Astatine-211 production equipment

Abstract

The invention provides astatine-211 production equipment which comprises a cylindrical target body, and a bismuth plating layer for receiving beam irradiation is arranged on the peripheral wall of the cylindrical target body; the protective cover is arranged outside the cylindrical target body in a covering manner; the target body driving mechanism is connected with the cylindrical target body and used for driving the cylindrical target body to rotate around the axis; the cooling system comprises a cooling flow channel arranged in the cylindrical target body and a rotary joint assembly communicated with the cooling flow channel; the scraper is arranged in the protective cover; the scraper driving mechanism is connected with the scraper; the collecting container is used for collecting the scraped powder containing astatine-211; the shielding container is arranged outside the collecting container in a covering manner; the collecting pipeline is connected with the protective cover and the collecting container; and the shielding platform is used for separating the protective cover from the collecting container. The device has the advantages that irradiation and scraping are combined, the production efficiency is improved, the cylindrical target body is matched with rotation driving, the irradiation area is increased, and the beam utilization rate and yield are improved. Efficient heat dissipation is achieved through the built-in cooling flow channel, and the stability of the target body is guaranteed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of radionuclide production technology, and more specifically, to an astatine-211 production apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Although radionuclides are widely used in nuclear medicine diagnostics, alpha radionuclide drugs for treatment are still an emerging field. Targeted alpha therapy aims to utilize the localized high cytotoxicity of alpha particles to precisely kill cancer cells, improving efficacy and reducing damage to healthy tissues. Astatine-211 is considered an ideal candidate nuclide due to its 7.2-hour half-life and pure alpha decay properties. Currently, an effective method for producing this radioisotope is to bombard bismuth-209 with alpha particles using an accelerator. 209 Bi (α, 2n) 211 Astatine-211 is produced via the α-reaction. Due to the current demand for astatine-211 in scientific research and future medical applications, new accelerators, including cyclotrons, are necessary to produce astatine-211 by irradiating a high-quality bismuth target with precise energy and high-intensity beams. Current production methods typically use an α-beam of approximately 30 MeV to irradiate a bismuth metal target coated on an aluminum substrate. Bismuth is usually coated onto the aluminum substrate. After irradiation for a predetermined time, the target is transferred to another processing stage, where a scraper tool is used to scrape off the original bismuth coating and collect it as powdered astatine-211 nuclide. However, high-energy beams can easily cause the bismuth target (melting point 271.5℃) to soften or even melt due to heat buildup, severely affecting yield and target stability.

[0003] Astatine-211 is a relatively new field, and there are currently few production methods used worldwide. For example, a Chinese invention patent (CN120456986A) describes an automatic scraper for radioactive materials. This scrapes and collects the irradiated radioactive target by placing it in a target holder and scraping it at different angles, achieving increased safety and improved radionuclide yield. However, it fails to combine irradiation and scraping, resulting in low overall production efficiency. RIKEN in Japan has proposed tilting the target surface and combining it with beam deflection and rotation to increase the irradiation area to approximately 5 cm², suitable for 50 μA beams, but production volume is limited. Japan has also announced the development of a higher-current alpha particle accelerator, but the target design for a higher-current accelerator has not yet been disclosed. The United States uses a method of sequentially irradiating multiple small bismuth target sheets. During irradiation, neither the target nor the beam moves. Each target sheet has an irradiation area diameter of approximately 1 cm. After irradiation, each target sheet is assembled into a target shuttle and then transported from the accelerator chamber to the processing workshop via pipelines. Then, the astatine-211 generated at the irradiation point is scraped off with a blade, collected as powder in a container, and then processed further. Problems such as beam waste during target replacement and the need for complex lead shielding for target transmission pose significant engineering challenges.

[0004] Therefore, the current production of Astatine-211 still faces problems such as low production efficiency, insufficient heat dissipation of the target, low irradiation efficiency, complex shielding design, and low beam utilization. There is an urgent need to develop new target structures and irradiation schemes to improve output and practicality. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention addresses the technical problems of low production efficiency, insufficient target heat dissipation, complex shielding design, and low beam utilization in the existing astatine-211 production process. To overcome the above-mentioned defects of the prior art, the present invention provides an astatine-211 production device that combines irradiation and scraping to improve production efficiency, increases the irradiation area and enhances cooling efficiency in a limited space, and enables the astatine-211 to be directly collected into the shielding container at the irradiation position, avoiding long-distance transmission, thereby improving production safety and efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solutions are adopted: A bismuth-211 production apparatus includes a cylindrical target body with a bismuth-plated outer wall for receiving beam irradiation; a protective cover covering the cylindrical target body, the protective cover having an irradiation hole for beam injection and a scraper hole for scraper insertion; a target body drive mechanism connected to the cylindrical target body for driving it to rotate about an axis; and a cooling system including a cooling channel disposed within the cylindrical target body and a rotary joint assembly communicating with it, the rotary joint assembly having a coaxially arranged section for introducing cooling fluid into the cooling channel. The device includes an inlet channel for the cooling medium and an outlet channel for the cooling medium to flow out from the cooling channel; a scraper, inserted into the scraper hole, for scraping off the bismuth coating on the surface of the cylindrical target; a collection container for collecting the scraped astatine-211 powder; a shielding container, covering the outside of the collection container, for shielding against radioactive radiation; a collection pipe, connecting the shielding cover and the collection container, for guiding the scraped powder into the collection container; and a shielding platform, separating the shielding cover and the collection container on the upper and lower sides of the shielding platform. This device combines irradiation and scraping, greatly improving production efficiency. The cylindrical target, driven by rotation, increases the irradiation area, preventing the beam from remaining in one position and causing heat accumulation. Simultaneously, the internal water-cooling system further improves heat dissipation efficiency, preventing the bismuth target from softening and melting under high-intensity beams, ensuring target stability. Irradiation and scraping are completed within the same shielding cover, eliminating the need for long-distance target transport and improving production efficiency. The built-in cooling channel achieves efficient heat dissipation, preventing the bismuth target from softening and melting, and ensuring target stability. By directly connecting the protective shield and the shielding container through the collection pipe, radioactive powder can be collected nearby, reducing the risk of radiation leakage and simplifying the shielding design.

[0007] Preferably, the rotary joint assembly includes a rotary joint housing, an outer tube, and an inner tube. The rotary joint housing has a mounting hole extending through it along the axial direction of the cylindrical target. One axial end of the rotary joint housing is connected to an inlet pipe communicating with the mounting hole. The outer tube is rotatably connected within the mounting hole, with its inlet end communicating with the inlet pipe. The outlet end of the outer tube is detachably connected to the cylindrical target, and an inlet channel is formed inside the outer tube. The inner tube is coaxially inserted within the outer tube, with its inlet end extending into the cooling channel and its outlet end extending outside the rotary joint housing. An outlet channel is also formed inside the inner tube. This coaxial design (inner tube outlet, annular channel inlet between the outer and inner tubes) significantly saves axial installation space, making the equipment structure more compact.

[0008] Preferably, the mounting holes are stepped, and the mounting holes, from largest to smallest, include a first stepped hole, a second stepped hole, a third stepped hole, and a through hole arranged coaxially. A rotary bearing is installed in the first stepped hole between the rotary joint housing and the outer tube. A first retaining groove is provided on the inner wall of the first stepped hole, and the rotary bearing is limited within the first stepped hole by a first retaining spring. A rotary sealing ring is installed in the second stepped hole between the rotary joint housing and the outer tube. A second retaining groove is provided on the inner wall of the second stepped hole, and the rotary sealing ring is limited within the second stepped hole by a second retaining spring. The liquid inlet end of the outer tube is limited within the third stepped hole, and the liquid inlet end of the through hole is connected to the liquid outlet end of the liquid inlet pipe. By dividing the mounting holes into functional zones to accommodate the rotary bearing, rotary sealing ring, outer tube positioning, and media flow, precise positioning and installation of each component are achieved, avoiding interference between different components in the same hole and improving overall assembly accuracy.

[0009] Preferably, the collection pipe includes a funnel section and a straight pipe section connected sequentially from top to bottom; the top of the funnel section is connected to the bottom of the protective cover, and the lower end of the straight pipe section extends into the opening at the top of the collection container. The funnel section expands the collection range, ensuring that all scraped astatine-containing powder is introduced without leakage. The straight pipe section precisely guides the powder into the collection container, preventing powder residue or diffusion during transport and improving collection efficiency.

[0010] Preferably, the system also includes a suction mechanism, which is connected to the straight pipe section via a connecting branch pipe. A filter membrane is installed at the connection point between the connecting branch pipe and the straight pipe section. The suction mechanism draws astatine from the protective cover into the collection container. The suction mechanism generates negative pressure, accelerating the movement of powder from the protective cover into the collection container, further improving collection efficiency. Furthermore, the filter membrane can intercept radioactive powder, ensuring that astatine is drawn into the collection container and preventing it from entering the suction mechanism and causing contamination. This also ensures smooth airflow, balancing collection effectiveness with equipment cleanliness.

[0011] Preferably, the target driving mechanism includes a driving bracket and a driving motor. The driving motor is horizontally mounted on the driving bracket and connected to one end of the cylindrical target via a coupling. The scraper driving mechanism is a linear slide, and the scraper is mounted on the sliding part of the linear slide via a scraper bracket. The driving motor directly drives the cylindrical target through the coupling, ensuring stable transmission, accurate target rotation, and uniform irradiation. The linear slide drives the scraper for precise forward and backward movement, allowing for flexible control of the scraping force and range, avoiding damage to the target while ensuring thorough scraping.

[0012] Preferably, the target driving mechanism further includes a horizontal slide table, and the driving bracket is disposed on the sliding part of the horizontal slide table for driving the cylindrical target to move along its axial direction. By driving the cylindrical target to move axially via the horizontal slide table, the irradiation coverage area is further expanded, adapting to higher current-intensity accelerators and increasing output. Simultaneously, the combination of axial and circumferential movement of the target optimizes the irradiation effect and enhances the applicability of the device.

[0013] Preferably, the collection container is a glass bottle with an open top, and the shielding container includes a bottle cover and a cap. The top of the bottle cover has a slot for accommodating the glass bottle, and the cap has a perforation for the collection pipe to pass through, with the perforation vertically aligned with the slot. The glass bottle is placed in the slot, and the cap covers the top of the bottle cover, enclosing the glass bottle. The lower end of the collection pipe is inserted through the perforation and extends into the glass bottle. Using a glass bottle as a collection container facilitates material retrieval and subsequent processing of astatine-containing powder. The bottle cover and cap together form a complete shielding structure, with the perforation vertically aligned with the slot, ensuring accurate insertion of the collection pipe while comprehensively shielding radiation and improving operational safety.

[0014] Preferably, the system also includes a lifting platform for supporting the shielding container. The lifting platform includes a platform support, a lifting drive, and a lifting platform. The lifting drive is mounted on the platform support, and its top drive unit is connected to the lifting platform, driving the platform to rise and fall. The lifting platform also has a lifting guide rod that slides with the platform support. The top surface of the lifting platform has a container positioning slot for placing the shielding container. The lifting guide rod ensures smooth movement of the lifting platform, the container positioning slot secures the shielding container, preventing powder leakage due to container displacement during collection, and the lifting platform facilitates detachment and transfer of the container.

[0015] Preferably, the top of the protective cover is an openable top cover. This openable top cover allows personnel to directly access the interior of the protective cover, facilitating the replacement and maintenance of the cylindrical target, as well as the cleaning of the interior, greatly improving the maintainability of the equipment.

[0016] The advantages of this invention are: Improved production efficiency and beam utilization: By combining the rotation and axial movement of the cylindrical target, the irradiation area is greatly expanded, avoiding heat accumulation effect and adapting to higher current intensity accelerators; at the same time, irradiation and scraping are carried out simultaneously in the same protective cover, eliminating the need for target transfer, reducing operation time, and significantly improving beam utilization and production efficiency. Solving the heat dissipation problem of the target: The cylindrical target has a built-in cooling channel, which, together with the coaxial liquid inlet and outlet channels and rotary joint assembly, achieves stable circulation of the cooling medium, efficiently removes the heat accumulated by irradiation, avoids softening or melting of the bismuth coating, and ensures the stability of the target and the production of astatine-211. Simplified shielding design enhances safety: The shielding container directly covers the collection container, and the collection pipe enables powder to be collected nearby, eliminating the need for long-distance transportation; the shielding platform isolates the drive mechanism from the radioactive area, and the overall shielding structure is compact, significantly reducing the risk of radiation leakage. Easy to operate and maintain: The lifting platform is compatible with collection containers of different sizes; the linear slide table drives the scraper to achieve precise scraping; the overall operation of the device is flexible and the maintenance cost is low. High collection efficiency and no pollution: The funnel section expands the collection range, the suction mechanism accelerates powder movement, and the filter membrane prevents powder from contaminating the equipment, ensuring a high recovery rate and purity of astatine-211 powder. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the astatine-211 production equipment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a plan view of the astatine-211 production equipment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the protective cover of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the internal structure of the protective cover of the present invention. Figure 5 For the present invention Figure 4 Figure 6 is a partial enlarged view of the protective cover of the present invention. Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the protective cover of the present invention. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the collection container and shielding container of the present invention. Figure 9 is a structural schematic diagram of the lifting platform of the present invention.

[0018] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures: 1. Cylindrical target; 11. Cooling channel; 2. Protective cover; 20. Top cover; 21. Irradiation port; 22. Scraper hole; 3. Scraper; 31. Scraper support; 4. Collection container; 5. Shielding container; 51. Bottle cover; 511. Placement slot; 52. Cover; 521. Perforation; 6. Rotary joint assembly; 601. Liquid inlet channel; 602. Liquid outlet channel; 61. Rotary joint housing; 611. Liquid inlet pipe; 62. Outer pipe; 63. Rotary bearing; 64. Inner pipe; 65. Mounting hole; 651. First step hole; 6511. First 652. Slot; 6521. Second Slot; 653. Third Slot; 654. Through Hole; 66. Rotary Sealing Ring; 67. First Snap Ring; 68. Second Snap Ring; 7. Collection Pipe; 71. Funnel Section; 72. Straight Pipe Section; 73. Connecting Branch Pipe; 74. Filter Membrane; 8. Shielding Platform; 81. Drive Support; 82. Drive Motor; 9. Linear Slide; 50. Lifting Platform; 501. Platform Support; 502. Lifting Drive Component; 503. Lifting Table; 504. Lifting Guide Rod; 505. Container Positioning Slot. Detailed Implementation

[0019] First, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely used to explain the technical principles of the embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. Those skilled in the art can make adjustments as needed to adapt to specific application scenarios.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0021] In the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact with the second feature through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0022] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] like Figures 1 to 9 As shown, an astatine-211 production device includes a cylindrical target 1, a protective cover 2, a target drive mechanism, a cooling system, a scraper 3, a scraper drive mechanism, a collection container 4, a shielding container 5, a rotary joint assembly 6, and a collection pipe 7. The outer peripheral wall of the cylindrical target 1 is coated with a bismuth layer for receiving beam irradiation. The protective cover 2 covers the outside of the cylindrical target 1 and has an irradiation hole 21 for beam injection and a scraper hole 22 for the scraper 3 to extend into. The top of the protective cover 2 is an openable top cover 20. The openable top cover 20 allows personnel to directly access the interior of the protective cover 2, facilitating the replacement and maintenance of the cylindrical target 1 and the cleaning of the interior of the protective cover 2, greatly improving the maintainability of the equipment. The target drive mechanism is connected to one axial end of the cylindrical target 1 and drives it to rotate around its axis within the protective cover 2. The cooling system includes a cooling channel disposed within the cylindrical target 1 and a rotary joint assembly 6 connected thereto. The rotary joint assembly 6 is connected to the other axial end of the cylindrical target 1 and is used to introduce a cooling medium. The rotary joint assembly 6 has a liquid inlet channel 601 for introducing the cooling medium into the cooling channel 11 and a liquid outlet channel 602 for discharging the cooling medium from the cooling channel 11. When production is completed and product collection is finished, the cylindrical target 1 can be manually or automatically detached from the transmission connection structure and cooling system for replacement. A scraper 3 is disposed within the protective cover 2 and passes through a scraper hole 22, used to scrape off the bismuth plating layer on the surface of the cylindrical target 1. A scraper drive mechanism is connected to the scraper 3 and is used to drive the scraper 3 closer to or further away from the cylindrical target 1. The collection container 4 is used to collect the scraped astatine-211-containing powder; the shielding container 5 is placed outside the collection container 4 to shield it from radioactive radiation; the collection pipe 7 connects the protective cover 2 and the collection container 4 to guide the scraped powder into the collection container 4. This device combines irradiation and scraping, greatly improving production efficiency. Through the cylindrical target 1 and its rotational motion, combined with fixed beam irradiation, the beam spot can cover a larger target area, allowing the bismuth target to avoid heat accumulation at higher current intensities. This greatly improves the yield of astatine-211, especially suitable for future high-current accelerators. The integrated cooling system acts directly on the inside of the cylindrical target 1, and combined with the increased irradiation area, achieves efficient and uniform heat dissipation, effectively preventing the bismuth layer from softening, melting, or being damaged due to heat accumulation because of its low melting point, ensuring production stability and yield. The irradiation within the protective cover 2, scraping, and collection functions are integrated into one unit. The scraped radioactive powder is collected directly into the shielded container 5 via collection pipe 7, enabling online collection. This avoids the need to transport the highly reactive cylindrical target 1 through long-distance pipelines to other hot chambers for operation, simplifying the shielding design and reducing radiation exposure risks and facility construction costs. The protective shield 2 and the shielded container 5 provide dual protection, shielding against radiation generated during irradiation and the collected astatine-211 powder and its characteristic X-rays, ensuring the safety of operators and the environment.

[0024] like Figures 3 to 6 As shown, the rotary joint assembly 6 includes a rotary joint housing 61, an outer tube 62, and an inner tube 64. The rotary joint housing 61 is axially distributed, and a mounting hole 65 is provided through the rotary joint housing 61 along the axial direction of the cylindrical target 1. One axial end of the rotary joint housing 61 is connected to an inlet pipe 611 communicating with the mounting hole 65. In this embodiment, the inlet pipe 611 is integrally formed on one axial end of the rotary joint housing 61, which reduces connection gaps and lowers the risk of cooling medium leakage compared to welding or detachable connection methods. The inlet pipe 611 is in a right-angle bend shape, and the bend structure can flexibly adapt to the overall layout of the device, avoid interference between the inlet pipe 611 and other components, and improve the space utilization of the device. The outer tube 62 is axially rotatably connected in the mounting hole 65, and the inlet end of the outer tube 62 communicates with the inlet pipe 611; the outlet end of the outer tube 62 is detachably connected to the cylindrical target 1, and an inlet flow channel 601 is formed inside the outer tube 62. In this embodiment, the outer tube 62 is fixed to the cylindrical target 1 by a threaded connection. In specific applications, a snap-fit ​​connection can also be used. The inner tube 64 is coaxially inserted inside the outer tube 62. The liquid inlet end of the inner tube 64 extends into the cooling channel 11 near the target drive mechanism, thereby enabling sufficient cooling of the astatine on the cylindrical target 1 and improving cooling efficiency. The liquid outlet end of the inner tube 64 extends outside the rotary joint housing 61, and a liquid outlet channel 602 is formed inside the inner tube 64. In this embodiment, the liquid outlet end of the inner tube 64 extends axially through the liquid inlet pipe 611 and outside the liquid inlet pipe 611, and the inner tube 64 is fixedly and sealed to the liquid inlet pipe 611. While ensuring the unobstructed flow of the liquid outlet channel 602, gaps between the inner tube 64 and the liquid inlet pipe 611 are avoided, which could lead to mixing or leakage of the cooling medium. This ensures the independence of the liquid inlet channel 601 and the liquid outlet channel 602, maintains the stability of the cooling medium circulation, and thus ensures the cooling effect. In summary, the coaxial design (liquid outlet in inner tube 64, liquid inlet through an annular channel between outer tube 62 and inner tube 64) significantly saves axial installation space, making the equipment structure more compact. The detachable connection between outer tube 62 and cylindrical target 1 facilitates the overall disassembly and maintenance of the rotating components. By fixing and sealing the inner tube 64 to the stationary inlet tube 611, the dynamic sealing problem is transformed into a static seal, greatly reducing the sealing difficulty and failure risk under rotational conditions, and improving the long-term operational reliability and sealing performance of the cooling system.

[0025] like Figure 5 and Figure 6As shown, the mounting hole 65 is stepped, and from near the cylindrical target 1 to away from the cylindrical target 1, the mounting hole 65 includes a first stepped hole 651, a second stepped hole 652, a third stepped hole 653 and a through hole 654 arranged coaxially. A rotary bearing 63 is installed in the first stepped hole 651 between the rotary joint housing 61 and the outer tube 62. A first retaining groove 6511 is provided on the inner wall of the first stepped hole 651, and the rotary bearing 63 is limited in the first stepped hole 651 by a first retaining spring 67. A rotary sealing ring 66 is installed in the second stepped hole 652 between the rotary joint housing 61 and the outer tube 62, and the rotary sealing ring 66 is located on the side near the liquid inlet end of the outer tube 62. The inner wall of the second-step hole 652 is provided with a second retaining groove 6521, and the rotating sealing ring 66 is limited within the second-step hole 652 by a second retaining spring 68; the liquid inlet end of the outer tube 62 is limited within the third-step hole 653, and the liquid inlet end of the through hole 654 is connected to the liquid outlet end of the liquid inlet pipe 611. By dividing the mounting holes 65 into functional zones to accommodate the rotating bearing 63, the rotating sealing ring 66, the limiting of the outer tube 62, and the flow of the medium, precise positioning and installation of each component is achieved, avoiding interference between different components in the same hole and improving the overall assembly accuracy. The rotating bearing 63 is limited within the first-step hole 651 by the first retaining spring 67 to prevent axial movement of the bearing during the rotation of the cylindrical target 1, ensuring the smooth rotation of the outer tube 62, reducing vibration and noise caused by bearing loosening, and extending the service life of the rotary joint assembly 6. The second retaining ring 68 limits the rotational sealing ring 66, ensuring that it remains in the sealed position between the outer tube 62 and the rotary joint housing 61. This prevents displacement of the sealing ring and subsequent leakage of the cooling medium, further improving the sealing performance of the rotary joint assembly 6 and maintaining stable cooling system pressure. Axial limiting at the liquid inlet end of the outer tube 62, in conjunction with the rotary bearing 63 and the rotational sealing ring 66, provides multi-point support and positioning for the outer tube 62. This further improves the coaxiality of the outer tube 62 during rotation, reduces wear caused by eccentric rotation, and extends the service life of the outer tube 62.

[0026] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, it also includes a shielding platform 8 (which can be made of shielding materials such as lead or tungsten). The shielding platform 8 is horizontally positioned, separating the protective cover 2 and the collection container 4 on its upper and lower sides. In this embodiment, the shielding platform 8 serves as a support platform for the cylindrical target 1, the protective cover 2, the target drive mechanism, and the scraper drive mechanism, allowing the collection pipe 7 to extend through the shielding platform 8 to its lower side. The shielding platform 8 also acts as a shield, combining support and shielding into one, resulting in a simpler and more rational structure. By dividing the device into an "upper zone" of high-radiation irradiation / scraping and a "lower zone" of collection shielding through the shielding platform 8, physical zoning and radiation shielding are achieved. Placing components requiring maintenance, such as the drive mechanism, in the lower radiation zone above the shielding platform 8 facilitates maintenance and operation, further improving operational safety.

[0027] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, the collection pipe 7 includes a funnel section 71 and a straight pipe section 72 connected sequentially from top to bottom; the top of the funnel section 71 is connected to the bottom of the protective cover 2, and the lower end of the straight pipe section 72 extends into the opening at the top of the collection container 4. The funnel section 71 facilitates the collection of scraped powder, while the straight pipe section 72 guides the powder to fall precisely into the collection container 4. This structural design is simple and effective, reducing powder scattering and adhesion during transport and improving product recovery rate.

[0028] like Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown, it also includes a suction mechanism (such as an air pump or exhaust fan, not shown in the figure). The suction mechanism is connected to the straight pipe section 72 via a connecting branch pipe 73. A filter membrane 74 is provided at the connection between the connecting branch pipe 73 and the straight pipe section 72. The suction mechanism draws the astatine inside the protective cover 2 into the collection container 4. The negative pressure generated by the suction mechanism can actively draw the lightweight and easily airborne astatine-211 powder into the collection container 4, further improving the collection efficiency and recovery rate. Furthermore, the filter membrane 74 can prevent the powder from being drawn into the suction mechanism, avoiding radioactive contamination and loss.

[0029] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the target driving mechanism includes a drive bracket 81 and a drive motor 82. The drive motor 82 is horizontally mounted on the drive bracket 81 and is connected to one end of the cylindrical target 1 via a coupling. The scraper driving mechanism is a linear slide 9, and the scraper 3 is mounted on the sliding part of the linear slide 9 via a scraper bracket 31. By using a "drive motor 82 + coupling" and a "linear slide 9" as the driving mechanism, the structure is mature, the control is precise, the reliability is high, and it is easy to achieve automated control, ensuring the stability and repeatability of the irradiation and scraping process. In this embodiment, the target driving mechanism also includes a horizontal slide (not shown in the figure). The drive motor 82 and its drive bracket 81 can be mounted on a horizontal slide, thereby driving the cylindrical target 1 to reciprocate along its axis. This increases the axial movement freedom of the cylindrical target 1, and combined with rotational motion, a helical irradiation path can be achieved, which can further increase the usable target surface area and make the heat distribution more uniform. During scraping, axial movement can also achieve more thorough and uniform scraping.

[0030] like Figure 8 As shown, the collecting container 4 is a glass bottle with an open top, 1 cm in radius and 5 cm in height, or other suitable dimensions, used to collect astatine-211 powder and shield alpha rays. In specific applications, the collecting container 4 can also be a plastic bottle. The shielding container 5 is made of lead or steel, a cylinder with a height of 11 cm, a radius of 4 cm, and a thickness conservatively set at 3 cm, used to shield the characteristic X-rays emitted by the radioactive isotope astatine-211. The shielding container 5 includes a cylindrical bottle cover 51 and a cap 52; the top of the bottle cover 51 has a placement groove 511 for accommodating the glass bottle, and the cap 52 has a perforation 521 for the collecting pipe 7 to pass through, with the perforation 521 vertically aligned with the placement groove 511; the glass bottle is placed in the placement groove 511, the cap 52 covers the top of the bottle cover 51 and encloses the glass bottle, and the lower end of the collecting pipe 7 is inserted through the perforation 521 and extends into the glass bottle. By using a glass bottle as the inner collecting container 4, it is easy to observe the collection process and it has good chemical stability. The bottle cover 51 and cap 52 of the shielded container 5 are designed to provide comprehensive shielding, and its modular design facilitates the handling and transfer of the container.

[0031] like Figure 9As shown, it also includes a lifting platform 50 for supporting the shielding container 5; the lifting platform 50 includes a platform support 501, a lifting drive component 502 (such as an electric push rod or cylinder), and a lifting platform 503; the lifting drive component 502 is mounted on the platform support 501, and the driving part at the top of the lifting drive component 502 is connected to the lifting platform 503, and the lifting platform 503 is raised and lowered by the lifting drive component 502; the lifting platform 503 is also provided with a lifting guide rod 504 that slides with the platform support 501; the top surface of the lifting platform 503 is provided with a container positioning groove 505 for placing the shielding container 5. The height of the collection container 4 can be easily adjusted by the lifting platform 50, so that it can be tightly connected or separated from the lower end of the collection pipe 7. This facilitates the installation, replacement or transfer of the collection container 4, and ensures the sealing during the collection process to prevent the leakage of radioactive materials.

[0032] The working process of the device Target preparation: Open the top cover 20 of the protective cover 2, confirm that the bismuth coating on the outer periphery of the cylindrical target 1 is intact, close the top cover 20 and seal it; Cooling start-up: Coolant is introduced into the cooling channel 11 through the rotary joint assembly 6 to confirm that the water flow is stable; Irradiation and rotation: The accelerator is started so that the α beam irradiates the bismuth coating of the cylindrical target 1 through the irradiation hole 21; at the same time, the target drive mechanism is started so that the cylindrical target 1 rotates around the axis and moves along the axis, so that the α beam can irradiate the cylindrical target 1 (cylindrical surface) uniformly, and achieve uniform irradiation. Scraping and Collection: After the irradiation continues for a predetermined time, the scraper drive mechanism is activated, so that the scraper 3 slowly approaches the cylindrical target 1 and contacts the bismuth coating to scrape off the astatine-211; at the same time, the suction mechanism is activated to form a negative pressure in the collection pipe 7, and the powder is sucked into the collection container 4 through the funnel part 71 and the straight pipe part 72. Collection Completion and Replacement: After scraping is completed, turn off the suction mechanism and the scraper drive mechanism, start the lifting platform 50 to descend, open the cover 52 of the shielding container 5, take out the collection container 4 and seal it; replace with a new collection container 4; open the top cover 20 of the protective cover 2 and replace the cylindrical target 1; repeat the above steps for the next batch of production. Maintenance and repair: If internal components need maintenance, turn off the accelerator and cooling system, open the protective cover 2 top cover 20, and you can inspect or replace the cylindrical target 1, scraper 3, etc.

[0033] In summary, the advantages of this invention are: High-efficiency heat dissipation and high production capacity: This invention employs a cylindrical target body combined with rotation / movement, enabling a fixed beam to perform scanning irradiation on a continuously moving, large-area target surface, significantly increasing the heat dissipation area. Simultaneously, the target body integrates cooling channels 11, achieving highly efficient forced cooling. This allows the invention to withstand and fully utilize future accelerator beams with even higher flow rates, enabling large-scale, high-efficiency production of Astatine-211.

[0034] High-efficiency cooling and leak prevention: The cooling system directly cools the target body 1 through the built-in cooling channel 11, solving the problems of target damage and coating peeling caused by high irradiation temperature; the rotary joint assembly 6 adopts a design with coaxial liquid inlet channel 601, liquid outlet channel 602, one-piece molded liquid inlet pipe 611, stepped hole assembly of rotary sealing ring 66 and rotary bearing 63, to achieve stable circulation of cooling medium, avoid leakage, reduce component vibration and wear, and extend the service life of rotary joint and target body.

[0035] Online Collection and Simplified Shielding: This invention integrates the irradiation area and the scraping collection area within the protective shield 2, achieving integrated online operation of "irradiation-scraping-collection". The scraped radioactive powder falls directly into the collection container 4 below through the collection pipe 7, eliminating the need for long-distance transmission of the highly reactive target. This completely eliminates the need for complex long-distance shielding pipeline engineering, simplifies the facility structure, and reduces construction costs and radiation shielding difficulty.

[0036] High recovery rate and safety: The funnel-shaped collection pipe 7 and optional suction mechanism enable efficient and complete collection of lightweight radioactive powder, reducing residue and improving the final recovery rate of Astatine-211. The protective shield 2, shielding platform 8, and shielding container 5 constitute a multi-layered, zoned radiation protection system, maximizing the safety of operators and the environment.

[0037] High reliability and ease of maintenance: The device uses mature and reliable drive and transmission components, ensuring stable operation. The protective cover 2 and top cover 20 can be opened, and the lifting platform 50 facilitates container loading and unloading, making target replacement, equipment cleaning, and maintenance very convenient, reducing operation and maintenance costs and downtime.

[0038] Suitable for mass production: This invention can be adapted to future high-current accelerators and high-volume applications. Simply increase the cylinder radius or surface area, and the principle remains the same. The target structure is simple, cylindrical, and the coating does not require specific patterns or arrangements, making it easy to mass-produce.

[0039] In the description of the embodiments of this application, it should be noted that the terms "inner" and "outer" and other terms indicating direction or positional relationship are based on the direction or positional relationship shown in the drawings. This is only for the convenience of description and does not indicate or imply that the device or component must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it should not be construed as a limitation of this application.

[0040] In the description of this application, the references to terms such as "an embodiment," "some embodiments," "in this embodiment," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in a suitable manner in any one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0041] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An astatine-211 production equipment, characterized in that, It includes a cylindrical target (1) with a bismuth coating on its outer peripheral wall for receiving beam irradiation; A protective cover (2) is provided on the outside of the cylindrical target (1). The protective cover (2) is provided with an irradiation hole (21) for beam injection and a scraper hole (22) for the scraper (3) to be inserted. The target driving mechanism is connected to the cylindrical target (1) and is used to drive it to rotate around the axis; The cooling system includes a cooling channel (11) disposed within the cylindrical target (1) and a rotary joint assembly (6) communicating therewith. The rotary joint assembly (6) is coaxially provided with an inlet channel (601) and an outlet channel (602). The inlet channel (601) is used to introduce cooling medium into the cooling channel (11). The outlet channel (602) is used to discharge the cooling medium from the cooling channel (11). A scraper (3) is inserted into the scraper hole (22) and is used to scrape off the bismuth coating on the surface of the cylindrical target (1); A scraper drive mechanism is connected to the scraper (3) and is used to drive the scraper (3) to move closer to or away from the cylindrical target (1). Collection container (4) is used to collect the scraped astatine-211-containing powder; A shielding container (5) is placed over the outside of the collection container (4) to shield against radioactive radiation; A collection pipe (7) is connected to the protective cover (2) and the collection container (4) for introducing the scraped powder into the collection container (4). A shielding platform (8) is used to separate the protective cover (2) and the collection container (4) on the upper and lower sides of the shielding platform (8).

2. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rotary joint assembly (6) includes a rotary joint housing (61), an outer tube (62), and an inner tube (64); the rotary joint housing (61) has a mounting hole (65) extending through the cylindrical target (1) along its axial direction, and one axial end of the rotary joint housing (61) is connected to an inlet pipe (611) communicating with the mounting hole (65); the outer tube (62) is rotatably connected within the mounting hole (65), and the inlet end of the outer tube (62) is connected to the inlet pipe (611). 611) Connected; the liquid outlet end of the outer tube (62) is detachably connected to the cylindrical target (1), and the liquid inlet channel (601) is formed inside the outer tube (62); the inner tube (64) is coaxially inserted inside the outer tube (62), the liquid inlet end of the inner tube (64) extends into the cooling channel (11), the liquid outlet end of the inner tube (64) extends into the outside of the rotary joint housing (61), and the liquid outlet channel (602) is formed inside the inner tube (64).

3. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting hole (65) is stepped, and the mounting hole (65) includes, from largest to smallest, a first stepped hole (651), a second stepped hole (652), a third stepped hole (653), and a through hole (654) arranged coaxially; a rotary bearing (63) is installed in the first stepped hole (651) between the rotary joint housing (61) and the outer tube (62), and a first retaining groove (6511) is provided on the inner wall of the first stepped hole (651), and the rotary bearing (63) is limited to the first retaining groove by a first retaining spring (67). Inside the stepped hole (651); inside the second stepped hole (652), a rotary sealing ring (66) is installed between the rotary joint housing (61) and the outer tube (62). The inner wall of the second stepped hole (652) is provided with a second slot (6521), and the rotary sealing ring (66) is limited inside the second stepped hole (652) by a second snap ring (68). The liquid inlet end of the outer tube (62) is rotated and limited inside the third stepped hole (653). The liquid inlet end of the through hole (654) is connected to the liquid outlet end of the liquid inlet pipe (611).

4. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection pipe (7) includes a funnel section (71) and a straight pipe section (72) connected sequentially from top to bottom; the top of the funnel section (71) is connected to the bottom of the protective cover (2), and the lower end of the straight pipe section (72) extends into the opening at the top of the collection container (4).

5. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 4, characterized in that, It also includes a suction mechanism, which is connected to the straight pipe (72) via a connecting branch pipe (73). A filter membrane (74) is provided at the connection between the connecting branch pipe (73) and the straight pipe (72), and the suction mechanism sucks the astatine in the protective cover (2) into the collection container (2).

6. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The target driving mechanism includes a driving bracket (81) and a driving motor (82). The driving motor (82) is horizontally mounted on the driving bracket (81) and is connected to one end of the cylindrical target (1) via a coupling. The scraper driving mechanism is a linear slide (9), and the scraper (3) is mounted on the sliding part of the linear slide (9) via a scraper bracket (31).

7. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 6, characterized in that, The target driving mechanism also includes a horizontal slide, and the driving bracket (81) is disposed on the sliding part of the horizontal slide to drive the cylindrical target (1) to move along its axial direction.

8. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The collection container (4) is a glass bottle with an open top. The shielding container (5) includes a bottle cover (51) and a cover (52). The top of the bottle cover (51) is provided with a placement groove (511) for accommodating the glass bottle. The cover (52) is provided with a perforation (521) for the collection pipe (7) to pass through, and the perforation (521) is vertically aligned with the placement groove (511). The glass bottle is placed in the placement groove (511), and the cover (52) covers the top of the bottle cover (51) and covers the glass bottle inside. The lower end of the collection pipe (7) is inserted from the perforation (521) and extends into the glass bottle.

9. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a lifting platform (50) for supporting the shielding container (5); the lifting platform (50) includes a platform support (501), a lifting drive (502), and a lifting platform (503); the lifting drive (502) is mounted on the platform support (501), the driving part at the top of the lifting drive (502) is connected to the lifting platform (503), and the lifting drive drives the lifting platform (503) to rise and fall; the lifting platform (503) is also provided with a lifting guide rod (504) that slides with the platform support (501); the top surface of the lifting platform (503) is provided with a container positioning groove (505) for placing the shielding container (5).

10. The astatine-211 production equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the protective cover (2) is configured as an openable top cover (20).

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