A Greener Technetium Generator

The most commonly used radioisotope for diagnostic medical purposes is technetium (99mTc). The energy of its radiation is ideally suited for imaging. Its half-life of six hours is also short enough so that relatively large amounts can be safely used.

This invention relates to a novel generator that enables production and recovery of 99mTc from neutron-irradiated molybdenum. This generator system is based on the isolation of 99mTc, as the decay product from an appropriate source of 99Mo through a distillation process. The 99mTc obtained from this distillation is produced with high efficiency, in a solvent-free, pure form which can then be dissolved in water or other solvents to produce a solution at the required specific activity and concentration, as reasonably determined by the operator. A further aspect of this invention is that the starting target molybdenum material can be recovered and recycled for further irradiation.

Novelty

This new generator allows for a non-fission based method of producing and recovering 99mTc from neutron-irradiated molybdenum.

Potential Benefits

• Environmentally safer method as it uses 99Mo instead of spent uranium fuel
• Enables closed loop recycling of materials
• Increases production efficiency
• 99mTc is in a solvent free pure form