WO1999052587A2 - Methods and systems for the mass production of radioactive materials - Google Patents
Methods and systems for the mass production of radioactive materials Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999052587A2 WO1999052587A2 PCT/US1999/007663 US9907663W WO9952587A2 WO 1999052587 A2 WO1999052587 A2 WO 1999052587A2 US 9907663 W US9907663 W US 9907663W WO 9952587 A2 WO9952587 A2 WO 9952587A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- targets
- converter
- beam path
- array
- path
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21G—CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
- G21G1/00—Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes
- G21G1/04—Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes outside nuclear reactors or particle accelerators
- G21G1/12—Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes outside nuclear reactors or particle accelerators by electromagnetic irradiation, e.g. with gamma or X-rays
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G21—NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
- G21G—CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ELEMENTS; RADIOACTIVE SOURCES
- G21G1/00—Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes
- G21G1/04—Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes outside nuclear reactors or particle accelerators
- G21G1/10—Arrangements for converting chemical elements by electromagnetic radiation, corpuscular radiation or particle bombardment, e.g. producing radioactive isotopes outside nuclear reactors or particle accelerators by bombardment with electrically charged particles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
- A61N—ELECTROTHERAPY; MAGNETOTHERAPY; RADIATION THERAPY; ULTRASOUND THERAPY
- A61N5/00—Radiation therapy
- A61N5/10—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy
- A61N5/1001—X-ray therapy; Gamma-ray therapy; Particle-irradiation therapy using radiation sources introduced into or applied onto the body; brachytherapy
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to the production of radionuclides by irradiation with intense electron beams so as to form radioactive materials suitable for therapeutic and/or diagnostic medical purposes.
- the present invention relates to systems and methods whereby radioactive structures, for example, stents, may be mass-produced by intense electron beam irradiation.
- the systems and methods of the present invention involve the mass production of radioactive structure, and especially the mass production of radioactive stents.
- a three-dimensional array of targets formed of, or containing, radioactivatable material is disposed in a beam path of an electron beam emitted from a source thereof (e.g., a linear accelerator).
- a bremsstrahlung converter is interposed between the array of targets and the source of the electron beam so as to convert the electron beam to an irradiating beam which contains both electrons and photons.
- the electrons in the irradiating beam may be divergently directed away from the beam path (e.g., by magnetic sweepers) and along a divergent path so that the targets are irradiated predominantly by photons.
- the electron beam can be conditioned (focused) by means of magnetic stirring coils positioned upstream of the converter.
- the bremsstrahlung converter is provided by a plurality of individual converters which differ from one another in terms of their thickness and/or material. One or more of these individual converters may thus be interposed in the beam path as may be desired in dependence upon the targets to be irradiated.
- the targets are most preferably translated relative to the beam path by a driven translator assembly.
- the targets preferably have a high negative voltage (e.g., between about -200 to about -5000 volts) applied thereto.
- FIGURE depicts in schematic fashion one preferred system for the mass production of radioactive stents in accordance with the present invention.
- the invention will be discussed below in relation to the mass production of radioactive stents. It should be understood, however, that reference to stents is to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention and is nonlimiting with respect thereto. Thus, the present invention is well suited for the mass production of virtually any structure which is formed of, or contains, a radioactivatable material.
- the targets may therefore be in the form of stents or other radioactivatable structures, or may be capsules formed of a non- radioactivatable material which contain material to be activated (e.g., radioactivatable metal powders, radioactivatable liquid metals or liquid suspensions of radioactivatable metals). Suffice it to say here that those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the particular form that the "targets" may have and embraced by the scope of the present invention.
- the system 10 includes a standard linear accelerator 12 which emits an electron beam 12-1.
- the linear accelerator 12 is most preferably is capable of generating an electron beam energy of between about 15 MeV to about 50 MeV and an average electron beam current of between about 0.05 to about 10 mA, most preferably about 1 rriA.
- the electron beam 12-1 impinges upon a beam converter assembly 13 which includes a bremsstrahlung converter 14 formed of a relatively high Z (atomic number) material, such as tantalum or tungsten.
- a bremsstrahlung converter 14 formed of a relatively high Z (atomic number) material, such as tantalum or tungsten.
- Z atomic number
- the term "high Z" as employed herein and in the accompanying claims is meant to refer to a material having an atomic number of greater than about 30, more preferably greater than about 70, for example between about 70 and about 92.
- the converter 14 coverts a substantial amount of the electron energy of the electron beam 12-1 into a beam 15 comprised of a mixture of electrons (identified by the straight lines in the beam 15) and photons (identified the wavy lines in the beam 15) which is directed toward a three-dimensional array of stent targets 16.
- the converter 14 is connected operatively to a converter adjustment assembly 18 which is capable of mechanically (e.g., via suitable mechanical couplings (not shown) that may be manually or motor driven) inserting and withdrawing the converter 14 into and out of the path of the electron beam 12-1 , respectively.
- the adjustment assembly 18 is operatively coupled to a plurality of converters 14 of different thicknesses (as measured linearly parallel to the path of the electron beam 12-1 ) and/or different high Z materials.
- the adjustment assembly 18 and the converters 14 coupled thereto are in thermal communication with a cooling assembly 20 which is capable of circulating a cooling fluid (e.g., water) through the adjustment assembly and thereby providing necessary thermal cooling of the individual converters 14.
- a cooling assembly 20 which is capable of circulating a cooling fluid (e.g., water) through the adjustment assembly and thereby providing necessary thermal cooling of the individual converters 14.
- bremsstrahlung converter e.g., less than about 2 mm thick
- relatively thin bremsstrahlung converters e.g., from about 2 mm to about 6 mm thick formed of a tungsten material
- multiple stent targets e.g., numbering in the hundreds
- thin high Z bremsstrahlung converts will position the high energy photon conversion into a narrow cone and it is only within this cone that the effect desired - namely, activation - will occur.
- the stent targets 16 are disposed in a three dimensional array (it being understood of course and only two dimensions of the array are visible in the accompanying FIGURE) which, as noted above, is most usefully positioned within the cone of energy flux which best matches or overlaps the nuclear reaction resonance energy window as devised by the Monte Carlo modeling.
- the array of stent targets 16 is also such that permutation of the stent targets 16 is allowed.
- the stent targets 16 are preferably affixed to stent support brackets 16-1 which project from a translator system 22.
- the translator system 22 includes a motor drive (not shown) which selectively moves (translates) the stent targets 16 as may be desired relative to the beam 15.
- the particular structure of the stents that may be radioactivated according to the present invention is not critical.
- the stents may be configured to suit the particular therapeutic need (e.g., see U.S. Patent No. 5,059,166 to Fischell et al, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated hereinto by reference).
- a beam dump 24 is positioned behind the array of stent targets 16 so as to stop the beam 15.
- the beam dump is of a conventional variety and may include a relatively large mass of material which stops the photon and electron beam.
- the beam dump most advantageously includes a forward section formed of a relatively low Z material (e.g., aluminum) so as to be insubstantially affected by the beam 15.
- a suitable heat sump may be positioned rearwardly of the forward section so as to transfer heat generated thereat.
- the beam dump 24 may be in the form of a water-holding container having an ion chamber submersed therein to measure radiation by recording ionization in the chamber with an electrometer.
- the thickness of the beam dump depends on the electron energy and material. For example, the thickness of a water beam dump may be on the order of about six (6) feet for a 20 MeV beam, but may be on the order of only about one (1 ) foot for a lead beam dump.
- the system 10 also most preferably includes a pair of sweeper magnets 26 positioned laterally of the beam 15 emitted from the converter 14.
- the sweeper magnets are of sufficient flux intensity so as to direct electrons in the beam 15 out of the straight cone path and direct them to secondary beam dumps 28 positioned below the plane of the FIGURE.
- the secondary beam dumps 28 may be similar to the primary beam dump 24 described previously, but may be of a greatly reduced size owing to the smaller penetrating ability of the electrons that will impinge thereon.
- the thickness of water for a 20 MeV beam is about 15 cm, but is only about 6 cm for an aluminum beam dump. In this manner, the sweeper magnets 26 and corresponding secondary beam dumps 28 ensure that a high proportion of photons will travel on to the stent targets 16 so as to activate the same.
- a high negative voltage (e.g., between about -200 to about -5000 volts) is applied to the stent targets 16.
- the system 10 may include a high voltage power supply 30 which is coupled through the common stent support 32 to which the stent support brackets 16-1 are physically attached.
- the support 32 is insulated electrically from the translator 22.
- Magnetic scanning coils 34 may optionally be provided laterally of the electron beam 12-1.
- the coils 34 are provided in order to allow the electron beam 12-1 to be scanned on the converter 14 so as to enable more efficient cooling of the converter 20 and/or a wider geometric spread of the resulting photon beam 15 emitted therefrom.
- a wider geometric spread of the photon beam 15 By providing a wider geometric spread of the photon beam 15, a greater amount of stent targets 16 per unit time may be activated thereby significantly reducing (or eliminating entirely) the complexity of movement required to be performed by the translator 22.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
AU41807/99A AU4180799A (en) | 1998-04-10 | 1999-04-08 | Methods and systems for the mass production of radioactive materials |
EP99925549A EP1087814A2 (en) | 1998-04-10 | 1999-04-08 | Methods and systems for the mass production of radioactive materials |
CA002327824A CA2327824A1 (en) | 1998-04-10 | 1999-04-08 | Methods and systems for the mass production of radioactive materials |
JP2000543195A JP2002511566A (en) | 1998-04-10 | 1999-04-08 | Method and apparatus for mass production of radioactive materials |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US8143598P | 1998-04-10 | 1998-04-10 | |
US60/081,435 | 1998-04-10 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999052587A2 true WO1999052587A2 (en) | 1999-10-21 |
WO1999052587A3 WO1999052587A3 (en) | 2001-02-01 |
Family
ID=22164150
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/007663 WO1999052587A2 (en) | 1998-04-10 | 1999-04-08 | Methods and systems for the mass production of radioactive materials |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP1087814A2 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002511566A (en) |
AU (1) | AU4180799A (en) |
CA (1) | CA2327824A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999052587A2 (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120025105A1 (en) * | 2010-07-27 | 2012-02-02 | Mevex Corporation | Power concentrator for transmuting isotopes |
US10535441B1 (en) | 2010-07-27 | 2020-01-14 | Mevex Corporation | Method of irradiating a target |
EP4243036A1 (en) | 2022-03-10 | 2023-09-13 | Ion Beam Applications | System for production of radioisotopes by bremsstrahlung comprising a curved converter |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CA2816453C (en) * | 2013-05-23 | 2019-09-17 | Canadian Light Source Inc. | Production of molybdenum-99 using electron beams |
EP4191613A1 (en) * | 2021-12-06 | 2023-06-07 | Universität Bern | High power converter target assembly, related facility and method to produce bremsstrahlung for photonuclear reactions |
Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2902613A (en) * | 1954-04-09 | 1959-09-01 | Gen Electric | Adaptation of a high energy electron accelerator as a neutron source |
US2929933A (en) * | 1956-05-24 | 1960-03-22 | Jr Benjamin W Ela | Target assembly |
US2952775A (en) * | 1959-02-17 | 1960-09-13 | Shell Oil Co | Method and apparatus for the analytical determination of deuterium |
US3358239A (en) * | 1965-07-27 | 1967-12-12 | Transformatoren & Roentgenwerk | Equipment for controlling and monitoring the electron beam of a horizontaltype particle accelerator |
US3431502A (en) * | 1968-04-10 | 1969-03-04 | Atomic Energy Commission | Target positioner for accelerator external beam |
US3526575A (en) * | 1967-08-02 | 1970-09-01 | Willard H Bennett | Production and utilization of high density plasma |
US3639849A (en) * | 1966-11-28 | 1972-02-01 | Willard H Bennett | Apparatus for producing a highly concentrated beam of electrons |
US4428902A (en) * | 1981-05-13 | 1984-01-31 | Murray Kenneth M | Coal analysis system |
US4756866A (en) * | 1985-10-09 | 1988-07-12 | Alvarez Luis W | Nitrogen detection |
US5342283A (en) * | 1990-08-13 | 1994-08-30 | Good Roger R | Endocurietherapy |
US5784423A (en) * | 1995-09-08 | 1998-07-21 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Method of producing molybdenum-99 |
-
1999
- 1999-04-08 AU AU41807/99A patent/AU4180799A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-04-08 JP JP2000543195A patent/JP2002511566A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-04-08 WO PCT/US1999/007663 patent/WO1999052587A2/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-04-08 CA CA002327824A patent/CA2327824A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1999-04-08 EP EP99925549A patent/EP1087814A2/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US2902613A (en) * | 1954-04-09 | 1959-09-01 | Gen Electric | Adaptation of a high energy electron accelerator as a neutron source |
US2929933A (en) * | 1956-05-24 | 1960-03-22 | Jr Benjamin W Ela | Target assembly |
US2952775A (en) * | 1959-02-17 | 1960-09-13 | Shell Oil Co | Method and apparatus for the analytical determination of deuterium |
US3358239A (en) * | 1965-07-27 | 1967-12-12 | Transformatoren & Roentgenwerk | Equipment for controlling and monitoring the electron beam of a horizontaltype particle accelerator |
US3639849A (en) * | 1966-11-28 | 1972-02-01 | Willard H Bennett | Apparatus for producing a highly concentrated beam of electrons |
US3526575A (en) * | 1967-08-02 | 1970-09-01 | Willard H Bennett | Production and utilization of high density plasma |
US3431502A (en) * | 1968-04-10 | 1969-03-04 | Atomic Energy Commission | Target positioner for accelerator external beam |
US4428902A (en) * | 1981-05-13 | 1984-01-31 | Murray Kenneth M | Coal analysis system |
US4756866A (en) * | 1985-10-09 | 1988-07-12 | Alvarez Luis W | Nitrogen detection |
US5342283A (en) * | 1990-08-13 | 1994-08-30 | Good Roger R | Endocurietherapy |
US5784423A (en) * | 1995-09-08 | 1998-07-21 | Massachusetts Institute Of Technology | Method of producing molybdenum-99 |
Non-Patent Citations (3)
Title |
---|
NATH ET AL. MEDICAL PHYSICS vol. 3, no. 3, May 1976 - June 1976, pages 149 - 153, XP002932929 * |
NORDELL ET AL. PHYS. MED. BIOL. vol. 29, no. 7, 1984, pages 797 - 810, XP002932930 * |
SEKINE ET AL. APPL. RADIAT. ISOT. vol. 42, no. 2, 1991, pages 149 - 153, XP002932929 * |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120025105A1 (en) * | 2010-07-27 | 2012-02-02 | Mevex Corporation | Power concentrator for transmuting isotopes |
US10535441B1 (en) | 2010-07-27 | 2020-01-14 | Mevex Corporation | Method of irradiating a target |
EP4243036A1 (en) | 2022-03-10 | 2023-09-13 | Ion Beam Applications | System for production of radioisotopes by bremsstrahlung comprising a curved converter |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU4180799A (en) | 1999-11-01 |
WO1999052587A3 (en) | 2001-02-01 |
EP1087814A2 (en) | 2001-04-04 |
JP2002511566A (en) | 2002-04-16 |
CA2327824A1 (en) | 1999-10-21 |
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