Methods for setting up, maintaining and operating a radiopharmaceutical infusion system, that includes a radioisotope generator, are facilitated by a computer of the system. The computer may include pre-programmed instructions and a computer interface, for interaction with a user of the system, for example, in order to track contained volumes of eluant and/or eluate, and/or to track time from completion of an elution performed by the system, and/or to calculate one or more system and/or injection parameters for quality control, and/or to perform purges of the system, and/or to facilitate diagnostic imaging.

A method of making Lu-177 involving dissolving enriched Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, loading dissolved enriched Yb.sub.2O.sub.3 on a first guard column containing resin prepared from (2-ethyl-1-hexyl)phosphonic acid mono(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)ester (HEH[EHP]), passing a first separation of a stream exiting from first guard column through a first resin cartridge containing dipentyl pentylphosphonate, collecting Lu-177 onto a first collection column having resin containing tetraoctyl diglycolamide (DGA), loading an exiting stream from first collection column on a second guard column containing resin prepared from (2-ethyl-1-hexyl)phosphonic acid mono(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)ester (HEH[EHP]); passing a first separation of a stream exiting from second guard column through a second resin cartridge containing dipentyl pentylphosphonate; collecting Lu-177 onto a second collection column having resin containing DGA; passing a second separation of a stream exiting from second guard column through a third resin cartridge containing dipentyl pentylphosphonate; and collecting Lu-177 having passed through the third resin cartridge onto a third collection column having resin containing DGA.

A method of making Lu-177 involving dissolving enriched Yb.sub.2O.sub.3, loading dissolved enriched Yb.sub.2O.sub.3 on a first guard column containing resin prepared from (2-ethyl-1-hexyl)phosphonic acid mono(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)ester (HEH[EHP]), passing a first separation of a stream exiting from first guard column through a first resin cartridge containing dipentyl pentylphosphonate, collecting Lu-177 onto a first collection column having resin containing tetraoctyl diglycolamide (DGA), loading an exiting stream from first collection column on a second guard column containing resin prepared from (2-ethyl-1-hexyl)phosphonic acid mono(2-ethyl-1-hexyl)ester (HEH[EHP]); passing a first separation of a stream exiting from second guard column through a second resin cartridge containing dipentyl pentylphosphonate; collecting Lu-177 onto a second collection column having resin containing DGA; passing a second separation of a stream exiting from second guard column through a third resin cartridge containing dipentyl pentylphosphonate; and collecting Lu-177 having passed through the third resin cartridge onto a third collection column having resin containing DGA.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods of synthesizing .sup.18F-tetrafluoroborate (.sup.18F-TFB) via direct radiofluorination on boron trifluoride (BF.sub.3) to enhance both labeling yield and specific activity. Uses of .sup.18F-TFB include imaging of thyroid or breast cancer, and imaging of thyroid, breast, stomach, salivary glands or kidney.

Embodiments of the invention provide methods of synthesizing .sup.18F-tetrafluoroborate (.sup.18F-TFB) via direct radiofluorination on boron trifluoride (BF.sub.3) to enhance both labeling yield and specific activity. Uses of .sup.18F-TFB include imaging of thyroid or breast cancer, and imaging of thyroid, breast, stomach, salivary glands or kidney.

An apparatus for producing .sup.99Mo from a plurality of .sup.100Mo targets through a photo-nuclear reaction on the .sup.100Mo targets. The apparatus comprises: (i) an electron linear accelerator component; (ii) an energy converter component capable of receiving the electron beam and producing therefrom a shower of bremsstrahlung photons; (iii) a target irradiation component for receiving the shower of bremsstrahlung photons for irradiation of a target holder mounted and positioned therein. The target holder houses a plurality of .sup.100Mo target discs. The apparatus additionally comprises (iv) a target holder transfer and recovery component for receiving, manipulating and conveying the target holder by remote control; (v) a first cooling system sealingly engaged with the energy converter component for circulation of a coolant fluid therethrough; and (vi) a second cooling system sealingly engaged with the target irradiation component for circulation of a coolant fluid therethrough.

An apparatus for producing .sup.99Mo from a plurality of .sup.100Mo targets through a photo-nuclear reaction on the .sup.100Mo targets. The apparatus comprises: (i) an electron linear accelerator component; (ii) an energy converter component capable of receiving the electron beam and producing therefrom a shower of bremsstrahlung photons; (iii) a target irradiation component for receiving the shower of bremsstrahlung photons for irradiation of a target holder mounted and positioned therein. The target holder houses a plurality of .sup.100Mo target discs. The apparatus additionally comprises (iv) a target holder transfer and recovery component for receiving, manipulating and conveying the target holder by remote control; (v) a first cooling system sealingly engaged with the energy converter component for circulation of a coolant fluid therethrough; and (vi) a second cooling system sealingly engaged with the target irradiation component for circulation of a coolant fluid therethrough.

In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

In one aspect, radioactive nanoparticles are described herein. In some embodiments, a radioactive nanoparticle described herein comprises a metal nanoparticle core, an outer metal shell disposed over the metal nanoparticle core, and a metallic radioisotope disposed within the metal nanoparticle core or within the outer metal shell. In some cases, the radioactive nanoparticle has a size of about 30-500 nm in three dimensions. In addition, in some embodiments, the radioactive nanoparticle further comprises an inner metal shell disposed between the metal nanoparticle core and the outer metal shell. The metal nanoparticle core, outer metal shell, and inner metal shell of the radioactive nanoparticle can have various metallic compositions.

An equatorial anthropic radiation source and a method of making an equatorial anthropic radiation source are described. The radiation source is useful in diagnostic imaging applications in healthcare or other industries (e.g. computerized three-dimensional segmental imaging; Crompton scattering imaging techniques; radiation detector check and calibration, in particular CdZnTe detectors commonly used in medical imaging).