This publication presents a comprehensive overview of the technologies involved in the production of cyclotron based 99mTc. These would include techniques relevant to preparation of targets, irradiation of targets under high beam currents, target processing, target recovery and quality control of the final product. The publication provides broad information, well supported with references, on improved production routes and improved separation and purification of cyclotron based 99mTc. These approaches achieve high specific activity and chemical purity of 99mTc suitable for labelling molecules of medical interest and also enable spare capacity to be available at medical cyclotron centres. The readership of this publication is scientists interested in translating this technology to practice, technologists already working with cyclotrons wanting to enhance the utility of the existing machines and managers who are in the process of setting up facilities in their countries. Students working towards higher level degrees in related fields may also benefit from this publication.

The decay product of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), technetium-99m (Tc-99m), and associated medical isotopes iodine-131 (I-131) and xenon-133 (Xe-133) are used worldwide for medical diagnostic imaging or therapy. The United States consumes about half of the world's supply of Mo-99, but there has been no domestic (i.e., U.S.-based) production of this isotope since the late 1980s. The United States imports Mo-99 for domestic use from Australia, Canada, Europe, and South Africa. Mo-99 and Tc-99m cannot be stockpiled for use because of their short half-lives. Consequently, they must be routinely produced and delivered to medical imaging centers. Almost all Mo-99 for medical use is produced by irradiating highly enriched uranium (HEU) targets in research reactors, several of which are over 50 years old and are approaching the end of their operating lives. Unanticipated and extended shutdowns of some of these old reactors have resulted in severe Mo-99 supply shortages in the United States and other countries. Some of these shortages have disrupted the delivery of medical care. Molybdenum-99 for Medical Imaging examines the production and utilization of Mo-99 and associated medical isotopes, and provides recommendations for medical use.

This book is the product of a congressionally mandated study to examine the feasibility of eliminating the use of highly enriched uranium (HEU2) in reactor fuel, reactor targets, and medical isotope production facilities. The book focuses primarily on the use of HEU for the production of the medical isotope molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), whose decay product, technetium-99m3 (Tc-99m), is used in the majority of medical diagnostic imaging procedures in the United States, and secondarily on the use of HEU for research and test reactor fuel. The supply of Mo-99 in the U.S. is likely to be unreliable until newer production sources come online. The reliability of the current supply system is an important medical isotope concern; this book concludes that achieving a cost difference of less than 10 percent in facilities that will need to convert from HEU- to LEU-based Mo-99 production is much less important than is reliability of supply.

Nearly 20 million nuclear medicine procedures are carried out each year in the United States alone to diagnose and treat cancers, cardiovascular disease, and certain neurological disorders. Many of the advancements in nuclear medicine have been the result of research investments made during the past 50 years where these procedures are now a routine part of clinical care. Although nuclear medicine plays an important role in biomedical research and disease management, its promise is only beginning to be realized. Advancing Nuclear Medicine Through Innovation highlights the exciting emerging opportunities in nuclear medicine, which include assessing the efficacy of new drugs in development, individualizing treatment to the patient, and understanding the biology of human diseases. Health care and pharmaceutical professionals will be most interested in this book's examination of the challenges the field faces and its recommendations for ways to reduce these impediments.

Cyclotrons are currently used for the preparation of a wide variety of radionuclides that have applications in single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and positron emission tomography (PET). Consequently, there is high demand from IAEA Member States for support in the area of radiopharmaceutical production using cyclotron produced radioisotopes. This publication describes the potential radionuclide production routes using cyclotrons in different energy ranges and provides methods for the development of targets and provides details of the chemistry for the separation of radionuclides from target materials. The readership of this publication includes scientists, operators interested in putting this technology into practice, technologists already working with cyclotrons who wish to enhance the utility of existing machines, and managers in the process of setting up radionuclide facilities in their countries. Students working towards higher level degrees in related fields may also benefit from this publication.

This book provides a comprehensive treatment of cyclotrons, with a special emphasis on production of radionuclides. Individual sections are devoted to accelerator technology, theoretical aspects of nuclear reactions, the technology behind targetry, techniques for preparation of targets, irradiation of targets under high beam currents, target processing and target recovery. This book will appeal to scientists and technologists interested in translating cyclotron technology into practice, as well as postgraduate students in this field.

The focus of this Special Issue is aimed at enhancing the discussion of Engineering Education, particularly related to technological and professional learning. In the 21st century, students face a challenging demand: they are expected to have the best scientific expertise, but also highly developed social skills and qualities like teamwork, creativity, communication, or leadership. Even though students and teachers are becoming more aware of this necessity, there is still a gap between academic life and the professional world. In this Special Edition Book, the reader can find works tackling interesting topics such as educational resources addressing students’ development of competencies, the importance of final year projects linked to professional environments, and multicultural or interdisciplinary challenges.

Participants of the July 17-18, 2017, symposium titled Opportunities and Approaches for Supplying Molybdenum-99 and Associated Medical Isotopes to Global Markets examined current trends in molybdenum-99 production, prospects for new global supplies, and technical, economic, regulatory, and other considerations for supplying molybdenum-99 to global markets. This publication summarizes the presentations and discussions from the symposium.

Describes the most common imaging technologies and their diagnostic applications so that pharmacists and other health professionals, as well as imaging researchers, can understand and interpret medical imaging science This book guides pharmacists and other health professionals and researchers to understand and interpret medical imaging. Divided into two sections, it covers both fundamental principles and clinical applications. It describes the most common imaging technologies and their use to diagnose diseases. In addition, the authors introduce the emerging role of molecular imaging including PET in the diagnosis of cancer and to assess the effectiveness of cancer treatments. The book features many illustrations and discusses many patient case examples. Medical Imaging for Health Professionals: Technologies and Clinical Applications offers in-depth chapters explaining the basic principles of: X-Ray, CT, and Mammography Technology; Nuclear Medicine Imaging Technology; Radionuclide Production and Radiopharmaceuticals; Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Technology; and Ultrasound Imaging Technology. It also provides chapters written by expert radiologists in well-explained terminology discussing clinical applications including: Cardiac Imaging; Lung Imaging; Breast Imaging; Endocrine Gland Imaging; Abdominal Imaging; Genitourinary Tract Imaging; Imaging of the Head, Neck, Spine and Brain; Musculoskeletal Imaging; and Molecular Imaging with Positron Emission Tomography (PET). Teaches pharmacists, health professionals, and researchers the basics of medical imaging technology Introduces all of the customary imaging tools—X-ray, CT, ultrasound, MRI, SPECT, and PET—and describes their diagnostic applications Explains how molecular imaging aids in cancer diagnosis and in assessing the effectiveness of cancer treatments Includes many case examples of imaging applications for diagnosing common diseases Medical Imaging for Health Professionals: Technologies and Clinical Applications is an important resource for pharmacists, nurses, physiotherapists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists, radiological or nuclear medicine technologists, health physicists, radiotherapists, as well as researchers in the imaging field.