Solid target irradiator system for radioisotopes production

A solid target irradiator system for producing radioisotopes, comprising:

• a base;
• a target carrier feeding assembly coupled to the base, the target carrier feeding assembly having a target magazine configured to hold at least one target carrier therein and feed the at least one target carrier for dissolution processing, each at least one target carrier having target material thereon for subsequent irradiation;
• a target loader assembly coupled to the base and spaced from the target carrier feeding assembly, the target loader assembly having a reciprocating loader arm for selectively engaging and holding the at least one target carrier being fed by the target magazine, the loader arm configured to move a held target carrier through the irradiator system to facilitate irradiation of the target material and dissolution of an irradiated target material, the loader arm having a cooling means for internal cooling of the target material being irradiated;
• an airlock assembly coupled to the base and spaced from the target carrier feeding assembly, the airlock assembly having a gate valve, an airlock chamber within the gate valve for receiving the held target carrier therein, and a target exit port adapted to be coupled to a cyclotron chamber in vacuum, the airlock assembly configured to selectively establish a vacuum seal prior to introducing the held target carrier to the cyclotron chamber for irradiation;
• and
• a dissolution assembly coupled to the base between the target carrier feeding assembly and the airlock assembly, the dissolution assembly having a selectively moveable dissolution housing for engaging an irradiated target carrier with irradiated target material thereon, the dissolution housing having a cavity in selective communication with the irradiated target carrier, the cavity configured to be filled with dissolution solvent to dissolute the irradiated target material and collect radionuclides for subsequent separation and production of radioisotopes.