Velocity Filter Isotope Separation for High-Purity Lu-177

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current isotope separation systems struggle to achieve high mass resolution and purity when separating isotopes with similar masses, such as Lu-177 from other lutetium isotopes, and lack the ability to precisely control isotope collection rates, making them impractical for high-volume production of high-specific activity Lu-177 for medical and research applications.

Innovation Solution

An isotope separation system using a velocity filter with a modular design that incorporates electrodes with controlled electric and magnetic field strengths for precise separation of target isotopes, allowing for high-resolution separation and controlled collection rates, enabling the production of high-specific activity Lu-177.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If chemical separation processes are used to separate Lu-177 from Yb-176, then separation capability is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase significantly at production scale

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveisotope separation purityVSAvoidseparation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex chemical separation processes with a physical mass separation system using electromagnetic fields. The system employs a source module to vaporize and ionize target material, then uses electric and magnetic fields to separate ions based on their mass-to-charge ratio, directly producing high-purity Lu-177 without chemical processing steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If highly enriched Yb-176 is used for indirect Lu-177 production, then high specific activity product is achieved, but manufacturing difficulty and cost increase due to limited availability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespecific activityVSAvoidstarting material availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental production parameter from using highly enriched Yb-176 (indirect route) to using natural or enriched Lu-176 (direct route). The mass separation system then selectively isolates Lu-177 from the irradiated Lu-176 target, achieving high specific activity while eliminating the need for difficult-to-obtain highly enriched Yb-176 starting material.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If conventional isotope separation systems are used, then separation capability is provided, but mass resolution and purity are insufficient for separating isotopes with similar masses like Lu-177

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass resolutionVSAvoidisotope separation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the separation process into distinct functional modules: a source module for vaporization and ionization, a separation module with electric and magnetic fields for mass-based separation, and a collection module for collecting purified isotopes. This modular design with specialized components achieves the high mass resolution needed to separate Lu-177 from other lutetium isotopes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system achieves high mass resolution and purity in a compact design, allowing for controlled collection rates to produce Lu-177 with high specific activity, overcoming scalability and purity challenges of existing methods.

Implementation Method 1

a velocity filter including: a magnet assembly configured to generate a magnetic field perpendicular to a beam path of the ions; and two electrodes positioned on either side of the beam path and configured to generate an electric field perpendicular to the beam path and the magnetic field

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field: Electric Field

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 3

the electric field and the magnet field are controlled so that the beam path of the ions of a first target isotope is not deflected while ions of other isotopes or elements are deflected

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLorentz force: Lorentz Force

Data Source

PatentUS20250336561A1Isotope separation system with velocity filter

Publication Date: 2025.10.30 NUSANO INC

AI summary

Various embodiments include a system for isotope separation. The system may include an ion source assembly configured to generate ions from a source material, an injector assembly positioned to receive, accelerate, and focus the ions into a beam, and a separator assembly positioned to receive ions from the injector assembly. The separator assembly may include a velocity filter with a magnet assembly and two electrodes with curved portions angled to vary the electric field to compensate for non-linearities in the magnetic field. The system may also include a collimator coupled to a distal end of a drift path portion, the collimator comprising a first slit aperture. An isotope collector module comprising a first removable collection surface may be positioned beyond the collimator to receive the first target isotope ions.