Irradiation target handling device for moving a target into a nuclear reactor

An irradiation target handling device having an isotope production cable assembly comprising:

• a drive cable configured for use with an existing nuclear reactor drive mechanism for cable drive systems configured to insert and withdraw sensors within nuclear reactor cores, wherein an interior of the drive cable comprises a signal lead;
• a self-powered radiation detector, wherein the self-powered radiation detector is spirally wound and wrapped around an axial length of the drive cable, wherein the self-powered radiation detector is located on the drive cable proximate one end of the drive cable that is designed to be inserted into a flux thimble in a core of a nuclear reactor, wherein the self-powered radiation detector comprises a length configured to provide a preselected signal output with a minimal axial length from end to end of the spiral such that the self-powered radiation detector provides an output indicative of reactor flux at a position of the self-powered radiation detector position in a reactor core to optimize an axial position of a target material supported by and proximate the one end of the drive cable;
• a one of a female end or male end of a quick disconnect coupling attached to the one end of the drive cable;
• and
• a target holder element cable assembly having another of the female end or male end of the quick disconnect coupling at one end of the target holder element cable assembly, configured to attach to and detach from the one of the female or male end attached to the one end of the drive cable, the target holder element cable assembly having a target material holder configured to hold the target material as the drive cable is inserted and withdrawn through the flux thimble.