Method and apparatus for isolating the radioisotope molybdenum-99
AssigneeAdvanced Applied Physics Solutions, Inc.
InventorsSuzanne Lapi, Thomas J. Ruth, Dirk W. Becker, John M. D'Auria
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Abstract
A method of isolating 99Mo produced using a (n,γ) reaction according to example embodiments may include vaporizing a source compound containing 98Mo and 99Mo. The vaporized source compound may be ionized to form ions containing 98Mo and 99Mo. The ions may be separated to isolate the ions containing 99Mo. The isolated ions containing 99Mo may be collected with a collector. Accordingly, the isolated 99Mo may have a relatively high specific radioactivity and, in turn, may be used to produce the diagnostic radioisotope, 99mTc, through radioactive decay.
Claims33
A method of isolating 99Mo, comprising:
- vaporizing a source compound containing isotopes of Mo, the isotopes of Mo including a primary Mo isotope and 99Mo, the 99Mo being a nuclear reaction product of the primary Mo isotope;
- ionizing the vaporized source compound to form ions containing the isotopes of Mo;
- separating the ions with an electromagnetic mass separator configured to isolate ions containing 99Mo;
- and
- collecting the isolated ions containing 99Mo with a charged collector.
A method of isolating a radioisotope for production of a higher specific activity radiopharmaceutical, comprising:
- vaporizing a source compound containing a plurality of isotopes of an element, the plurality of isotopes including a primary isotope of the element and a desired isotope of the element, the desired isotope being a parent radioisotope which decays to a daughter radioisotope having diagnostic or therapeutic properties;
- ionizing the vaporized source compound to form ions containing the plurality of isotopes;
- separating the ions so as to isolate ions containing the desired isotope;
- and
- collecting the isolated ions containing the desired isotope with a collector.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.