Radioisotope production system includes an electrical field system and a magnetic field system that are configured to direct a particle beam of charged particles along a beam path within an acceleration chamber. The magnetic field system is energized by a drive current to generate a magnetic flux into the acceleration chamber for controlling the particle beam. The radioisotope production system also includes a target system configured to hold a target material and receive the particle beam. The radioisotope production system also includes a monitoring system that is configured to: (a) determine an operating parameter of the radioisotope production system as the particle beam is directed toward the target material and (b) change the drive current, thereby changing the magnetic flux, based on the operating parameter.

Radioisotope production system includes an electrical field system and a magnetic field system that are configured to direct a particle beam of charged particles along a beam path within an acceleration chamber. The magnetic field system is energized by a drive current to generate a magnetic flux into the acceleration chamber for controlling the particle beam. The radioisotope production system also includes a target system configured to hold a target material and receive the particle beam. The radioisotope production system also includes a monitoring system that is configured to: (a) determine an operating parameter of the radioisotope production system as the particle beam is directed toward the target material and (b) change the drive current, thereby changing the magnetic flux, based on the operating parameter.

A cyclotron sound suppression device for reducing the decibel level of the supersonic exhaust gases. A cyclotron unit for preparing a radioisotope includes a storage tank for storing a radioactive gas resulting from preparation of the radioisotope, a compressor connected with the storage tank(s); an exhaust valve in connected with the storage tank(s); and a sound suppression device in connected with the exhaust valve. The sound suppression device can be configured as a supersonic muffler and attached to the outlet valve to diffuse the exhaust gases, thereby reducing risk of hearing damage.

Apparatuses and methods for production of molybdenum targets, and the formed molybdenum targets, used to produce Tc-99m are described. The target includes a copper support plate having a front face and a back face. The copper support plate desirably has dimensions of thickness of about 2.8 mm, a length of about 65 mm and a width of about 30 mm; and the copper support plate desirably has either a circular or an elliptical cavity centrally formed therein by pressing molybdenum powder into the front face with a depth of about 200-400 microns. Also, the copper support plate includes cooling channels dispensed at the back face; wherein the copper support plate is water cooled by a flow of water during irradiation by a proton beam. Molybdenum powder is embedded and compressed onto the cavity of the copper support plate thereby creating a thin layer of molybdenum onto the copper support plate.

Apparatuses and methods for production of molybdenum targets, and the formed molybdenum targets, used to produce Tc-99m are described. The target includes a copper support plate having a front face and a back face. The copper support plate desirably has dimensions of thickness of about 2.8 mm, a length of about 65 mm and a width of about 30 mm; and the copper support plate desirably has either a circular or an elliptical cavity centrally formed therein by pressing molybdenum powder into the front face with a depth of about 200-400 microns. Also, the copper support plate includes cooling channels dispensed at the back face; wherein the copper support plate is water cooled by a flow of water during irradiation by a proton beam. Molybdenum powder is embedded and compressed onto the cavity of the copper support plate thereby creating a thin layer of molybdenum onto the copper support plate.

A facility for producing radioisotopes. The facility includes at least one target holder. The target holder is configured to receive a target that includes a compound to be irradiated with an accelerated particle beam. The facility includes a cyclotron for producing the accelerated particle beam. The cyclotron includes at least one accelerating cavity within which the beam is subjected to a radiofrequency electric field in order to be accelerated and to a magnetic field enabling it to travel through the cavity several times, describing orbits about an axis of the cyclotron. The magnetic field is produced by at least one coil. The at least one target holder is inside the at least one coil as observed along the axis of the cyclotron. The at least one coil does not have symmetry of revolution about the axis.

A facility for producing radioisotopes. The facility includes at least one target holder. The target holder is configured to receive a target that includes a compound to be irradiated with an accelerated particle beam. The facility includes a cyclotron for producing the accelerated particle beam. The cyclotron includes at least one accelerating cavity within which the beam is subjected to a radiofrequency electric field in order to be accelerated and to a magnetic field enabling it to travel through the cavity several times, describing orbits about an axis of the cyclotron. The magnetic field is produced by at least one coil. The at least one target holder is inside the at least one coil as observed along the axis of the cyclotron. The at least one coil does not have symmetry of revolution about the axis.

An apparatus for generating medical isotopes provides an annular fissile solution vessel surrounding a neutron generator. The annular fissile solution vessel provides for good capture of the emitted neutrons and a geometry that provides enhanced stability in an aqueous reactor. A neutron multiplier and/or a neutron moderator may be used to improve the efficiency and control the criticality of the reaction in the annular fissile solution vessel.

Methods of producing and isolating .sup.68Ga, .sup.89Zr, .sup.64Cu, .sup.63Zn, .sup.86Y, .sup.61Cu, .sup.99mTc, .sup.45Ti, .sup.13N, .sup.52Mn, or .sup.44Sc and solution targets for use in the methods are disclosed. The methods of producing .sup.68Ga, .sup.89Zr, .sup.64Cu, .sup.63Zn, .sup.86Y, .sup.61Cu, .sup.99mTc, .sup.45Ti, .sup.13N, .sup.52Mn, or .sup.44Sc include irradiating a closed target system with a proton beam. The closed target system can include a solution target. The methods of producing isolated .sup.68Ga, .sup.89Zr, .sup.64Cu, .sup.63Zn, .sup.86Y, .sup.61CU, .sup.99mTC, .sup.45-Ti, .sup.52Mn, or .sup.44Sc by ion exchange chromatography. An example solution target includes a target body including a target cavity for receiving the target material; a housing defining a passageway for directing a particle beam at the target cavity; a target window for covering an opening of the target cavity; and a coolant gas flow path disposed in the passageway upstream of the target window.

Methods of producing and isolating .sup.68Ga, .sup.89Zr, .sup.64Cu, .sup.63Zn, .sup.86Y, .sup.61Cu, .sup.99mTc, .sup.45Ti, .sup.13N, .sup.52Mn, or .sup.44Sc and solution targets for use in the methods are disclosed. The methods of producing .sup.68Ga, .sup.89Zr, .sup.64Cu, .sup.63Zn, .sup.86Y, .sup.61Cu, .sup.99mTc, .sup.45Ti, .sup.13N, .sup.52Mn, or .sup.44Sc include irradiating a closed target system with a proton beam. The closed target system can include a solution target. The methods of producing isolated .sup.68Ga, .sup.89Zr, .sup.64Cu, .sup.63Zn, .sup.86Y, .sup.61CU, .sup.99mTC, .sup.45-Ti, .sup.52Mn, or .sup.44Sc by ion exchange chromatography. An example solution target includes a target body including a target cavity for receiving the target material; a housing defining a passageway for directing a particle beam at the target cavity; a target window for covering an opening of the target cavity; and a coolant gas flow path disposed in the passageway upstream of the target window.