Evaluation of the production capabilities of 18F, 11C, 13N and 15O PET isotopes at the PET-cyclotron-radiochemistry site of Messina University

Abstract

The production of ¹⁸F, ¹¹C, ¹³N, and ¹⁵O positron emitting radionuclides for PET imaging is usually accomplished in Nuclear Medicine Departments through direct nuclear reactions induced by protons accelerated by compact medical cyclotrons on liquid or gaseous targets. Messina University has funded the construction of a PET-cyclotron-radio-chemistry plant at the Messina University Hospital, equipped with a 11 MeV self-shielded cyclotron. We estimated the expected production yields of these nuclides, accounting for target thickness, production of other radioactive nuclides, and time effects on the irradiated target purity. To this aim, both TALYS code (v. 1.8) and an analytical approach based on EXFOR experimental data were used. The general agreement between the two approaches, and with the available literature data, allows to assess the expected yields at the End of Bombardment, and relative target purities, to be used for further radiopharmaceutical preparation steps.