PRODUCTION METHOD AND TARGET FOR Cu-67
Radionuclides | Diagnostic Imaging | Radiotherapy | Cyclotron | TargetsINTRODUCTION
Design of a target for the production of Cu-67, one of the most attractive radionuclides for medical applications both diagnostic and therapeutic. By using 70 MeV proton beams and exploiting the nuclear reactions on Zn-68 and Zn-70 targets, this invention allows to maximize the production of Cu-67 and minimize the one of the main contaminant Cu-64.
TECHNICAL FEATURES
The β- decay and γ emission of Cu-67, represent a great advantage in SPECT diagnostic procedures to keep under control both the distribution of the radiopharmaceutical and the induced therapeutic effect. Nowadays Cu-67 is mainly produced by using Zn-68 targets and high energy proton beams (200 MeV): in this way, high quantity of Cu-64 are co-produced.
This invention is aimed to the maximization of the production ratio Cu67/Cu64 exploiting 45-70 MeV proton beams on Zn-70 and Zn-68 target of fixed thickness and in a estabilished configuration. Using the two isotopes of Zn, both in metal and oxide forms, make possible the exploitation of the same radiochemical procedure for target processing.
POSSIBLE APPLICATIONS
- Diagnostic Imaging and Therapy;
- Industrial production of radionuclides for medical applications;
- Development of high-power targets and ad hoc cooling systems;
- Development of automatic module for radiochemical separation and purification.
ADVANTAGES
- Maximum Cu-67 production;
- Minimum Cu-64 production;
- Only one radiochemical procedure for target processing.
PATENT INFORMATION
PATENT OWNER
Istituto Nazionale di Fisica NuclearePATENT STATUS
DepositedPRIORITY NUMBER
102018000005379
PRIORITY DATE
15/05/2018LICENSE
WorldCOMMERCIAL RIGHTS
ExclusiveAVAILABILITY
AvailableFIND OUT MORE
Contact usDownload the patent card