Radioisotope production at the cyclotron in Rio de Janeiro

A radioisotope production laboratory has been installed at Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear in Rio de Janeiro. It is intended primarily for processing short-lived radioisotopes produced by a multiparticle, variable energy, isochronous, compact CV-28 Cyclotron and for preparation of radiopharmaceuticals and labelled molecules. Carrier-free iodine-123, indium-111, thalium-201, bromine-77 and gallium-67 with high purity have been produced. An irradiated target transport system has been built. Special targets that can dissipate high surface power densities are being developed. Each radioisotope is processed in a remotely controlled cell equiped with electric and pneumatic systems as well as manipulators ans tongs. Quality control is achieved by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, spot tests, gamma-ray spectroscopy and thin-layer chromatography. Biological tests in mice have confirmed the good quality of the radiopharmaceuticals.Instalou-se um laboratorio de producao de radioisotopos no Instituto de Engenharia Nuclear no Rio de Janeiro. Ele foi instalado primeiramente para processamento de radioisotpos de vida curta produzida por multiparticulas, energia variavel, isocronos, ciclotron compacto CV-28 e para preparacao de radiofarmacos e moleculas marcadas. Iodo 123, Indio 111, talio 201, Bromo 77 e galio 67, livre de carreador e com alta pureza foram produzidas. Um sistema de transporte de alvo irradiado foi construido. Alvos especiais que podem dissipar altas potencias foram desenvolvidas. Cada radioisotopo e processado uma celula controlada remotamente com sistemas eletricos e pneumaticos. O controle de qualidade e feito por espectrofotometria de absorcao atomica, testes de marca, espectroscopia de raios gama e cromatografia de camada fina. Testes biologicos em micos tem confirmado a boa qualidade dos radiofarmacos