TR-24 Cyclotron

TR-24 cyclotron: TRIUMF technology comes full circle

The cornerstone of TRIUMF’s Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes (IAMI) will be a 500 microamp, TR-24 cyclotron designed for the rapid, reliable and high yielding production of medical isotopes. Manufactured by Richmond B.C.-based Advanced Cyclotron Systems Inc. (ACSI), IAMI’s TR-24 cyclotron is an example of TRIUMF’s technology transfer bearing long-term fruit.  

 In the early 1970s, Richmond, B.C.-based heavy industry leader EBCO was a key builder of TRIUMF’s main 500 MeV cyclotron. Based on a technology transfer agreement, EBCO created a subsidiary, Advanced Cyclotron Systems Inc., to commercialize a TRIUMF-inspired, or TR-series, of compact medical cyclotrons. The prototype was TRIUMF Life Science’s TR 13. TR cyclotrons are now the world’s most technologically advanced commercial cyclotrons. 

The TR-24 is a medium energy (15-24 MeV) cyclotron that operates with gas, liquid and solid targets. It’s optimized for producing a wide range and significant quantities clinical and research radioisotopes. These include the PET radioisotopes ¹¹C,¹³N, ¹⁵O, ¹⁸F, ¹²⁴I, ⁶⁴Cu, ⁶⁸Ga and the SPECT radioisotopes ¹²³I, ¹¹¹In, ⁶⁷Ga, ⁵⁷Co, ^99mTc.

The TR-24 cyclotron is designed to operate for more than 30 years and can be readily upgraded on-site.