Multiple generator elution system

Abstract

A multiple generator elution system for selectively eluting from a plurality of parent-daughter generators according to an elution schedule it calculates taking into account supply data, demand data, and available activity in each of the generators.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to the field of radioisotope generators. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a multiple generator elution system.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Fission-produced Mo-99 supply is in a state of uncertainty. Only two reactors, the Canadian NRU reactor and the Petten HFR reactor, represent approximately 60-70% of the world's supply of fission produced Mo-99. When either of these reactors goes off-line, whether for scheduled maintenance or for unscheduled repairs, the result is to effectively reduce nuclear medicine procedures to only essential cases. All the reactors used to manufacture fission Mo-99 are nearing the end of their respective working lives, currently only one replacement reactor is planned, the Petten replacement called Pallas. Of additional concern is the proliferation of highly enriched uranium (HEU), the target material for fission Mo-99, falling into the hands of terrorists or rogue governme...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017]The present invention solves problems for those skilled in managing and operating generators in a nuclear pharmacy. Using Tc-99m / Mo-99 generator for purposes of illustration, and not of limitation, the preset invention combines and concentrates the daughter nuclide technetium [Tc-99m] pertechnetate elutions from multiple generator units and extends the useful life of decayed or low activity generators. The present invention automatically manages the isotope “grow-in” for maximum efficiency and cost savings, in conjunction with demand data from an ERP system or manual inputs. The present invention also allows operating personnel to model “what-if” scenarios such as when modeling supply shortages and unexpected increases in demand. Additionally, the present invention may be housed behind a radiological shielding that safely stores generators, as well as all components handling radioactivity. The present invention allows a gamma gel based Mo-99 generators to be more operationally competitive with fission based generators, thus facilitating a viable alternative to Mo-99 produced by the irradiation of highly enriched uranium (HEU), and thus reducing the proliferation of nuclear bomb grade material. Moreover, the present invention provides prescription compounding data interchange for electronic medical records.

[0019]A titanium molybdate “gel” based generator uses very low specific activity Mo-99, which leads to elutions that are less concentrated and of generally lower total radioactive content than the industry standard fission Mo-99 based generator. The multiple generator elution system of the present invention eliminates these issues allowing the gel-based generator to be more operationally competitive than the industry standard fission based generator.

Problems solved by technology

Unfortunately, Mo-99 produced from n,γ methods tends to be of low specific activity when compared to Mo-99 produced from fission of U-235, whether HEU or low enriched uranium (LEU).

The prior art fails to address all of the issues encountered with low specific activity and or low activity generators.

This is a complicated procedure that requires the use of organic solvents (tetrabutylammonium bromide solution in methylene chloride) to extract and concentrate the Tc-99m.

This method is impractical because of time required to prepare the concentrated Tc-99m.

Images