Accelerator production of [sup 122]Xe(20. 1 hthinsp; h) as a source of [sup 122]I(3. 6 hthinsp; m) labeled radiopharmaceuticals for applications in positron emission tomography

Iodine-122 (3.6 m) radiopharmaceuticals have a proven potential for accelerator-free PET studies, including brain and heart perfusion, using a [sup 122]Xe[r arrow][sup 122]I transportable generator. Nuclear reactions with up to 70 MeV proton beams were studied to produce the parent [sup 122]Xe(20.1 hthinsp;h) radionuclide. Theoretical and experimental measurements indicated that [sup 122]Xe can be produced in high yields allowing for an extensive use of a [sup 122]Xe[r arrow][sup 122]I generator capable of producing multiple doses of [sup 122]I radiopharmaceuticals. Other lower energy reactions were studied and the results indicated the possibility of developing new methods that could be available to a larger number of commercial and research accelerators operating worldwide. [copyright] [ital 1999 American Institute of Physics.]