Electroplating cell for the production of medical isotopes by an accelerator
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY
- Filing Date
- 2026-03-13
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-23
AI Technical Summary
In the current technical route for preparing the medical isotope actinium-225, it is difficult to fix barium carbonate radium onto the target during accelerator irradiation, which leads to inconvenience in operation and the risk of plating solution leakage.
Design an electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator, including an electroplating bath body, a pressure plate, and a sealing ring. The target can be quickly installed and removed by screw connection, and the contact interface is sealed by the sealing ring to prevent leakage of the plating solution.
This method achieves stable fixation of barium carbonate radium on the target, enables rapid installation and removal of the target, ensures the sealing of the electroplating process and the simplicity of the structure, and avoids leakage of the plating solution.
Smart Images
Figure CN122257084A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of accelerator-based medical isotope preparation technology, and more particularly to an electroplating bath for accelerator-based medical isotope production. Background Technology
[0002] Targeted alpha therapy (TAT) is a promising nuclear medicine treatment method that uses radionuclides that emit alpha particles and tumor-selective carrier molecules as carriers to specifically target cancer cells. Actinene-225 (Ac-225) is one of the best choices for radionuclides in TAT due to its suitable half-life, unique decay properties, and ease of coordination.
[0003] Currently, the global annual production capacity of Ac-225 is approximately 1.8 Ci, while the global annual demand for Ac-225 is projected to reach approximately 600 Ci. Due to insufficient production capacity and the huge gap between supply and demand, the price of Ac-225 has remained persistently high, earning it the reputation of being "the rarest drug on Earth," and once reaching a record high price of $1 million per mCi. At the same time, due to the shortage of Ac-225, although its potential in treating advanced cancer has been confirmed by clinical trials, research efforts are still hampered by the insufficient supply of raw material Ac-225, severely hindering the development of the medical and health industry.
[0004] On June 24, 2021, the China Atomic Energy Authority, together with eight other departments including the Ministry of Science and Technology, released the "Medium- and Long-Term Development Plan for Medical Isotopes (2021-2035)". Key tasks outlined in the plan include: "Mastering the research and development of key technologies for the irradiation and separation preparation of novel medical isotopes such as Ge-68 and Ac-225 using accelerators," and increasing technological research and development to promote innovative development.
[0005] The technical route for preparing Ac-225 by bombarding Ra-226 (radium-226) with a low-energy cyclotron has few nuclear reaction byproducts and produces virtually no other isotopes of actinium besides Ac-225. This approach is conducive to obtaining high-purity Ac-225 and is currently the most promising method for preparing medical Ac-225.
[0006] The biggest challenge in the technical route of preparing Ac-225 by irradiating Ra-226 with a low-energy cyclotron is fixing barium radium carbonate onto the target used for accelerator irradiation to ensure that it does not fall off during high-energy irradiation.
[0007] Electroplating is a feasible method to fix radium (barium radium carbonate) onto a target. The electroplating bath is designed to facilitate operation during the electroplating process and prevent leakage of the plating solution. Summary of the Invention
[0008] This invention aims to at least partially solve one of the technical problems in related technologies. To this end, one objective of this invention is to provide an electroplating cell for the production of medical isotopes in accelerators, specifically for the preparation of the medical isotope actinium-225 from accelerator irradiation of radium Ra-226. This electroplating cell can fix barium carbonate radium onto a target, enabling rapid installation and removal of the target, and has the advantages of convenient maintenance, reliable sealing, and simple structure.
[0009] An electroplating bath for accelerator-based production of medical isotopes according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: An electroplating tank body, wherein the electroplating tank body has a cavity that extends through the bottom of the electroplating tank body; A pressing sheet, comprising a front sheet portion and a rear sheet portion connected in the front-to-back direction, wherein the front sheet portion and the rear sheet portion are respectively detachably connected to the bottom of the electroplating tank body by front screws and rear screws distributed on opposite sides of the tank cavity, so that the target covering the bottom end of the tank cavity is clamped between the bottom of the electroplating tank body and the pressing sheet. A sealing ring surrounds the bottom periphery of the pool cavity and is sealed between the bottom of the electroplating pool body and the target.
[0010] The electroplating cell for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to this invention has the following advantages: First, it allows barium carbonate and radium to be fixed onto the target during the electroplating process. Second, the target is easy to install and remove; by using a pressure plate, front screws, and rear screws, it enables rapid installation and removal of the target, making operation convenient. Third, it provides reliable sealing; a sealing ring is arranged around the bottom periphery of the cell cavity, covering the contact interface between the cell cavity and the target, forming a seal that fills gaps and prevents plating solution leakage. Fourth, it has a simple structure; the front and rear portions of the pressure plate are adapted to the bottom space of the electroplating cell body, avoiding installation interference and reducing the weight and space occupied by the device, resulting in a simple structure.
[0011] In summary, the electroplating pool for producing medical isotopes in the accelerator according to the embodiments of the present invention is an electroplating pool used in the process of preparing medical isotope actinium-225 by accelerator irradiation of radium Ra-226. It can fix radium carbonate onto the target, realize the rapid installation and disassembly of the target, and has the advantages of convenient maintenance, reliable sealing and simple structure.
[0012] In some embodiments, the front plate portion is provided with a front linear sliding hole extending forward and backward, the front end of the front linear sliding hole extending to the front end face of the pressure plate, and the front linear sliding hole is adapted for the vertical rod of the front screw to pass through; the rear plate portion is provided with a rear linear sliding hole extending forward and backward, the rear linear sliding hole is adapted for the vertical rod of the rear screw to pass through, and the front end of the rear linear sliding hole is connected to a through hole through which the head of the rear screw passes; the lower surface of the front plate portion is provided with a front inclined surface corresponding to the front linear sliding hole, and the rear plate portion is provided with a rear inclined surface corresponding to the rear linear sliding hole, the inclination direction of the front inclined surface and the rear inclined surface are the same, the thickness of the front plate portion at the position corresponding to the front inclined surface gradually increases from front to back, and the thickness of the rear plate portion at the position corresponding to the rear inclined surface gradually increases from front to back.
[0013] In some embodiments, the inclination angle between the front inclined surface and the rear inclined surface is 3 to 5 degrees.
[0014] In some embodiments, there is one front linear sliding hole and one rear linear sliding hole, and one front screw and one rear screw.
[0015] In some embodiments, the bottom of the electroplating tank body is provided with a target receiving cavity and a pressing slot, the pressing slot being located below the target receiving cavity.
[0016] In some embodiments, the bottom of the electroplating tank body is provided with an annular groove facing downwards, and the sealing ring is fixed in the annular groove.
[0017] In some embodiments, the annular groove is a groove that is wider at the inside and narrower at the opening.
[0018] In some embodiments, the cross-section of the annular groove is a right-angled trapezoid.
[0019] In some embodiments, the width of the target in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the pressure plate in the left-right direction.
[0020] In some embodiments, the tablet press is provided with an operating section.
[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description
[0022] Figure 1 This is a perspective structural schematic diagram of the electroplating cell for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure at the bottom of the electroplating tank for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the tablet compression structure in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a front view of the tablet compression device in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 yes Figure 4 Cross-sectional view at point AA; Figure 6 This is a top view of the electroplating tank body in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a bottom view of the electroplating tank body in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the circumferential groove in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] Figure Labels An accelerator for producing electroplating cells for medical isotopes (1000). Electroplating bath body 1; bath cavity 101; annular groove 102; target receiving cavity 103; pressing slot 104; Tablet compression 2; front tablet section 201; front straight sliding hole 2011; front inclined surface 2012; rear tablet section 202; rear straight sliding hole 2021; rear inclined surface 2022; perforation 2023; operating section 203; 3. Sealing ring; 4. Target; 5a. Front screw; 5b. Rear screw; 6. Cover. Detailed Implementation
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and intended to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.
[0025] The following is combined Figures 1 to 8 This invention describes an electroplating pool 1000 for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator. It is used in the process of preparing the medical isotope actinium-225 by accelerator irradiation of radium Ra-226 and is used to fix radium carbonate onto a target 4.
[0026] like Figures 1 to 8 As shown, the electroplating pool 1000 for producing medical isotopes in an accelerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electroplating pool body 1, a pressing plate 2, and a sealing ring 3.
[0027] The electroplating tank body 1 has a tank cavity 101 that runs through the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1, and the tank cavity 101 is used to store the plating solution.
[0028] The pressure plate 2 includes a front plate portion 201 and a rear plate portion 202 connected in the front-to-back direction. The front plate portion 201 and the rear plate portion 202 are respectively detachably connected to the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1 by front screws 5a and rear screws 5b distributed on opposite sides of the tank cavity 101, so that the target 4 covering the bottom end of the tank cavity 101 is clamped between the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1 and the pressure plate 2. The area of the upper surface of the target 4 covering the tank cavity 101 can fix radium carbonate during the electroplating process. When installing the target 4, the target 4 is first placed at the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1, and then the pressure plate 2 is placed on the lower surface of the target 4. The pressure plate 2 is quickly pressed against the target 4 by the front screws 5a and rear screws 5b (see...). Figure 1 and Figure 2 The target part 4 (e.g., the target part 4 with radium carbonate fixed after electroplating) can be removed by operating in reverse, which makes disassembly and maintenance convenient.
[0029] The sealing ring 3 surrounds the bottom periphery of the pool cavity 101 and is sealed between the bottom of the electroplating pool body 1 and the target 4. The sealing ring 3 is used to fill the gap between the bottom of the pool cavity 101 and the target 4 to prevent plating solution leakage and ensure reliable sealing.
[0030] The electroplating cell 1000 for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to this invention has the following advantages: First, it allows radium carbonate to be fixed on the target 4 during the electroplating process. Second, the target 4 is easy to install and remove; by setting the pressure plate 2, front screw 5a, and rear screw 5b, the target 4 can be quickly installed and quickly removed, making operation convenient. Third, it has a reliable seal; the sealing ring 3 is arranged around the bottom periphery of the cell cavity 101, covering the contact interface between the cell cavity 101 and the target 4, forming a seal that fills gaps and prevents plating solution leakage. Fourth, it has a simple structure; the front part 201 and the rear part 202 of the pressure plate 2 are adapted to the bottom space of the electroplating cell body 1, avoiding installation interference, reducing the weight and space occupation of the device, and resulting in a simple structure.
[0031] In summary, the electroplating pool 1000 for producing medical isotopes in the accelerator according to the embodiments of the present invention is an electroplating pool for preparing medical isotope actinium-225 in the process of accelerator irradiation of radium Ra-226. It can fix radium carbonate onto the target 4, and can realize the rapid installation and disassembly of the target 4. It has the advantages of convenient maintenance, reliable sealing and simple structure.
[0032] In some embodiments, the front plate portion 201 is provided with a front linear sliding hole 2011 extending frontally, the front end of the front linear sliding hole 2011 extending to the front end face of the pressure plate 2, and the front linear sliding hole 2011 allows the vertical rod of the front screw 5a to pass through; the rear plate portion 202 is provided with a rear linear sliding hole 2021 extending frontally, the rear linear sliding hole 2021 allows the vertical rod of the rear screw 5b to pass through, and the front end of the rear linear sliding hole 2021 is connected to a through hole 2023 through which the head of the rear screw 5b passes. Connected; the lower surface of the front piece 201 is provided with a front inclined surface 2012 corresponding to the front straight sliding hole 2011, and the rear piece 202 is provided with a rear inclined surface 2022 corresponding to the rear straight sliding hole 2021. The inclination directions of the front inclined surface 2012 and the rear inclined surface 2022 are the same. The thickness of the front piece 201 at the position corresponding to the front inclined surface 2012 gradually increases from front to back, and the thickness of the rear piece 202 at the position corresponding to the rear inclined surface 2022 gradually increases from front to back.
[0033] When it is necessary to remove the target part 4, simply pull the pressure plate backward so that the through hole 2023 reaches the position of the rear screw 5b, remove the pressure plate, and the target part 4 can be removed without removing the front screw 5a and the rear screw 5b.
[0034] When installing the target 4, the front screw 5a and the rear screw 5b can be screwed into the corresponding mounting holes at the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1. Place the target 4 at the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1 so that the target 4 covers the bottom end of the tank cavity 101. Then align the through hole 2023 of the pressure plate 2 with the rear screw 5b and make the rear screw 5b pass through the through hole 2023. At the same time, make the upper surface of the pressure plate 2 as close as possible to the lower surface of the target 4. Then push the pressure plate 2 forward so that the front screw 5a enters the front linear sliding hole 2011 and the rear screw 5b enters the rear linear sliding hole 2021 until the rear ends of the front linear sliding hole 2011 and the rear linear sliding hole 2021 move to the front screw 5a and the rear screw 5b. In this way, the target 4 can be installed quickly. It should be noted that the thickness of the front portion 201 on the pressure plate 2 gradually increases from front to back, and the thickness of the rear portion 202 also gradually increases from front to back. During the forward sliding of the pressure plate 2, the front screw 5a and the rear screw 5b interact with the front inclined surface 2012 and the rear inclined surface 2022 respectively, generating gradually increasing pressure on the pressure plate 2. This causes the pressure plate 2 to gradually press against the target 4, ultimately achieving pressure between the pressure plate 2 and the target 4. Therefore, the target 4 is easy to assemble and disassemble. This embodiment can also be adapted to the fixing requirements of target parts of different thicknesses, and the operation is simple.
[0035] In some embodiments, the tilt angle between the front tilt surface 2012 and the rear tilt surface 2022 is 3 to 5 degrees. A tilt angle of 3 to 5 degrees makes operation and clamping easier.
[0036] In some embodiments, there is one front linear sliding hole 2011 and one rear linear sliding hole 2021, and one front screw 5a and one rear screw 5b. This results in fewer parts, a simpler structure, and easier operation.
[0037] In some embodiments, the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1 is provided with a target receiving cavity 103 and a pressing slot 104, with the pressing slot 104 located below the target receiving cavity 103. This makes it more convenient to install the target 4 and the pressing plate 2. Target receiving cavity 103, pressing slot 104.
[0038] In some embodiments, such as Figures 6 to 8 As shown, the bottom of the electroplating tank body 1 is provided with an annular groove 102 with the opening facing downwards, and the sealing ring 3 is fixed in the annular groove 102. In this way, the sealing ring 3 can be prevented from shifting, and the sealing ring 3 can maintain a tight fit with the electroplating tank body 1, making installation more convenient.
[0039] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the annular groove 102 is a groove with a wider inner opening and a narrower outer opening. The sealing ring 3 is not easily dislodged from the groove with a wider inner opening and a narrower outer opening.
[0040] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8 As shown, the cross-section of the annular groove 102 is a right-angled trapezoid, which is convenient to process, and the sealing ring 3 is also easy to install and fix.
[0041] In some embodiments, the width of the target 4 in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the pressure plate 2 in the left-right direction. This design is reasonable and easy to operate. In some embodiments, such as... Figures 1 to 3 As shown, the tablet press 2 is equipped with an operating part 203. The operating part 203 makes it easier and less strenuous to manually push the tablet press 2.
[0042] In some embodiments, the operating part 203 is located behind the rear plate part 202. When the rear end of the front linear sliding hole 2011 and the rear end of the rear linear sliding hole 2021 are moved to the positions of the front screw 5a and the rear screw 5b respectively, the operating part 203 is located behind the electroplating tank.
[0043] In some embodiments, such as Figure 1 As shown, the top of the electroplating tank body 1 is provided with a removable cover 6, which facilitates the addition and discharge of electroplating solution.
[0044] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. An electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator, characterized in that, include: An electroplating tank body, wherein the electroplating tank body has a cavity that extends through the bottom of the electroplating tank body; A pressing sheet, comprising a front sheet portion and a rear sheet portion connected in the front-to-back direction, wherein the front sheet portion and the rear sheet portion are respectively detachably connected to the bottom of the electroplating tank body by front screws and rear screws distributed on opposite sides of the tank cavity, so that the target covering the bottom end of the tank cavity is clamped between the bottom of the electroplating tank body and the pressing sheet. A sealing ring surrounds the bottom periphery of the pool cavity and is sealed between the bottom of the electroplating pool body and the target.
2. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front plate has a front linear sliding hole extending forward and backward, the front end of which extends to the front end face of the pressure plate. The front linear sliding hole allows the vertical rod of the front screw to pass through. The rear plate has a rear linear sliding hole extending forward and backward, the rear linear sliding hole allowing the vertical rod of the rear screw to pass through. The front end of the rear linear sliding hole is connected to a through hole through which the head of the rear screw passes. The lower surface of the front plate has a front inclined surface corresponding to the front linear sliding hole, and the rear plate has a rear inclined surface corresponding to the rear linear sliding hole. The inclination directions of the front and rear inclined surfaces are the same. The thickness of the front plate gradually increases from front to back at the position corresponding to the front inclined surface, and the thickness of the rear plate gradually increases from front to back at the position corresponding to the rear inclined surface.
3. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, The inclination angle of the front inclined surface and the rear inclined surface is 3 to 5 degrees.
4. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 2, characterized in that, There is one front linear sliding hole and one rear linear sliding hole, and there is one front screw and one rear screw.
5. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the electroplating tank body is provided with a target receiving cavity and a pressing slot, and the pressing slot is located below the target receiving cavity.
6. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the electroplating tank body is provided with an annular groove with the opening facing downwards, and the sealing ring is fixed in the annular groove.
7. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 6, characterized in that, The annular groove is a groove that is wider inside and narrower at the opening.
8. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 7, characterized in that, The cross-section of the annular groove is a right-angled trapezoid.
9. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 5, characterized in that, The left-right width of the target is greater than the left-right width of the pressure plate.
10. The electroplating bath for producing medical isotopes using an accelerator according to claim 9, characterized in that, The tablet press is equipped with an operating section.