Medical radioisotopes and methods for producing the same
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsRobert E. Schenter, Dennis W. Wester, Glenn W. Hollenberg, Brian M. Rapko, Gregg J. Lumetta
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Abstract
This disclosure concerns a new method for preparing radioisotopes, such as molybdenum-99, by alpha particle irradiation, such as by alpha particle irradiation of zirconium-96. Molybdenum-99 is a precursor to the medically-significant radioisotope technetium-99m. Also disclosed are novel compositions containing one or more of technetium-99m, molybdenum-99 and zirconium species. Systems for producing molybdenum-99 and technetium-99m, including alpha particle generators and irradiation targets, also are described.
Claims37
A process for producing molybdenum-99, comprising:
- irradiating at least a portion of a zirconium target with alpha particles, thereby producing an irradiated target portion comprising molybdenum-99;
- and
- separating the molybdenum-99 from other target species, wherein the irradiating and the separating occur simultaneously.
A process for producing molybdenum-99, comprising:
- irradiating a first location of a zirconium target with alpha particles, thereby producing first irradiated target material comprising molybdenum-99, while simultaneously removing second irradiated target material from a second location of the target.
A process for producing molybdenum-99, comprising:
- irradiating a zirconium target with alpha particles while contacting the irradiated target with a fluorinating agent;
- and
- continuously adjusting the target such that different portions of the target are irradiated by alpha particles and contacted with the fluorinating agent,
- wherein the continuously adjusting occurs while continuously removing at least some irradiated target material from the target.
A process for producing molybdenum-99, comprising:
- positioning a zirconium target such that a portion of the target is irradiated by alpha particles from an alpha particle source, thereby producing irradiated target material comprising molybdenum-99;
- and
- continuously adjusting the target, the alpha particle source, or both the target and the alpha particle source such that a different portion of the target is irradiated by alpha particles,
- wherein the continuously adjusting occurs while continuously removing at least some of the irradiated target material from the target.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.