Abstract: A method of providing alpha particle emitters and materials suitable for use in generating the alpha particles for medical treatment is disclosed. Metal oxide targets, preferentially Bi2O3 pellets and Bi2O3 coatings on metallic or metal oxide substrates are formed. The targets placed in a heated vacuum chamber subjecting to irradiation using a 6Li beam at an elevated temperature below the melting point of the target generate a radioactive gas, such as 211Rn, the radioactive gas is carried by an inert gas which is delivered a carrier for, such as a carbon column or oil for delivery to a treatment facility. The radioactive gas such as 211Rn generates 211At, which has a useable half-life of at least about 14 hours, in turn releases alpha particles which are effective for use in medical procedures.

Abstract: Compositions of high specific activity 117mSn with specific activity of greater than 100 Ci/g Sn and methods of producing the same. The method includes exposing 116Cd to an ?-particle beam of sufficient incident kinetic energy and duration to convert a portion of the 116Cd to 117mSn to form an irradiated material. The irradiated material is dissolved to form an intermediate solution containing 117mSn and 116Cd. The 117mSn is separated from the 116Cd to yield high specific activity 117mSn.

Abstract: A target supply apparatus includes a tank for storing a liquid target material, a nozzle for outputting the liquid target material in the tank, and a gas supply source for supplying gas into the tank, and controls a gas pressure inside the tank with a pressure of the gas supplied from the gas supply source which is provided with a pressure regulator. The target supply apparatus also includes a pressure-decrease gas passage of which one end is connected to the tank and the other end forms an exhaust port, a pressure-decrease valve provided on the pressure-decrease gas passage, and a controller for controlling open/close of the pressure-decrease valve. The controller, when the target material is caused not to output from the nozzle, opens the pressure-decrease valve and decreases the pressure inside the tank.

Abstract: Compositions of high specific activity 117mSn with specific activity of greater than 100 Ci/g Sn and methods of producing the same. The method includes exposing 116Cd to an ?-particle beam of sufficient incident kinetic energy and duration to convert a portion of the 116Cd to 117mSn to form an irradiated material. The irradiated material is dissolved to form an intermediate solution containing 117mSn and 116Cd. The 117mSn is separated from the 116Cd to yield high specific activity 117mSn.

Abstract: This disclosure concerns a new method for preparing radioisotopes, such as molybdenum-99, by alpha particle irradiation, such as by alpha particle irradiation of zirconium-96. Molybdenum-99 is a precursor to the medically-significant radioisotope technetium-99m. Also disclosed are novel compositions containing one or more of technetium-99m, molybdenum-99 and zirconium species. Systems for producing molybdenum-99 and technetium-99m, including alpha particle generators and irradiation targets, also are described.

Abstract: An improved biomarker generator and a method suitable for efficiently producing short lived radiopharmaceuticals in quantities on the order of a unit dose. The improved biomarker generator includes a particle accelerator and a radiopharmaceutical micro-synthesis system. The micro-accelerator of the improved biomarker generator is optimized for producing radioisotopes useful in synthesizing radiopharmaceuticals in quantities on the order of one unit dose allowing for significant reductions in size, power requirements, and weight when compared to conventional radiopharmaceutical cyclotrons.

Abstract: An apparatus for containing and cooling enriched water for the production of activated fluorine (18F). A target assembly includes internal cooling channels in which developed flow of a coolant removes the heat from the target liquid in the target chamber. In one embodiment, the target assembly is fabricated of tantalum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a manufacturing facility comprising a building structure which encloses working space of the manufacturing facility, the building structure being designed to house a cyclotron and to be transportable by truck or rail to a destination site, wherein the manufacturing facility, except for lacking a cyclotron during transport, is substantially equipped during transport to produce and package a radiopharmaceutical. The invention also relates to a method of providing a manufacturing facility for producing a radioactive material, the method comprising the steps of designing the manufacturing facility to receive a cyclotron; equipping the manufacturing facility with a synthesis unit which is designed to receive a first radioactive material from the cyclotron and to produce a second radioactive material; transporting the manufacturing facility to a site; transporting the cyclotron to the site; and enclosing the cyclotron inside the manufacturing facility.

Abstract: In a method for producing a radionuclide, a target chamber is filled with target fluid and pressurized. A particle beam is applied to the target chamber to irradiate target material of the target fluid, and the target fluid becomes heated. The heated target liquid may expand out from the target chamber through a lower opening. A space including target fluid vapor may be created in an upper region of the target chamber. The upper region is sealed to maintain the vapor space.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a radionuclide includes a target chamber including a beam strike region for containing a liquid and a condenser region for containing a vapor. A particle beam source is operatively aligned with the beam strike region, and a lower liquid conduit communicates with the beam strike region. The condenser region is disposed above the beam strike region in fluid communication therewith for receiving heat energy from the beam strike region and transferring condensate to the beam strike region. The lower liquid conduit transfers liquid to and from the beam strike region. In operation, the target chamber acts as a thermosyphon that is self-regulating in response to heat energy deposited by the particle beam source. A portion of the liquid expands into the lower liquid conduit prior to boiling. After boiling begins, a vapor void is created above the liquid and an evaporation/condensation cycle is established, with additional liquid being displaced into the lower liquid conduit.

Abstract: A target grid assembly for employment in a target assembly used to produce radioisotopes by bombarding a target material contained in the target assembly with a particle beam. The target assembly includes the target grid assembly, the target window and a target body enclosed in a target housing. The target body defines a target reservoir for receiving the target material and the target window serves to seal the target reservoir. The target grid assembly includes a vacuum window and a target grid. The target grid defines a target grid portion, a helium input and a helium output. The target grid portion defines a plurality of target grid supports which are configured to form a plurality of target grid oblong openings. The vacuum window is supported against the upstream side of the target grid portion and the target window is supported between the downstream side and the target body.

Abstract: Insuring a constant supply of radioisotopes is of great importance to medicine and industry. This invention addresses this problem, and helps to solve it by introducing a new apparatus for transmutation of isotopes which enables swift and flexible production on demand.

Abstract: A process for producing radionuclides using a porous carbon target. The process includes the steps of inserting a porous carbon target with tailored solid and void dimensions in the path of a bombarding beam; introducing fluid into the porous carbon target; bombarding the porous carbon target to produce at least one type of radionuclide; collecting the fluid and separating the resulting radionuclides.

Abstract: A radioisotope production facility (12) produces radioisotopes having application to Positron Emission Tomography. The radioisotopes produced include .sup.18 F, .sup.13 N, .sup.15 O, and .sup.11 C, and are produced by irradiating a selected target material (40) with a high energy .sup.3 He.sup.++ beam accelerated in a radio frequency quadruple (RFQ) linear accelerator (34). The facility includes, in addition to the RFQ linear accelerator and the selected target, a source of .sup.3 He.sup.++ ions (30), low energy transport means (32) for focusing the .sup.3 He.sup.++ beam into the RFQ linear accelerator, and a high energy transport means (36) for directing the accelerated .sup.3 He.sup.++ beam at the selected target. Further included is a target subsystem (16) that holds the target, automatically prepares precursors containing the .sup.18 F, .sup.13 N, .sup.15 O, and .sup.

Abstract: A process for reliably and consistently producing astatine-211 in small controlled volumes of a solution, which is selected from a choice of solvents that are useful in selected radiopharmaceutical procedures in which the At-211 activities are to be applied.