iMiTRACE – Cyclotron
Compact and lightweight 12 MeV cyclotron for the production of key PET tracers
Specifically tailored for the in-situ production of radioisotopes used in PET applications, AVELION designs and manufactures the cyclotron iMiTRACE. Due to its innovative architecture, it offers unique characteristics as well as high performance, with a high level of reliability.
Smarter Design for Reliable PET Production
- Compact and lightweight design, installable in 50 m² rooms with 50 cm walls
- 12 MeV optimized performance for efficient production of ¹⁸F, ¹¹C, ¹³N and ⁶⁸Ga
- High-yield production, up to 3.5 Ci of ¹⁸F in 2 hours
iMiTRACE® is the result of major technological advancements derived from the OSCAR cyclotron platform. Its helium-free superconducting and persistent magnet architecture ensures exceptional operational stability while eliminating the constraints associated with helium handling. Thanks to this innovative design, iMiTRACE® is remarkably lightweight and compact, requiring installation in a room as small as 50 m² with only 50 cm thick walls, making it ideally suited for hospitals and imaging centers.
Operating at 12 MeV, iMiTRACE® delivers the optimal energy for the efficient production of ¹⁸F, ¹¹C, ¹³N and ⁶⁸Ga, covering the vast majority of PET radiopharmaceutical applications. The system is capable of producing high-yield batches, with outputs of up to 3.5 Ci of ¹⁸F in 2 hours, ensuring reliable supply for daily clinical workflows.
Making PET Production Easier
- Four external, self-shielded targets for high flexibility and safety
- Fully automated and intuitive interface, designed for maximum uptime
- Easy-to-maintain, ideal for clinical PET environments
The cyclotron is equipped with four external, fully self-shielded targets, enabling rapid target changes, enhanced radiation safety, and simplified maintenance. This external target architecture minimizes equipment activation and significantly reduces intervention time, contributing to increased system availability and uptime.
Designed for fully automated operation, iMiTRACE® manages the entire production cycle — from target selection and filling to isotope delivery — through an intuitive, intuitive interface adapted to different operator expertise levels. With external ion sources and targets, routine maintenance is faster, safer, and more efficient, making iMiTRACE® a powerful yet accessible solution for both new and existing PET facilities.
Optimized PET Isotope Production
The table above summarizes the typical production capabilities of iMiTRACE® for the main PET radioisotopes. Thanks to its 12 MeV optimized beam energy, external self-shielded targets, iMiTRACE® delivers reliable and reproducible yields adapted to both clinical routine and research applications.
Production parameters such as target type, volume, beam current and irradiation time are optimized for each isotope, enabling flexible operation while maintaining high safety standards. iMiTRACE® supports both liquid and gas targets, allowing on-site production of ¹⁸F, ¹¹C, ¹³N and ⁶⁸Ga with activities suitable for daily PET workflows.
These performances demonstrate the ability of iMiTRACE® to efficiently, while offering short irradiation times, automated operation and high uptime, even in compact hospital environments.
| Isotope | Type of target | Target volume (mL) | Target Material | Current (μA) | Irradiation time (min) | Activity EOB* (Ci) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18F | Liquid target | 0.5 / 1.3 | H2O18 | 20/50 | 120 | Up to 1.4 / 3.5 |
| 68Ga | Liquid target | 1.3 | [68Zn]Zn(NO3)2 | 50 | 60 | Up to 0.1 |
| 11C | Gas target | 50 | N2O2 for CO2 N2H2 for CH4 |
50 | 40 | Up to 1.7 |
| 13N | Liquid target | 0.5 | Ultrapure water | 20 | 20 | Up to 0.1 |
*End of bombardment