Method for manufacturing radioisotopes, system for manufacturing radioisotopes and control device

Abstract

Provided is a radioactive isotope production method, a radioactive isotope production system, and a control device, which can reduce the burden on a user. In the radioactive isotope production method, a radioactive isotope is automatically produced based on at least a beam current of a charged particle beam and a production amount of the radioactive isotope. Thus, the user only needs to input information related to the beam current and information related to the production amount, and the production of the radioactive isotope is automatically performed without the user performing a more complicated calculation. Thus, the burden on the user can be reduced.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-223730, filed on December 19, 2024. The entire contents of that Japanese application are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This invention relates to a method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, a system for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, and a control device for such manufacturing. Background Technology

[0003] Previously, a method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes was known (for example, see Patent Document 1). In a target device, accelerated particles are introduced from an accelerator such as a cyclotron and subjected to a nuclear reaction with the elements constituting the target, thereby generating a radioactive isotope.

[0004] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 61-246699

[0005] In this stage before irradiation begins in the radioactive isotope manufacturing system, the following mode is used: the user inputs the beam current of the charged particle beam and the irradiation time, and after the irradiation time has elapsed, the charged particle beam is turned off. In this mode, the user needs to calculate the irradiation time based on the beam current to be set to the required manufacturing quantity and input that irradiation time. However, in this mode, if the beam current decays during irradiation due to consumption by the ion source cathode filament, etc., the required cumulative beam current will not be reached even after the irradiation time has elapsed, resulting in the problem of not being able to obtain the estimated manufacturing quantity of radioactive isotopes.

[0006] Furthermore, sometimes the following mode is used: the user inputs the beam current and the cumulative beam current; if the cumulative beam current is reached, the irradiation of the charged particle beam is turned off. In this mode, the user needs to estimate the irradiation time based on the beam current set to the desired production quantity, and calculate and input the cumulative beam current (beam current × irradiation time). In this case, compared to the mode where the irradiation time is input, the impact of beam current decay during irradiation is smaller. However, in this mode, because the user must estimate the cumulative beam current, it is time-consuming and laborious for the user. In particular, depending on the radioactive material to be obtained, the coefficients of the calculation formula will change, making the calculation more complex. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention was made to solve this problem, and its purpose is to provide a method, system and control device for manufacturing radioactive isotopes that can reduce the burden on users.

[0008] The radioactive isotope manufacturing method of the present invention manufactures radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target with a beam of charged particles. The radioactive isotope manufacturing method automatically manufactures radioactive isotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be manufactured.

[0009] In the method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, the radioactive isotopes are automatically manufactured based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be manufactured. Therefore, users only need to input information related to the beam current and the manufacturing quantity; no more complex calculations are required, and the manufacturing of radioactive isotopes can be automated. This reduces the burden on users.

[0010] The target can be a solid target. Alternatively, the target can be a liquid target.

[0011] Information related to beam current and manufacturing quantity can be obtained through input via the user operation input section or by reading the identification information of the solid target. Alternatively, the type of target can be identified and information related to beam current and manufacturing quantity can be obtained through input via the user operation input section or by reading the identification information of the target container. The user can set the desired information through the operation input section. Information can be easily input by reading the identification information.

[0012] The system can automatically calculate the cumulative beam current from the start to the end of irradiation based on the beam current and manufacturing quantity. This reduces the burden on users in calculating the cumulative beam current.

[0013] The irradiation time of the charged particle beam can be automatically calculated based on the beam current and manufacturing quantity. This reduces the burden on users in calculating irradiation time.

[0014] It can display the automatically calculated irradiation time. In this way, users can know the irradiation time without having to calculate it themselves.

[0015] It is possible to obtain target-related input parameters for calculating the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the manufacturing quantity. At this point, calculations that take into account the input parameters required for the calculation can be performed.

[0016] Input parameters can be obtained through user operation of the input unit or by reading the recognition information of the target. By operating the input unit, the user can set the input parameters they have mastered. By reading the recognition information, the user can easily input the input parameters.

[0017] The irradiation time display can be updated even when the beam current changes during the irradiation process of a charged particle beam. In this case, the appropriate irradiation time can be displayed to the user in response to the changes in the beam current during irradiation.

[0018] The radioactive isotope manufacturing system of the present invention manufactures radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target with a beam of charged particles. The radioactive isotope manufacturing system automatically manufactures radioactive isotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be manufactured.

[0019] The control device involved in this invention controls a radioisotope manufacturing apparatus that manufactures radioisotopes by irradiating a target with a charged particle beam. The control device controls the radioisotope manufacturing apparatus to automatically manufacture radioisotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioisotopes to be manufactured.

[0020] Based on these radioisotope manufacturing systems and control devices, it is possible to achieve the same purpose and effect as the aforementioned radioisotope manufacturing methods.

[0021] Invention Effects

[0022] According to the present invention, a method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, a system for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, and a control device can be provided that can reduce the burden on users. Attached Figure Description

[0023] Figure 1 This is a schematic side view of the radioactive isotope manufacturing system involved in this embodiment.

[0024] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the target substrate and target container.

[0025] Figure 3 This is a block diagram showing the modular structure of a radioisotope manufacturing system.

[0026] Figure 4 This is a table showing an example of the various values ​​assigned to each nuclide.

[0027] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing content of the control device.

[0028] In the figure: 10-target substrate (target, solid target), 20-input unit, 50-control device, 100-radioactive isotope manufacturing system. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Figure 1This is a schematic side view of a radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100. As shown, the radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100 includes a radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus 150 and a control device 50. The radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100 is a system that manufactures radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target substrate 10 (target, solid target) with a charged particle beam B. The radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus 150 includes a target device 101 and a beam tube 201 (irradiation unit) of an accelerator 200. The direction in which the charged particle beam B travels is referred to as the front-rear direction D1. In the front-rear direction D1, the side facing the accelerator 200 is designated as the "front" side, and the opposite side as the "rear" side. The horizontal direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction D1 is referred to as the transverse direction D2.

[0030] The target device 101 is a device for holding the target substrate 10. For example... Figure 2 As shown in (a), the target substrate 10 is configured, for example, as an elongated plate, and a metal layer 11 made of target material is formed on the surface of the target substrate 10. The target substrate 10 can correspond to various nuclides. Examples of metal layers for the target substrate 10 include Ni, Y, Zn, and Bi. Figure 1 As shown, in the manufacturing process of the radioactive isotope, the target substrate 10 is disposed at the placement position PG1 of the target device 101, and the target device 101 is located from... Figure 1 The target device 101 is moved forward (to the left of the paper) in the forward-backward direction D1. Then, the front end of the target device 101 is inserted into the beam tube 201 of the accelerator 200, such that the front end face of the target device 101 presses against the receiving face of the beam tube 201, thereby mounting the target device 101 onto the beam tube 201 of the accelerator 200. The target substrate 10 is kept in the irradiation direction relative to the charged particle beam B in the target device 101. In this state, the charged particle beam B is irradiated from the accelerator 200 into the target substrate 10 inside the target device 101. In the portion irradiated by the charged particle beam B, trace amounts of radioactive isotopes are generated through nuclear reactions in the target material.

[0031] Alternatively, the target substrate 10 can be a dissolving metal target, which can dissolve the target material at the dissolution port (not shown) after irradiation by the charged particle beam B. Then, after the dissolution action, the liquid is transported to a refining apparatus (not shown) in a hot chamber for subsequent processes.

[0032] The target device 101 is cylindrical. The target device 101 includes a main body 2, a front surface flange 3 disposed in front of the main body 2 (upstream of the charged particle beam B), and an intermediate retainer 4 disposed between the main body 2 and the front surface flange 3. The main body 2, the intermediate retainer 4, and the front surface flange 3 are divided in the front-rear direction D1. The joint between the main body 2 and the intermediate retainer 4, and the joint between the intermediate retainer 4 and the front surface flange 3, exist along vertical planes that intersect at an angle relative to the front-rear direction D1.

[0033] Next, refer to Figure 3 The modular structure of the radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100 is described below. Figure 3 As shown, the radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100 includes the aforementioned radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus 150, control device 50, input unit 20, and display unit 30.

[0034] The input unit 20 is where the user inputs various information into the control device 50. The input unit 20 includes an operation unit 21 and a reading unit 22. The operation unit 21 is for inputting information through user operation. The operation unit 21 may include, for example, a keyboard, mouse, switch, or touch panel. The reading unit 22 is for inputting information by reading and recognizing the identification information of the target substrate 10. The identification information of the target substrate 10 may be represented by, for example, a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), character information, or mechanical information (Braille or grooves, etc.). There is no particular limitation on the method of assigning identification information; for example, an identification information display unit 12 may be provided on the back of the target substrate 10 (see reference). Figure 2 (b)). The input unit 20 sends the information input by the user to the control device 50. Additionally, the reading unit 22 can be located at a position where the user reads the identification information by presenting the target substrate 10, or it can be located when the target substrate 10 is mounted on the target device 101 (see reference 100). Figure 1 The position is automatically read when ().

[0035] Display unit 30 is a part that displays various information to the user. Display unit 30 includes, for example, a monitor, a touch panel, a mobile terminal, etc.

[0036] The control device 50 is a device for controlling the radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150. The control device 50 may be, for example, a computer system. The computer system physically includes, for example, a processor (computing circuitry), memory, a communication interface, and a data storage unit. The memory may include, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The data storage unit may include, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The control device 50 may be, for example, a microcontroller or an integrated circuit.

[0037] The control device 50 performs various computational processes, for example, by having the CPU execute a program stored in memory. Through this processing, the control device 50 includes... Figure 3The functional elements shown are as follows: The control device 50 includes an information acquisition unit 51, a calculation unit 52, an action control unit 53, a monitoring unit 54, and a storage unit 56. The control device 50 controls the radioactive isotope manufacturing device 150 to automatically manufacture radioactive isotopes, based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes manufactured. Thus, the radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100 can automatically manufacture radioactive isotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes manufactured. Here, "automatic manufacturing of radioactive isotopes" means that, when the user inputs the required information, the irradiation can be completed without requiring any new input or operation from the start of the indicated irradiation until the end of the irradiation, regardless of changes in the beam current. For example, requiring the user to input the irradiation time or accumulated beam current after initial input does not constitute automatic manufacturing. Similarly, inserting a process where the user recalculates or re-enters information when the beam current changes does not constitute automatic manufacturing.

[0038] The information acquisition unit 51 acquires various types of information. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires information input from the input unit 20. Furthermore, the information acquisition unit 51 acquires information pre-stored in the storage unit 56. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires at least information related to the beam current of the charged particle beam and information related to the production quantity of the radioactive isotope. Furthermore, the information related to the beam current of the charged particle beam can be a value directly representing the required beam current, or information that can estimate the required beam current. For example, since the required beam current is specified according to the nuclide, the information acquisition unit 51 can acquire nuclide information as information related to the beam current. The information related to the production quantity can be a value directly representing the production quantity, or a method that can estimate the production quantity. For example, the production quantity can be estimated by acquiring input grading information by classifying the production quantity in stages. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires information related to the beam current and information related to the production quantity through input made by the user operating the operation unit 21 of the input unit 20, or through input made by reading the identification information of the identification target substrate 10 by the reading unit 22. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires the value of the beam current and the value of the manufacturing quantity based on the input information.

[0039] The information acquisition unit 51 can acquire input parameters related to the target substrate 10 for calculating the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the manufacturing quantity. The information acquisition unit 51 can acquire input parameters through input performed by the operation unit 21 of the user operation input unit 20, or through input performed by the reading unit 22 reading identification information of the target substrate 10. Examples of input parameters include, for instance, the estimated physical yield (Y) and the attenuation constant (λ) (see also...). Figure 4Input parameters can be input through the input unit 20, or they can be read from a database stored in the storage unit 56 based on the input information. For example, the information acquisition unit 51 can retrieve the preset estimated physical yield (Y) and decay constant (λ) from the database by querying the nuclide information input through the input unit 20 and the database. In addition, among the information input through the input unit 20, all information can be input through the operation of the operation unit 21, all information can be input through the reading and identification information read by the reading unit 22, or some information can be input through operation and other information can be input through the reading and identification information read by the reading unit 22.

[0040] The calculation unit 52 performs various calculations in the control device 50. The calculation unit 52 can automatically calculate the cumulative beam current from the start to the end of irradiation based on the beam current and the manufacturing quantity. Furthermore, the calculation unit 52 can automatically calculate the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the beam current and the manufacturing quantity.

[0041] As an example of the formula used by the calculation unit 52 in performing calculations, the following formula (1) can be used. As described above, "A: nuclear reaction production amount" is set according to the production amount input by the user, and "I: beam current" is set according to the beam current input by the user. "Y: estimated physical yield" and "λ: decay constant" are set as input parameters. Therefore, the calculation unit 52 can calculate "t: irradiation time" by substituting these values ​​into formula (1). Figure 4 This is a table showing an example of the target material and values ​​for each nuclide. "Y: Estimated Physical Yield" and "λ: Attenuation Constant" are values ​​set for the nuclide. "I: Beam Current" is a typical beam current used for the nuclide. "A: Nuclear Reaction Generation" is a user-defined value. "t: Irradiation Time" is the irradiation time calculated based on these values.

[0042] A[MBq]=Y×I×(1-exp(-λt)) / λ……(1)

[0043] A: Nuclear reaction yield [MBq]

[0044] Y: Estimated physical product [MBq / μAh]

[0045] I: Beam current [μA]

[0046] t: Irradiation time [hour]

[0047] λ: Decay constant [hour] -1 ]

[0048] Furthermore, the calculation unit 52 calculates the display content shown by the display unit 30. For example, the display unit 30 displays the automatically calculated irradiation time as a result of the calculation by the calculation unit 52. The display unit 30 can also display set values ​​such as beam current, manufacturing quantity, and input parameters.

[0049] The motion control unit 53 controls the operation of the radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150. The motion control unit 53 controls the ON / OFF switching of the charged particle beam irradiated by the accelerator 200 and controls the beam current or irradiation time to the set values. The motion control unit 53 also controls the operation of the target device 101. The monitoring unit 54 monitors the operation status of the radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150. The monitoring unit 54 monitors, for example, the beam current of the accelerator 200. For example, variations in the beam current may sometimes occur due to fluctuations in the beam current value caused by the discharge of the ion source. Alternatively, variations in the beam current may sometimes occur due to attenuation caused by the consumption of the ion source cathode filament. If the beam current changes during the irradiation of the charged particle beam, the calculation unit 52 updates the display of the irradiation time.

[0050] Next, refer to Figure 5 An example of the processing content based on the control device 50 will be explained. Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing content of the control device 50. First, as... Figure 5 As shown, the information acquisition unit 51 acquires various information (step S100). At this time, the user inputs the required information through the input unit 20. Next, the calculation unit 52 calculates the irradiation time based on the information acquired in S100, and the irradiation time is displayed by the display unit 30 (step S110). Furthermore, the calculation unit 52 calculates the cumulative beam current based on the irradiation time. Next, the motion control unit 53 controls the radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus 150 to start the irradiation of the charged particle beam (step S120). In addition, the motion control unit 53 can display a start confirmation to the user, or it can automatically start irradiation after the user performs the start operation.

[0051] The monitoring unit 54 monitors the beam current during irradiation and determines whether the current value of the beam current has changed (step S130). If a change is determined in S130, the calculation unit 52 recalculates the irradiation time and updates the display content on the display unit 30 (step S140). If no change is determined in S130, S140 is skipped, and the process moves to the next step. The monitoring unit 54 determines whether the irradiation for the target irradiation time has been completed (S150). If irradiation is not completed in S150, the process starts again from S130. If irradiation is completed in S150, the action control unit 53 controls the radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus 150 to end the irradiation of the charged particle beam (step S160). The display unit 30 notifies the user that irradiation has ended by displaying the irradiation completion information.

[0052] The effects of the radioactive isotope manufacturing method, the radioactive isotope manufacturing system 100, and the control device 50 described above will be explained.

[0053] In the method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, the radioactive isotopes are automatically manufactured based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be manufactured. Therefore, users only need to input information related to the beam current and the manufacturing quantity; no more complex calculations are required, and the manufacturing of radioactive isotopes can be automated. This reduces the burden on users.

[0054] Information related to beam current and manufacturing quantity can be obtained through input via the user operation input unit 20 or by reading the identification information of the target substrate 10. The user can set desired information by operating the input unit 20. The user can easily input information by reading the identification information.

[0055] The system can automatically calculate the cumulative beam current from the start to the end of irradiation based on the beam current and manufacturing quantity. This reduces the burden on users in calculating the cumulative beam current.

[0056] The irradiation time of the charged particle beam can be automatically calculated based on the beam current and manufacturing quantity. This reduces the burden on users in calculating irradiation time.

[0057] It can display the automatically calculated irradiation time. In this way, users can know the irradiation time without having to calculate it themselves.

[0058] Input parameters related to the target substrate can be obtained for calculating the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the manufacturing quantity. At this time, calculations that take into account the input parameters required for the calculation can be performed.

[0059] Input parameters can be obtained through user operation of the input unit 20 or by reading the identification information of the target substrate 10. By operating the input unit, the user can set the input parameters they have mastered. By reading the identification information, the user can easily input the input parameters.

[0060] The system can update the displayed irradiation time even when the beam current changes during the irradiation process of a charged particle beam. In this case, it can display an appropriate irradiation time to the user in response to the changes in the beam current during irradiation.

[0061] The radioisotope manufacturing system 100 of this embodiment manufactures radioisotopes by irradiating a target substrate 10 with a charged particle beam. The radioisotope manufacturing system 100 automatically manufactures radioisotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioisotopes to be manufactured.

[0062] The control device 50 involved in this embodiment controls a radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150 that manufactures radioisotopes by irradiating a target substrate 10 with a charged particle beam. The control device 50 controls the radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150 to automatically manufacture radioisotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioisotopes manufactured.

[0063] Based on these radioisotope manufacturing systems 100 and control devices 50, the same purpose and effects as the aforementioned radioisotope manufacturing methods can be achieved.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0065] For example, the structure of a radioactive isotope manufacturing system is not limited to Figure 1 The structure shown can be appropriately modified without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the scope of the processing is not limited to... Figure 5 The content shown can be changed as appropriate.

[0066] In the above embodiments, a target substrate of a solid target was exemplified as the target. Instead, a liquid target can be used as the target. When using a liquid target, a known liquid target apparatus can be used as the radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus. When identification information is assigned to the liquid target, the liquid target is contained in, for example... Figure 2 In the target container 300 shown in (c), an identification information display unit 12 can be provided on the target container 300. At this time, the radioactive isotope manufacturing system can identify the type of target and obtain information related to the beam current and the manufacturing quantity by inputting through the user operation input unit or by reading the identification information of the target container 300.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a radioactive isotope, wherein the radioactive isotope is manufactured by irradiating a target with a beam of charged particles, wherein, The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes automatically manufactures the radioactive isotopes based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be manufactured.

2. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 1, wherein, The target is a solid target.

3. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 1, wherein, The target is a liquid target.

4. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 2, wherein, Information related to the beam current and information related to the manufacturing quantity can be obtained through input made by the user operating input unit or by reading the identification information of the solid target.

5. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 3, wherein, The type of target is identified by input through user operation input or by reading identification information of the target container, and information related to the beam current and the manufacturing quantity is obtained.

6. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 1, wherein, Based on the beam current and the manufacturing quantity, the cumulative beam current from the start of irradiation to the end of irradiation is automatically calculated.

7. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 1, wherein, The irradiation time of the charged particle beam is automatically calculated based on the beam current and the manufacturing quantity.

8. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 7, wherein, The automatically calculated irradiation time is displayed.

9. The method for manufacturing radioactive isotopes according to claim 1, wherein, Obtain target-related input parameters for calculating the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the manufacturing quantity.

10. The method for manufacturing a radioactive isotope according to claim 9, wherein, The input parameters are obtained through input made by the user operating the input unit or by reading the identification information of the target.

11. The method for manufacturing a radioactive isotope according to claim 8, wherein, If the beam current changes during the irradiation of the charged particle beam, the irradiation time display is updated.

12. A system for manufacturing radioactive isotopes, wherein radioactive isotopes are manufactured by irradiating a target with a beam of charged particles, wherein, The radioactive isotope manufacturing system automatically manufactures the radioactive isotope based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotope to be manufactured.

13. A control device for controlling a radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus that manufactures a radioactive isotope by irradiating a target with a beam of charged particles, wherein... The radioactive isotope manufacturing apparatus is controlled to automatically manufacture the radioactive isotope, based at least on the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotope manufactured.

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