Production of 82mRb via the 82Kr(p,n)-process on highly enriched 82Kr: a remotely controlled compact system for irradiation, safe handling and recovery of the target gas and isolation of the radioactive product

A remotely controlled compact system for the production of 6.5 h 82mRb, a potential substitute for generator-produced 1.3 min 82Rb in myocardial blood flow studies, has been developed. The method utilizes the 82Kr(p,n)82mRb process on 90% enriched 82Kr gas. Target development and other technological aspects relevant to the safe handling and recovery of the enriched gas are described. The product 82mRb activity, deposited on the inner walls of the target, is efficiently isolated by introducing steam in several successive cycles, the total activity being concentrated in about 7 mL of water. The high-current production yield of 82mRb over the energy range of Ep = 14.5 → 10 MeV amounts to about 370 MBq (10 mCi)/μAh, i.e. about 90% of the theoretical value. The only radionucldic impurity present was 83Rb (T1/2 = 86.2 days) at a level of 0.04% of 82mRb. The target system described is very versatile and can also be employed for production of other medicallly important radionuclides (e.g. 81Rb---81mKr generator, 83Sr, etc.) using enriched gases as target materials.