Method for producing radioactive isotopes, radioactive isotope production system, and control device

Abstract

The present invention provides a method for producing radioactive isotopes, a radioactive isotope production system, and a control device that can reduce the burden on users. [Solution] The radioactive isotope production method automatically produces radioactive isotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotope to be produced. As a result, the user only needs to input information on the beam current and the amount to be produced, and the radioactive isotope will be produced automatically without having to perform any further complex calculations. This reduces the burden on the user.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a radioisotope, a radioisotope production system, and a control device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a method for producing a radioisotope has been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In a target device, accelerated particles are introduced from an accelerator such as a cyclotron and caused to undergo a nuclear reaction with an element constituting a target, thereby generating a radioisotope.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Here, in the stage before starting irradiation in a radioisotope production system, a mode has been adopted in which a user inputs the beam current and irradiation time of a charged particle beam, and the charged particle beam is turned off when the irradiation time elapses. In such a mode, the user needs to estimate the irradiation time based on the required production amount and the beam current to be set, and input the irradiation time. However, in this mode, if the beam current decays due to consumption of the filament of the ion source or the like during irradiation, the required integrated beam current is not irradiated even when the irradiation time elapses, and there is a problem that a radioisotope with the estimated production amount cannot be obtained.

[0005] In some cases, a mode is employed in which the user inputs the beam current and the integrated beam current, and the irradiation of charged particle beams is turned off when the integrated beam current is reached. In this mode, the user must calculate the irradiation time based on the required production amount and the beam current they intend to set, and input the integrated beam current (beam current × irradiation time). In this case, the effect of beam current decay during irradiation is smaller than in the mode in which the irradiation time is input. However, this mode has the problem of being time-consuming for the user because the user has to estimate the integrated beam current. In particular, the coefficients in the calculation formula may change depending on the radioactive material to be obtained, which can make the calculation complicated.

[0006] This invention was made to solve these problems and aims to provide a method for producing radioactive isotopes, a radioactive isotope production system, and a control device that can reduce the burden on users. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a method for producing radioactive isotopes, which involves irradiating a target with a charged particle beam to produce radioactive isotopes, and which automatically produces radioactive isotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be produced.

[0008] The radioactive isotope production method automatically manufactures radioactive isotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotope to be produced. This means that users only need to input information about the beam current and the production amount, and the radioactive isotope will be produced automatically without them having to perform any further complex calculations. This reduces the burden on the user.

[0009] The target may be a solid target, or it may be a liquid target.

[0010] Information regarding beam current and production volume may be obtained by user input through operation of an input unit or by reading identification information that identifies a solid target. Alternatively, the type of target may be identified and information regarding beam current and production volume may be obtained by user input through operation of an input unit or by reading identification information that identifies a target container. By operating the input unit, the user can set the desired information. By having the identification information read, the user can easily input information.

[0011] The integrated beam current from the start to the end of irradiation may be automatically calculated based on the beam current and the amount produced. In this case, the burden on the user to calculate the integrated beam current can be reduced.

[0012] The irradiation time for charged particle beams may be automatically calculated based on the beam current and the amount produced. In this case, the burden on the user to calculate the irradiation time can be reduced.

[0013] The automatically calculated irradiation time may be displayed. In this case, the user can know the irradiation time without having to perform the calculation themselves.

[0014] Input parameters for the target can be obtained to calculate the irradiation time of charged particle beams based on the production volume. In this case, calculations that take into account the input parameters required for the calculation become possible.

[0015] Input parameters may be obtained either by the user operating an input unit or by reading identification information that identifies the target. By operating the input unit, the user can set the input parameters they are aware of. By having the system read identification information, the user can easily input the input parameters.

[0016] When the beam current fluctuates during the irradiation of the charged particle beam, the display content of the irradiation time may be updated. In this case, an appropriate irradiation time can be displayed to the user in response to the fluctuation of the beam current during irradiation.

[0017] The radioisotope production system according to the present invention is a radioisotope production system that produces radioisotopes by irradiating a target with a charged particle beam, and automatically produces radioisotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the production amount of the radioisotope.

[0018] The control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls a radioisotope production device that produces radioisotopes by irradiating a target with a charged particle beam, and controls the radioisotope production device to automatically produce radioisotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the production amount of the radioisotope.

[0019] According to these radioisotope production systems and control devices, the same effects and functions as those of the above-described radioisotope production method can be obtained.

Effects of the Invention

[0020] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a radioisotope production method, a radioisotope production system, and a control device that can reduce the burden on the user.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a side view schematically showing the radioisotope production system according to the present embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a schematic view showing a target substrate and a target container. [Figure 3] It is a block diagram showing the block configuration of the radioisotope production system. [Figure 4] It is a table showing an example of various values set for each nuclide. [Figure 5]It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing content of the control device.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0022] The radioactive isotope production system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described while referring to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view schematically showing the radioactive isotope production system 100. As shown in the figure, the radioactive isotope production system 100 includes a radioactive isotope production device 150 and a control device 50. The radioactive isotope production system 100 is a system for producing radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target substrate 10 (target, solid target) with a charged particle beam B. The radioactive isotope production device 150 includes a target device 101 and a manifold 201 (irradiation unit) of an accelerator 200. Note that 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 of the accelerator 200 is defined as the "front" side, and the opposite side is defined as the "rear" side. The horizontal direction orthogonal to the front-rear direction D1 is referred to as the lateral direction D2.

[0023] The target device 101 is a device that holds the target substrate 10. As shown in Figure 2(a), the target substrate 10 is configured, for example, in the shape of an oval disc, and a metal layer 11 made of the target material is formed on the surface of the target substrate 10. The target substrate 10 may correspond to multiple types of nuclides. Examples of the metal layer of the target substrate 10 include Ni, Y, Zn, and Bi. As shown in Figure 1, in the radioactive isotope manufacturing process, the target substrate 10 is set at the installation position PG1 of the target device 101, and the target device 101 is moved from the state in Figure 1 to the front side (left side of the paper) in the front-to-back direction D1. Then, the front end of the target device 101 is inserted into the manifold 201 of the accelerator 200, and the target device 101 is mounted on the manifold 201 of the accelerator 200 so that the front end surface of the target device 101 is pressed against the receiving surface of the manifold 201. The target substrate 10 is held in the target device 101 with respect to the irradiation direction of the charged particle beam B. In this state, the target substrate 10 in the target device 101 is irradiated with charged particle beam B from the accelerator 200. Trace amounts of radioactive isotopes are generated in the area irradiated with charged particle beam B by nuclear reactions in the target material.

[0024] The target substrate 10 may be a melting metal target, and after irradiation with charged particle beam B, the target material can be melted in a melting port (not shown). After the melting operation, the material is transferred to a hot cell purification device (not shown) in the subsequent process.

[0025] The target device 101 has a cylindrical shape. The target device 101 comprises a main body 2, a front flange 3 provided in front of the main body 2 (upstream of the charged particle beam B), and an intermediate holder 4 provided between the main body 2 and the front flange 3. The main body 2, the intermediate holder 4, and the front flange 3 are divided in the front-rear direction D1. The joint between the main body 2 and the intermediate holder 4, and the joint between the intermediate holder 4 and the front flange 3, are located along a vertical plane that intersects the front-rear direction D1 at an angle.

[0026] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the block configuration of the radioactive isotope production system 100 will be described. As shown in Figure 3, the radioactive isotope production system 100 comprises the radioactive isotope production apparatus 150 and control device 50 described above, an input unit 20, and a display unit 30.

[0027] The input unit 20 is the part where the user inputs various information to the control device 50. The input unit 20 comprises an operation unit 21 and a reading unit 22. The operation unit 21 is the part where the user inputs information by operating it. The operation unit 21 includes, for example, a keyboard, mouse, switch, touch panel, etc. The reading unit 22 is the part that inputs information by reading identification information that identifies the target board 10. The identification information of the target board 10 is indicated by, for example, a barcode, QR code (registered trademark), character information, mechanical information (braille, grooves, etc.). The manner in which the identification information is provided is not particularly limited, but for example, an identification information display unit 12 may be provided on the back surface of the target board 10 (see Figure 2(b)). The input unit 20 transmits the information input by the user to the control device 50. The reading unit 22 may be provided in a position where the user can read the identification information of the target board 10 by holding it over the board, or it may be provided in a position where it is automatically read when the target board 10 is set in the target device 101 (see Figure 1).

[0028] The display unit 30 is the part that displays various information to the user. The display unit 30 includes, for example, a monitor, a touch panel, a mobile terminal, etc.

[0029] The control device 50 is a device that controls the radioisotope production apparatus 150. The control device 50 is composed of, for example, a computer system. The computer system physically includes, for example, a processor (arithmetic circuit), memory, a communication interface, and a data storage unit. The memory includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). The data storage unit includes, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive). The control device 50 may be composed of, for example, a microcontroller or an integrated circuit.

[0030] The control device 50 performs various calculations, for example, by executing a program stored in memory on the CPU. This process enables the control device 50 to include the functional elements shown in Figure 3. Specifically, the control device 50 includes an information acquisition unit 51, a calculation unit 52, an operation control unit 53, a monitoring unit 54, and a storage unit 56. The control device 50 controls the radioisotope production apparatus 150 to automatically produce radioisotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioisotopes produced. This enables the radioisotope production system 100 to automatically produce radioisotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioisotopes produced. Here, "automatically producing radioisotopes" means that, from the time the user inputs the necessary information and instructs the start of irradiation until the irradiation is completed, the user can terminate the irradiation without requiring any further input or operation, regardless of fluctuations in the beam current. For example, systems that require the user to input irradiation time or the integrated beam current after user input do not constitute automatic production. Alternatively, processes that involve the user recalculating or re-entering data when the beam current fluctuates do not qualify as automated manufacturing.

[0031] The information acquisition unit 51 acquires various types of information. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires information input by the input unit 20. The information acquisition unit 51 also acquires information pre-stored in the storage unit 56. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires at least information regarding the beam current of charged particle beams and information regarding the production amount of radioactive isotopes. The information regarding the beam current of charged particle beams may be a value that directly indicates the required beam current, or it may be information that allows the required beam current to be estimated. For example, since the required beam current is determined by the nuclide, the information acquisition unit 51 may acquire nuclide information as beam information. The information regarding production amount may be a value that directly indicates the production amount, or it may be a method that allows the production amount to be estimated. For example, the production amount may be estimated by acquiring input rank information, such as by ranking the production amount in stages. The information acquisition unit 51 may acquire information regarding beam current and information regarding production amount by input by the user operating the operation unit 21 of the input unit 20, or by input by reading identification information that identifies the target substrate 10 with the reading unit 22. The information acquisition unit 51 acquires the beam current value and the production quantity value based on the input information.

[0032] The information acquisition unit 51 may acquire input parameters related to the target substrate 10 for calculating the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the production amount. The information acquisition unit 51 may acquire input parameters by input by the user operating the operation unit 21 of the input unit 20, or by input by reading identification information that identifies the target substrate 10 from the reading unit 22. Examples of input parameters include the estimated physical yield (Y) and the decay constant (λ) (see also Figure 4). The input parameters may be input in the input unit 20, or they may be read from a database stored in the storage unit 56 based on the input information. For example, the information acquisition unit 51 may read the pre-set estimated physical yield (Y) and decay constant (λ) from the database by querying the database with the nuclide information input in the input unit 20. Furthermore, of the information input into the input unit 20, all information may be input by operating the operation unit 21, all information may be input by reading the identification information with the reading unit 22, or some information may be input by operation and some other information may be input by reading the identification information with the reading unit 22.

[0033] The calculation unit 52 performs various calculations in the control device 50. The calculation unit 52 may automatically calculate the integrated beam current from the start to the end of irradiation based on the beam current and the amount produced. The calculation unit 52 may also automatically calculate the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the beam current and the amount produced.

[0034] As an example of an expression used by the calculation unit 52 when performing calculations, the following equation (1) may be used. As described above, "A: Nuclear reaction product amount" is set by the production amount entered by the user, and "I: Beam current" is set by the beam current entered by the user. "Y: Estimated physical yield" and "λ: Attenuation constant" are set as input parameters. Therefore, the calculation unit 52 can calculate "t: Irradiation time" by substituting these values ​​into equation (1). Figure 4 is a table showing an example of the target material set for each nuclide and the values ​​for each nuclide. Of these, "Y: Estimated physical yield" and "λ: Attenuation constant" are values ​​set for each nuclide. "I: Beam current" is a typical beam current used for each nuclide. "A: Nuclear reaction product amount" is a value set by the user. "t: Irradiation time" is the irradiation time calculated using these values. A [MBq] = Y × I × (1-exp(-λt)) / λ …(1) A: Nuclear reaction product amount [MBq] Y: Estimated physical yield [MBq / uAh] I: Beam current [μA] t: Irradiation time [hour] λ: damping constant [hour -1 ]

[0035] Furthermore, the calculation unit 52 calculates the display content to be shown on the display unit 30. For example, the display unit 30 displays the irradiation time, which is automatically calculated as a result of the calculation by the calculation unit 52. The display unit 30 may also display set values ​​such as beam current, production amount, and input parameters.

[0036] The operation control unit 53 controls the operation of the radioisotope production apparatus 150. The operation control unit 53 controls the ON / OFF of the charged particle beam irradiation by the accelerator 200 and controls the beam current and irradiation time to set values. The operation control unit 53 also controls the operation of the target device 101. The monitoring unit 54 monitors the operating status of the radioisotope production apparatus 150. The monitoring unit 54 monitors, for example, the beam current of the accelerator 200. For example, fluctuations in the beam current may occur due to fluctuations in the beam current value due to discharge of the ion source. Alternatively, fluctuations in the beam current may occur due to attenuation due to wear of the ion source filament. The calculation unit 52 updates the displayed irradiation time if the beam current fluctuates during charged particle beam irradiation.

[0037] Next, an example of the processing performed by the control device 50 will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the control device 50. First, as shown in Figure 5, the information acquisition unit 51 acquires various information (step S100). At this time, the user inputs the necessary information using the input unit 20. Next, the calculation unit 52 calculates the irradiation time based on the information acquired in S100 and displays the irradiation time on the display unit 30 (step S110). The calculation unit 52 also calculates the integrated beam current based on the irradiation time. Next, the operation control unit 53 controls the radioactive isotope production apparatus 150 to start irradiation with charged particle beams (step S120). The operation control unit 53 may display a prompt to the user to initiate irradiation, and the user may perform the start operation, or the irradiation may start automatically.

[0038] The monitoring unit 54 monitors the beam current during irradiation and determines whether or not there is a fluctuation in the beam current value (step S130). If a fluctuation 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 fluctuation is determined in S130, the process proceeds to the next step without performing S140. The monitoring unit 54 determines whether or not the irradiation for the target irradiation time has been completed (S150). If it is determined in S150 that the irradiation has not been completed, the process starts again from S130. If it is determined in S150 that the irradiation has been completed, the operation control unit 53 controls the radioactive isotope production device 150 to terminate the charged particle beam irradiation (step S160). The display unit 30 notifies the user of the end of irradiation by displaying a message indicating the end of irradiation.

[0039] The effects of the radioactive isotope production method, radioactive isotope production system 100, and control device 50 described above will now be explained.

[0040] The radioactive isotope production method automatically manufactures radioactive isotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotope to be produced. This means that users only need to input information about the beam current and the production amount, and the radioactive isotope will be produced automatically without them having to perform any further complex calculations. This reduces the burden on the user.

[0041] Information regarding beam current and manufacturing quantity may be obtained by input through user operation of the input unit 20, or by reading identification information that identifies the target substrate 10. By operating the input unit 20, the user can set the desired information. By having the identification information read, the user can easily input information.

[0042] The integrated beam current from the start to the end of irradiation may be automatically calculated based on the beam current and the amount produced. In this case, the burden on the user to calculate the integrated beam current can be reduced.

[0043] The irradiation time for charged particle beams may be automatically calculated based on the beam current and the amount produced. In this case, the burden on the user to calculate the irradiation time can be reduced.

[0044] The automatically calculated irradiation time may be displayed. In this case, the user can know the irradiation time without having to perform the calculation themselves.

[0045] Input parameters for the target substrate can be obtained to calculate the irradiation time of charged particle beams based on the production volume. In this case, calculations that take into account the input parameters required for the calculation become possible.

[0046] Input parameters may be obtained by the user operating the input unit 20, or by reading identification information that identifies the target board 10. By operating the input unit, the user can set the input parameters they are familiar with. By having the user read the identification information, the user can easily input the input parameters.

[0047] If the beam current fluctuates during irradiation with a charged particle beam, the displayed irradiation time may be updated. In this case, the appropriate irradiation time can be displayed to the user in accordance with the fluctuations in the beam current during irradiation.

[0048] The radioactive isotope production system 100 according to this embodiment is a radioactive isotope production system 100 that produces radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target substrate 10 with a charged particle beam, and automatically produces radioactive isotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioactive isotopes to be produced.

[0049] The control device 50 according to this embodiment controls a radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150 that produces radioisotopes by irradiating a target substrate 10 with a charged particle beam, and controls the radioisotope manufacturing apparatus 150 to automatically produce radioisotopes based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of radioisotopes produced.

[0050] These radioactive isotope production systems 100 and control devices 50 can be used to obtain the same effects and benefits as the radioactive isotope production methods described above.

[0051] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above.

[0052] For example, the configuration of the radioisotope production system is not limited to that shown in Figure 1, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the invention. Similarly, the processing content is not limited to that shown in Figure 5, and can be modified as appropriate.

[0053] In the above-described embodiment, a target substrate, which is a solid target, was used as an example of a target. Alternatively, a liquid target may be used as the target. If a liquid target is used, a known apparatus for liquid targets may be used as the radioactive isotope production apparatus. If identification information is to be assigned to the liquid target, the liquid target may be housed in a target container 300 as shown in Figure 2(c), and an identification information display unit 12 may be provided on the target container 300. In this case, the radioactive isotope production system may identify the type of target and obtain information regarding the beam current and production amount by input from the user operating an input unit or by reading identification information that identifies the target container 300. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 10...Target substrate (target, solid target), 20...Input unit, 50...Control device, 100...Radioactive isotope production system.

Claims

1. A method for producing radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target with a charged particle beam, A method for producing a radioactive isotope, which automatically produces the radioactive isotope based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of the radioactive isotope produced.

2. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 1, wherein the target is a solid target.

3. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 1, wherein the target is a liquid target.

4. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 2, wherein information relating to the beam current and information relating to the production amount are obtained by input by a user operating an input unit, or by input by reading identification information that identifies the solid target.

5. A method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 3, wherein the type of target is identified, and information regarding the beam current and information regarding the production amount are obtained by input by the user operating an input unit or by reading identification information that identifies a target container.

6. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 1, wherein the integrated beam current from the start of irradiation to the end of irradiation is automatically calculated based on the beam current and the amount produced.

7. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 1, wherein the irradiation time of the charged particle beam is automatically calculated based on the beam current and the amount produced.

8. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 4, wherein the irradiation time calculated automatically is displayed.

9. A method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 1, comprising obtaining input parameters relating to the target for calculating the irradiation time of the charged particle beam based on the production volume.

10. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 6, wherein the input parameters are obtained by input by a user operating an input unit, or by input by reading identification information that identifies the target.

11. The method for producing a radioactive isotope according to claim 5, wherein the display content of the irradiation time is updated when the beam current fluctuates during irradiation with the charged particle beam.

12. A radioisotope production system that produces radioisotopes by irradiating a target with charged particle beams, A radioisotope production system that automatically produces the radioisotope based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of the radioisotope produced.

13. A control device for controlling a radioactive isotope production apparatus that produces radioactive isotopes by irradiating a target with a charged particle beam, A control device that controls the radioisotope production apparatus to automatically produce the radioisotope based on at least the beam current of the charged particle beam and the amount of the radioisotope produced.

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