In Positron Emission Tomography (PET), short-lived radioisotopes such as Fluorine-18 (18F) are used as a source of positions. These radioactive isotopes are typically produced using electrostatic, cyclotron or linear induction proton accelerators that provide a single particle beam to produce isotopes one target at a time. This technology describes a system to enable increased isotope production by splitting up a single high-energy proton beam, extracted from a single high current accelerator, into multiple beams. The multiple beams can be used with multiple separate targets. Such a system could replace the need to deploy multiple proton accelerators for large-scale radioisotope production.
Typically proton accelerators that provide a single particle beam produce a small number of radioisotopes. This technology increases isotope production by splitting up a single high-energy proton beam extracted from a single high current accelerator into multiple (10 or more) beams that can be used with multiple separate targets. The technology describes two possible methods for splitting the beam depending on type of proton accelerator used: First, a dual-charged geometry that is more suitable for proton accelerators that produce a negatively charged particle beam. Second, a single charge beam splitter that is suitable for a pulsed particle beam of either positive or negative polarity. The separator splits the beam using oscillating (periodically ramping) dipole field synchronized with output pulses of the accelerator.
The technology design and efficacy has been modeled and development of a prototype is underway.
Patent Pending
Tech Ventures Reference: IR 1413