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First Production of Fluorine-18 with AccSys Model PL-7 Linac
Pleasanton, CA - November 25, 1996
Dr. Robert W. Hamm, President and CEO of AccSys Technology, Inc. announced
today the factory operation of the company's first PL-7 compact radiofrequency
(rf) proton linear accelerator (linac) and the results of initial tests, using
the PL-7, of a target system for the production of the medically important
isotope fluorine-18. According to Dr. Hamm, "This successful demonstration of
the Model PL-7 linac and the fluorine-18 target is a significant validation of
this technology for medical applications." The first AccSys PL-7 will be
installed at the Indiana University Cyclotron Facility where it will be used to
inject polarized negatively charged hydrogen ions into a synchrotron.
AccSys Technology is the world's leading commercial producer of rf ion linacs. The PL-7, which uses a radiofrequency
quadrupole (RFQ) and a drift tube (DTL) accelerator to generate a beam of
protons at an energy of 7.0 MeV, is the latest step in the company's continued
development of rf ion linacs for medical, industrial and research applications.
The PL-7 forms the core of the PULSAR® product line
which is sold for the production of short half-life isotopes used in positron imaging.
AccSys Technology's PULSAR® product line represents the next generation of
positron radiotracer production equipment. Positron radiotracers are used in
medicine for research and diagnostic imaging studies using techniques such as
Positron Emission Tomography (PET) or high energy Single Photon Emission
Computed Tomography (SPECT). PULSAR® establishes a new standard in optimized
performance for efficient, cost-effective and reliable production of
positron-labeled radiotracers for regional distribution, physiologic imaging
research and clinical diagnostic applications.
PULSAR® is based on the compact PL-7 proton linac which incorporates the
latest in advanced rf ion linac technology. Its modest 7.0 MeV energy and high
proton beam current combine to give outstanding performance in a compact,
affordable package. In addition to providing high production yields, the
PULSAR® solution to positron radiotracer production avoids the complexity,
weight, shielding and cost penalties of cyclotron systems.
Dr. Jerry Robinson, Vice President and PET Program Manager at AccSys,
commented: "Testing of our fluorine-18 production target using the 7.0 MeV
proton beam from a PL-7 rf linac is a major technical milestone. The results of
our tests verify that the performance of the target is as predicted and proves
that PULSAR® is real today." The target used for producing fluorine-18 was
developed in cooperation with Dr. David Schlyer's chemistry group at Brookhaven
National Laboratory under a Department of Energy Cooperative Research and
Development Agreement (CRADA) [DOE CRADA Number BNL-C-95-05].
Targets for the production of the other medically-important positron emitting
isotopes, carbon-11, nitrogen-13 and oxygen-15, are currently under
development.
AccSys Technology, Inc. was founded in 1985 to commercialize advanced
radiofrequency (rf) ion linac technology for applications in medicine, industry
and research, with emphasis on developing an innovative system for producing the
short-lived radiotracers used in medical positron imaging. AccSys has produced
and installed 12 rf ion linac systems worldwide since 1987.
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