KOTRON-13 사이클로트론의 고효율C-11 가스 표적장치

Development and optimization of C-11 gas target system in KOTRON-13 cyclotron

최근 들어 양전자방출단층촬영(positron emission tomography, PET) 대표적인 진단검사인 FDG (2-[$^{18}F$]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose)를 이용한 전신암 및 장기별 대사 검사뿐만 아니라 또 다른 양전자 방출 동위원소 탄소-11로 표지 된 다양한 방사성의약품 사용이 증가될 예정이다. 본 논문에서는 현재 국내에 설치 보급되어있는 국산 KOTRON-13 사이클로트론에 냉각 성능이 개선된 탄소-11 표적 장치를 설계, 제작하고, 다양한 생산시험을 통하여 탄소-11의 생산량 증대를 입증 하였다. 성공적으로 기존의 불소-18 타겟과 새로운 탄소-11 타겟 호환장치를 도입하였고, 실험 결과 고효율 탄소-11표적 장치가 내수성이 우수하고, 30분 조사 시 최대 2,000 mCi를 생산하였다. 본 시험결과를 통해 향후 불소-18만이 생산 가능했던 국산 KOTRON-13 사이클로트론에 효율적이고 안정적으로 탄소-11생산 시스템을 도입할 수 있음을 증빙하였다.

Purpose: The KOTRON-13 cyclotron was developed in South Korea and was introduced to regional cyclotron centers to produce short-lifetime medical radioisotopes. However, this cyclotron has limited capacity to produce carbon-11 isotope so far. We herein study how to develop and optimize an effective carbon-11 target system in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron by changing cooling system, combing with fluorine-18 target and evaluating beam currents. Materials and Method: To develop the optimal carbon-11 target and an effective cooling system, we designed the carbon-11 target system by Stopping and Range of Ions in Matter (SRIM) simulation program and considered the cavity pressure during irradiation at target grid. In this investigation, we evaluated the yield of carbon-11 production at different beam currents and the stability of the operation of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron. Results: The production of carbon-11 was enhanced from about 1.700 mCi ($50{\mu}A$) to 2,000 mCi ($60{\mu}A$) on the carbon-11 target which developed by seoul national university bundang hospital (SNUBH) and Samyoung Unitech. Additionally, the cooling condition was showed stable to produce carbon-11 under high beam current. Conclude: The carbon-11 target system of the KOTRON-13 cyclotron was successfully developed and improved carbon-11 production. Consequently, the operation of carbon-11 target system was highly effective and stable compare with other commercial cyclotrons. Our results are believed that this optimal carbon-11 target system will be helpful for the routine carbon-11 production in the KOTRON-13 cyclotron.