Rapid Transfer of Short Lived Radioisotopes via a 2.4 km "Rabbit" System

Abstract

A 2.4 km long pipeline between a cyclotron and a hospital is used for the rapid transfer of shortlived radiopharmaceuticals, The vials containing the pharmaceuticals are placed inside capsules ("rabbits") that are blown through a tube by means of compressed air, Travel times as short as 2 min are achieved, which makes the system suitable for the transfer of 150, which has a 2 min half-life. The construction and test results of the system are described along with a computer model, developed to explain some properties of the system.