Patents Assigned to CURIUM US LLC
  • Patent number: 11972874
    Abstract: Compositions comprising high levels of high specific activity copper-64, and process for preparing said compositions. The compositions comprise from about 2 Ci to about 15 Ci of copper-64 and have specific activities up to about 3800 mCi copper-64 per microgram of copper. The processes for preparing said compositions comprise bombarding a nickel-64 target with a low energy, high current proton beam, and purifying the copper-64 from other metals by a process comprising ion exchange chromatography or a process comprising a combination of extraction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: CURIUM US LLC
    Inventors: David Pipes, Lauren Radford, William Uhland, Brian Regna, Craig Brunkhorst
  • Patent number: 11851221
    Abstract: Production systems for producing a radioactive drug product include a hot cell having a radiation isolating shielding and a dispensing unit positioned within the hot cell. The dispensing unit includes a manipulator arm for manipulating a closure component of a vial. The system further includes a pneumatic line extending from the manipulator arm and through the radiation isolating shielding to a location outside of the hot cell and a pressure sensor connected to the pneumatic line and positioned outside of the radiation isolating shielding. The pressure sensor is operable to detect air pressure within the pneumatic line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventor: Bryan Scott Petrofsky
  • Patent number: 11798701
    Abstract: Compositions comprising high levels of high specific activity copper-64, and process for preparing said compositions. The compositions comprise from about 2 Ci to about 15 Ci of copper-64 and have specific activities up to about 3800 mCi copper-64 per microgram of copper. The processes for preparing said compositions comprise bombarding a nickel-64 target with a low energy, high current proton beam, and purifying the copper-64 from other metals by a process comprising ion exchange chromatography or a process comprising a combination of extraction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: David Pipes, Lauren Radford, William Uhland, Brian Regna, Craig Brunkhorst
  • Patent number: 11679979
    Abstract: Methods and systems for producing Xenon-133 are disclosed. A method for producing Xenon-133 includes collecting an off gas from a Molybdenum-99 production process in a storage tank. The off gas includes Xenon-133 and Krypton-85. The method further includes selectively adsorbing Xenon-133 from the off gas onto a charcoal column assembly such that Xenon-133 is selectively adsorbed onto the charcoal column assembly relative to Krypton-85. The method further includes desorbing the Xenon-133 from the charcoal column assembly by heating the charcoal column assembly, and condensing the Xenon-133 within a coil assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: Luis Antonio M. M. Barbosa, Sven V. Gerritsen, Martinus J. A. Schackmann, Paul A. Gronland, Brian Hierholzer
  • Patent number: 11581103
    Abstract: Compositions comprising high levels of high specific activity copper-64, and process for preparing said compositions. The compositions comprise from about 2 Ci to about 15 Ci of copper-64 and have specific activities up to about 3800 mCi copper-64 per microgram of copper. The processes for preparing said compositions comprise bombarding a nickel-64 target with a low energy, high current proton beam, and purifying the copper-64 from other metals by a process comprising ion exchange chromatography or a process comprising a combination of extraction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: David Pipes, Lauren Radford, William Uhland, Brian Regna, Craig Brunkhorst
  • Patent number: 11521762
    Abstract: Compositions comprising high levels of high specific activity copper-64, and process for preparing said compositions. The compositions comprise from about 2 Ci to about 15 Ci of copper-64 and have specific activities up to about 3800 mCi copper-64 per microgram of copper. The processes for preparing said compositions comprise bombarding a nickel-64 target with a low energy, high current proton beam, and purifying the copper-64 from other metals by a process comprising ion exchange chromatography or a process comprising a combination of extraction chromatography and ion exchange chromatography.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: CURIUM US LLC
    Inventors: David Pipes, Lauren Radford, William Uhland, Brian Regna, Craig Brunkhorst
  • Patent number: 11421336
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method for electroplating an alpha emitting radionuclide, such as an actinide, for use in alpha spectroscopy. The electrodeposition system for electroplating an alpha emitting radionuclide can include an electroplating cell containing a solution of an electrolyte and the alpha emitting radionuclide, a metal target within the electroplating cell, and a metal anode at a distance from the metal target. The system also includes a platform for supporting the electroplating cell, coupling mechanism connected to the platform, an electric motor on the elastic cushion, and a flywheel with an uneven weight distribution operatively connected to the electric motor. Rotation of the unevenly distributed flywheel generates a vibration in the electroplating cell which dislodges gas bubbles that have formed between the metal target and the metal anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: CURIUM US LLC
    Inventors: William Claude Uhland, Arend Booij, Marjolijn Gerritsen
  • Patent number: 11380453
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of separating Mo-99 from W-187 from a solution comprising Mo-99 and W-187. The method comprises contacting a tridentate diglycolanude ligand with a solution comprising Mo-99 and W-187 and eluting W-187 from the tridentate diglycolanude ligand to thereby an eluate comprising W-187.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventor: Arend Booij
  • Patent number: 11195633
    Abstract: Gallium-68 generators that are capable of producing gallium-68 from a germanium-68 source material are disclosed. The source material may be a matrix material (e.g., zeolite) in which germanium-68 is isomorphously substituted for central atoms in tetrahedra within the matrix material. Methods for forming gallium-68 generators are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventor: Luis Antonio M. M. Barbosa
  • Patent number: 11186389
    Abstract: A unit dose container production system (10) is disclosed where a unit dose container (130) is evacuated and thereafter loaded with a radioactive fluid while remaining at a single location. In this regard, the production system (10) uses a first conveyor (12) to sequentially load unit dose containers (130) into an empty container receptacle (24) of a second conveyor (20) at a first location (90). The second conveyor (20) may be operated to dispose a container receptacle (24) at each of the first location (90), a second location (100), and a third location (110). A unit dose container (130) at the second location (100) is evacuated and thereafter loaded with a radioactive fluid, and is thereafter moved to a third location (110) by the second conveyor (20). The unit dose container (130) is removed from the second conveyor (20) at the third location (110), and thereafter the radioactivity content of a unit dose container (130) may be determined, such as at an ionization chamber or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: CURIUM US LLC
    Inventors: Sumit Verma, Kevin B. Graves
  • Patent number: 11189388
    Abstract: Methods for purifying the molybdenum-99 isotope are disclosed. Molybdenum-99 is loaded onto an anion exchange column and extracted. In some embodiments, the extraction solution may include nitric acid and nitrate salts. In other embodiments, a two stage elution is performed in which a nitric acid containing eluent and a hydroxide containing eluent are used in succession to extract molybdenum-99.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: Luis Antonio M. M. Barbosa, Frits Dekker, Marjolijn Gerritsen, Mark David Hermeler
  • Patent number: 10928545
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gamma-ray attenuator and a gamma-ray shield for use in gamma-ray spectroscopy. The gamma-ray attenuator is a sleeve comprising a wall, a distal end, and a proximal end. The distal end of the sleeve is closed, and the proximal end of the sleeve forms an opening. A copper insert, a tin insert and a tungsten insert are installed in the sleeve such that the copper insert is adjacent to the distal end and the tungsten insert is closest to the proximal end. The sleeve is comprised of one or more materials that do not substantially attenuate gamma-rays. The open end of the sleeve fits over a tungsten safe that is operable to hold a radionuclide sample. When fitted together, a gamma-ray attenuator and a safe comprise a gamma-ray shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: Bart Schaap, Sterling Marshall
  • Patent number: 10801120
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method for electroplating an alpha emitting radionuclide, such as an actinide, for use in alpha spectroscopy. The electrodeposition system for electroplating an alpha emitting radionuclide can include an electroplating cell containing a solution of an electrolyte and the alpha emitting radionuclide, a metal target within the electroplating cell, and a metal anode at a distance from the metal target. The system also includes a platform for supporting the electroplating cell, coupling mechanism connected to the platform, an electric motor on the elastic cushion, and a flywheel with an uneven weight distribution operatively connected to the electric motor. Rotation of the unevenly distributed flywheel generates a vibration in the electroplating cell which dislodges gas bubbles that have formed between the metal target and the metal anode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: William Claude Uhland, Arend Booij, Marjolijn Gerritsen
  • Patent number: 10796810
    Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a new process for generating germanium-68 from an irradiated target body. The process includes irradiation of the target body followed by various extraction techniques to generate the germanium-68.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: William C Uhland, David Wayne Pipes, Melissa Dianne Perrigo
  • Patent number: 10777331
    Abstract: Processes for producing germanium-68 from a gallium target body are disclosed. In some embodiments, germanium-68 and gallium are precipitated to remove metal impurities. Germanium-68 and gallium are re-dissolved and loaded onto an ion exchange column to separate germanium-68 from gallium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: David Pipes, William Uhland, Melissa Perrigo, Mark Owens
  • Patent number: 10767243
    Abstract: A process for purifying Mo-99 from an acidic solution obtained by dissolving an irradiated solid target comprising uranium in an acidic medium, or from an acidic solution comprising uranium and which has previously been irradiated in a nuclear reactor, or from an acidic solution comprising uranium and which has been used as reactor fuel in a homogeneous reactor, the process comprising contacting the acidic solution with an adsorbent comprising a zirconium oxide, zirconium hydroxide, zirconium alkoxide, zirconium halide and/or zirconium oxide halide, and eluting the Mo-99 from the adsorbent using a solution of a strong base, the eluate then being subjected to a subsequent purification process involving an alkaline-based Mo-99 chromatographic recovery step on an anion exchange material. Also provided is apparatus for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventor: Luis A. M. M. Barbosa
  • Patent number: 10710885
    Abstract: Calibration devices including germanium-68 source material are disclosed. The source material may be a matrix material (e.g., zeolite) in which germanium-68 is isomorphously substituted for central atoms in tetrahedra within the matrix material. Methods for preparing such calibration devices are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: CURIUM US LLC
    Inventor: Luis Antonio M. M. Barbosa
  • Patent number: 10688209
    Abstract: A system includes a radiation containment chamber, an isolator connected to the radiation containment chamber, a rotating transfer door positioned between the radiation containment chamber and the isolator, and an antimicrobial vapor generator connected to the isolator. The rotating transfer door includes a cavity for receiving a radionuclide generator column assembly, and is rotatable between a first position, in which the cavity is open to the radiation containment chamber, and a second position, in which the cavity is open to the isolator. The transfer door is adapted to rotate while antimicrobial vapor is introduced into the isolator by the antimicrobial vapor generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: John Schmitz, Michael J. D'Hooge, Andrew M. Schadt, Gregory Bengard, Sumit Verma, Kevin B. Graves, Bryan S. Petrofsky
  • Patent number: 10625951
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing radionuclide generators includes an enclosure defining a radioactive environment. The enclosure includes radiation shielding to prevent radiation within the radioactive environment from moving to an exterior of the enclosure. The system also includes a conveyance system having a forward track and first carriages positioned on and movable along the forward track for conveying racks in a first direction. The conveyance system also includes a first walking beam mechanism magnetically coupled to the first carriages to move the first carriages. The conveyance system further includes a return track and second carriages positioned on and movable along the return track for conveying racks in a second direction opposite the first direction. The forward track and the return track form a loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: Michael J. D'Hooge, Sumit Verma, Kevin B. Graves, Bryan S. Petrofsky
  • Patent number: 10578094
    Abstract: A system for manufacturing radionuclide generators includes an enclosure defining a radioactive environment. The enclosure includes radiation shielding to prevent radiation within the radioactive environment from moving to an exterior of the enclosure. The system also includes a pump within the enclosure for transferring fluid through tubing. The pump includes a pump head including a casing, a rotor that rotates in relation to the casing, and a clamp. The tubing extends through the pump head. The clamp compresses the tubing against the rotor and directs radioactive fluid through the tubing as the rotor rotates. The pump also includes a servomotor that controls the rotation of the rotor and a coupling connecting the pump head to the servomotor. The coupling prevents backlash between the servomotor and the rotor during rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Curium US LLC
    Inventors: Martin R. Walker, Ryan W. Lenger, Kevin B. Graves, Bryan S. Petrofsky