# US 12,183,475 B2 · Method and apparatus for the production of high purity radionuclides > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,183,475 B2 - Document ID: US12183475B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/087,838 - Filed: 2020-11-03 - Published: 2021-02-18 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2015-11-30 - Assignees: Orano Med - Applicants: Orano Med - Inventors: Julien Torgue; Patrick Bourdet; Gilbert Andreoletti; Rémy Dureau; Patrick Maquaire - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12183475B2 ## CPC - G21G 1/0005: {Isotope delivery systems (use of radioisotopes as tracers G21H5/02)} - B01D 15/20: relating to the conditioning of the sorbent material - B01D 15/362: {Cation-exchange} - B01D 15/426: {Specific type of solvent} - C22B 60/0291: {obtaining thorium} - G21G 4/08: specially adapted for medical application (radiation therapy using radioactive sources A61N5/10) - G21G 2001/0094: {Other isotopes not provided for in the groups listed above} - G21G: CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES (applications of radiation in general G21H5/00; handling particles, e.g. neutrons, or electromagnetic radiation not otherwise provided for G21K) - B01D: SEPARATION (separating solids from solids by wet methods B03B, B03D; by pneumatic jigs or tables B03B; by other dry methods B07; magnetic or electrostatic separation of solid materials from solid materials or fluids, separation by high-voltage electric fields B03C; centrifuges, vortex apparatus B04; presses per se for squeezing-out liquid from liquid-containing material B30B9/02; treatment of water C02F, e.g. softening by ion-exchange C02F1/42; {arrangements of air intake cleaners in gas turbine plants F02C7/05} ; arrangements or mounting of filters in air-conditioning, air-humidification or ventilation F24F13/28) - C22B: PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS (electrolytic C25); PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS ## Abstract An apparatus is for the automated production of a daughter radionuclide from a parent radionuclide using a generator comprising a solid medium onto which the parent nuclide is fixed and whereby the daughter nuclide is formed by radioactive decay of the parent nuclide. The apparatus includes a fluid circuit including a chromatography column having a head port and a tail port, at least one connection port for connecting the generator to the fluid circuit, at least one inlet port for connecting fluid sources to the fluid circuit and at least one valve controlled by an electronic control unit for selectively connecting the chromatography column, the connection port and the at least one inlet port in various configurations. The various configurations include a first elution configuration for circulating an A1′ solution exiting the generator and containing the daughter radionuclide, through the chromatography column from the head port to the tail port for loading the chromatography column with the daughter radionuclide; a first washing configuration for circulating an A2 washing solution from a solution inlet through the chromatography column from the head port to the tail port; and a second washing configuration for circulating an A2′ washing solution from a solution inlet through the chromatography column from the tail port to the head port. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An apparatus for the automated production of a daughter radionuclide from a parent radionuclide using a generator comprising a solid medium onto which the parent nuclide is fixed and whereby the daughter nuclide is formed by radioactive decay of the parent nuclide, the apparatus comprising a fluid circuit comprising: a chromatography column having a head port and a tail port; at least one connection port for connecting the generator to the fluid circuit; at least one inlet port for connecting fluid sources to the fluid circuit; and at least one valve controlled by an electronic control unit for selectively connecting the chromatography column, the at least one connection port and the inlet port(s) in various configurations, the various configurations comprising: a first elution configuration for circulating an A1′ solution exiting the generator and containing the daughter radionuclide, through the chromatography column from head port to tail port for loading the chromatography column with the daughter radionuclide; a first washing configuration for circulating an A2 washing solution from a solution inlet through the chromatography column from head port to tail port; and a second washing configuration for circulating an A2′ washing solution from a solution inlet through the chromatography column from tail port to head port. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the fluid circuit in the first elution configuration is configured for circulating an A0 solution from a solution inlet through the generator to recover an A1 solution containing the daughter radionuclide and for circulating the A1 solution from the generator through the chromatography column from head port to tail port. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the various configurations comprise: a second elution configuration for circulating an A3 elution solution from a solution inlet through the chromatography column from tail port to head port; and/or a flushing configuration for circulating air through the fluid circuit for flushing the fluid circuit with air. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the electronic control unit is configured for controlling the valve(s) for successively configuring the fluid circuit in the first elution configuration, the first washing configuration, the second washing configuration and the second elution configuration, and/or configuring the fluid circuit in the flushing configuration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a parent radionuclide generator configured for generating the parent radionuclide by elution from a source radionuclide retained in the parent radionuclide generator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the parent radionuclide generator is configured for generating radium 224 as parent radionuclide from thorium 228 as source radionuclide.