PRODUCTION OF RADIOISOTOPES WITH HIGHLY ENRICHED TARGET ENCLOSURE MATERIAL
An enclosure for producing a radioisotope from an irradiation target material in a thimble guide tube of a nuclear reactor core is provided. The enclosure is comprised of an enriched material and defines a cavity therein. The cavity of the enclosure is configured to house the irradiation target material. A target assembly for producing synthetic radioisotopes and a method for producing pharmaceutical radioisotopes with a target assembly are also provided.
1 . An enclosure for producing a radioisotope from an irradiation target material in a thimble guide tube of a nuclear reactor core, wherein the enclosure is comprised of an enriched material, wherein the enclosure defines a cavity therein, and wherein the cavity of the enclosure is configured to house the irradiation target material.
2 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enriched material has a short half-life upon being exposed to a neutron flux.
3 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the enclosure has a short half-life upon exposure to a neutron flux.
4 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enriched material is isotopically pure.
5 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the enriched material comprises a precursor to a beta emitter.
6 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the enriched material comprises at least one of Nickel-64, Copper-63, or Copper-65.
7 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enriched material comprises an alloy.
8 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enclosure is comprised of a number of layers.
9 . The enclosure as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the enclosure comprises an outer wall comprised of the enriched material.
10 . A target assembly for producing synthetic radioisotopes, the target assembly comprising:
an enclosure defining a cavity therein, wherein the enclosure comprises an outer wall comprised of an enriched material; and
an irradiation target material positioned within the cavity of the enclosure, wherein the irradiation target material comprises a precursor to a first radioisotope.
11 . The target assembly as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the enriched material comprises a precursor to a second radioisotope, wherein the second radioisotope is a short lived radioisotope.
12 . The target assembly as claimed in claim 10 , wherein the enriched material comprises an isotopically pure metallic material.
13 . The target assembly as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the isotopically pure metallic material comprises at least one of Nickel-64, Copper-63, or Copper-65.
14 . The target assembly as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the enriched material comprises an alloy.
15 . The target assembly as claimed in claim 10 , wherein a layer of inert material is positioned between the enriched material and the cavity.
16 . A method for producing pharmaceutical radioisotopes with a target assembly, the method comprising:
inserting the target assembly into a thimble guide tube, the target assembly comprising an enclosure and at least one irradiation target material positioned within the enclosure, wherein the enclosure is comprised of an enriched material;
irradiating the target assembly with a neutron flux; and
removing the irradiated target assembly from the thimble guide tube to produce one or more pharmaceutical radioisotopes.
17 . The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the enriched material comprises Nickel-64, Copper-63, and/or Copper-65.
18 . The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the irradiation target material of the irradiated target assembly comprises Lutetium 177 and/or Actinium-225.
19 . The method as claimed in claim 16 , wherein each of the irradiation target material and the enclosure of the irradiated target assembly are comprised of a pharmaceutical radioisotope.