Separation and purification unit for Tc-99m produced by low energy cyclotrons

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The overall objective is to develop a commercial system for producing the medical imaging isotope Tc-99m by irradiation of a high power solid target of molybdenum-100 with a proton beam (15 MeV) at high currents using a medical cyclotron. The goal of the current proposal is to design and build one component of the overall commercial system: an automated 'turnkey' isotope separation-and-purification unit to produce sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4). The objective of the present proposal is to convert recent laboratory scale technologies into a commercial product. The challenge for the designers is dealing with the large amounts of short half-life (6.01 h) radioactive chemicals, which require special care. In addition, the molybdenum-100 comprising the target is expensive, so processing must be done in an efficient manner in order to increase the production yield, and minimize losses and processing time. The process must be done in less than 30 min and at least 90% of the molybdenum-100 must be recovered and recycled. The separation-and-purification unit will be housed at hospitals and regional pharmacies and operated by technologists routinely - it needs to have a small 'footprint' and be robust, easy to maintain and service, and be able to provide a cost effective supply of Tc-99m.