Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-12290702-B2
Publication Date
2025-05-06
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of accumulating radium radionuclides, comprising providing a first solution including thorium radionuclides and a thorium-binding extractant, wherein the first solution does not bind to radium, allowing a portion of the thorium radionuclides in the first solution to decay into radium atoms and collecting radium atoms resulting from the decay. The collected radium atoms may be included in a solution in which brachytherapy sources are dipped, in a manner which collects the radium atoms onto the source.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of accumulating radium radionuclides in which a first solution including thorium radionuclides and a thorium-binding extractant does not bind radium, so that radium atoms resulting from decay of the thorium diffuse out of the first solution. A portion of the thorium radionuclides in the first solution is allowed to decay into radium atoms, and the radium atoms that diffused out of the first solution are collected.
The method further introduces the first solution into a chamber with a second solution, wherein the second solution does not mix with the first solution such that the decay radium atoms diffuse into the second solution. The first solution is described as lighter than the second solution, and the collected radium atoms are obtained from out of the first solution.
The disclosed implementation options include diffusion from the first solution into the second solution using immiscible or lighter second-solution conditions, using a separation solution with a low-solubility diluent, and employing collection structures in which radium is attracted to chamber walls and is collected by salt washing. The disclosed system also includes scaled production concepts with chambers, valves, pumps, evaluation, and robotic multi-compartment dipping, and source surface loading structures using manganese-oxide coatings and protective polymer/oxide coatings intended to allow radon daughter nuclei release while preventing radium loss.
Claims Coverage
The partial content provides one independent claim that defines the core method, with dependent claim refinements noted in the provided claim excerpt. The main inventive features are centered on a thorium-binding extractant that does not bind radium, diffusion of thorium-decay radium atoms out of the first solution, transfer into an immiscible second solution, and collection of the diffused radium atoms from out of the first solution.
Non-radium-binding thorium extractant enabling radium diffusion out of the first solution
Providing a first solution including thorium radionuclides and a thorium-binding extractant, wherein the first solution does not bind to radium, such that radium atoms resulting from decay of the thorium diffuse out of the first solution.
Decay of thorium into radium atoms within the first solution
Allowing a portion of the thorium radionuclides in the first solution to decay into radium atoms.
Immiscible second solution diffusion and first-solution lighter-than-second-solution relationship
Providing the first solution comprises introducing the first solution into a chamber with a second solution, which does not mix with the first solution, such that the decay radium atoms diffuse into the second solution, wherein the first solution is lighter than the second solution.
Collecting radium atoms resulting from diffusion out of the first solution
Collecting radium atoms resulting from the decay that diffused out of the first solution, from out of the first solution.
Across the independent claim and its noted dependents, the coverage focuses on using a thorium-binding extractant that does not bind radium, enabling diffusion of thorium-decay radium atoms out of a thorium-containing first solution, transferring the radium atoms into a non-mixing second solution that is heavier relative to the first solution, and collecting the radium atoms that diffused out of the first solution. Dependent refinements identified in the provided excerpt further specify extractant identity (TOPO), preparation constraints for separation solution and diluent, and additional collection handling concepts.
Stated Advantages
Documented Applications
Incorporating radium atoms into brachytherapy sources by dipping brachytherapy sources into a radium-containing extraction solution, with disclosed source surface loading using manganese-oxide coatings and protective polymer/oxide coatings to allow radon daughter nuclei release while preventing radium loss.
Scaled continuous production using an apparatus/system with chambers, valves, pumps, evaluation, and robotic multi-compartment dipping to support radium accumulation and source processing.
Interested in licensing this patent?