FDA approves new way to make medical imaging isotope

By Emma Stoye2018-02-21T14:43:00

Algodystrophy of the hands, scintigram. Algodystrophy (reflex sympathetic dystrophy) is a condition causing pain, swelling and tremor in affected areas (white). In its later stages, it can lead to muscle wasting and demineralisation of bone. The cause is

Source: CENTRE JEAN PERRIN, ISM/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

System will be the US’s first domestic source of molybdenum-99 for 30 years

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new system for generating the diagnostic radioisotope technetium-99m that it hopes will address shortages. The RadioGenix system developed by Beloit, Wisconsin-headquartered company NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes works by separating technetium-99m from its radioactive precursor molybdenum-99, as it decays into technetium-99m. The imaging agent emits gamma radiation that is used to make images of organs or bones, for example in SPECT imaging. It is used on tens of thousands of patients in the US every year for the diagnosis of various diseases including cancer and heart disease.