma ray beam. After irradiation, the Cu67 is isolated from the Zn68 by any suitable method (e.g., chemical and/or physical separation). In a preferred embodiment, the Cu67 is isolated by sublimation of the zinc (e.g., at about 500-700° C. under reduced pressure) to afford a copper residue containing Cu67. The Cu67 can be further purified by chemical means (i.e., dissolution in acid, followed by ion exchange).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: UChicago Argonne, LLC.
    Inventors: David A. Ehst, Delbert L. Bowers