# Medical cyclotrons, hot cells, and synthesis modules

Source: https://onco.cc/technologies/medical-cyclotrons-synthesis-modules/  
OnCo record `medical-cyclotrons-synthesis-modules` (Technology). Data CC BY-NC 4.0, attribute "Data from OnCo (onco.cc)"; commercial use needs a licence.

## TL;DR

The particle accelerators and shielded robotic chemistry boxes that make PET tracers in hospital basements and commercial pharmacies.

## Summary

Compact 11-30 MeV cyclotrons from IBA (Cyclone), GE HealthCare (PETtrace, MINItrace), Siemens (Eclipse), ACSI (TR-24), and Sumitomo produce 18F, 68Ga, 64Cu, and 89Zr; shielded hot cells (Comecer, Von Gahlen, Tema Sinergie) house automated synthesis modules (Trasis AllinOne, IBA Synthera, GE FASTlab, Eckert & Ziegler Modular-Lab, Siemens Explora) that run GMP radiochemistry from cassettes. Solid-target 68Ga production is displacing generators at high-volume sites.

## Fields

- Kind: Technology
- Status: standard-of-care
- Last checked: 2026-09-08
- Tags: supporting
- Principle: Proton bombardment of enriched targets produces the isotope; cassette-based automated modules perform labelling, purification, and formulation behind lead shielding with QC before release.
- Strengths: On-site supply of short-lived isotopes; Cassette chemistry standardises GMP production
- Limitations: Capital and shielding cost ($2-5M per site); Skilled radiochemists scarce; Site licensing takes years

## Sources

- 21 CFR Part 212: current good manufacturing practice for PET drugs: https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-C/part-212

## Connected records

- fronts: [Imaging](https://onco.cc/fronts/imaging/), [Radiopharmaceuticals & Theranostics](https://onco.cc/fronts/radiopharma/)
- technologies: [Astatine-211 alpha therapy](https://onco.cc/technologies/astatine-211-alpha-therapy/), [CT, MRI and PET scanner manufacturing](https://onco.cc/technologies/medical-imaging-scanner-manufacturing/), [Cyclotron isotope production (F-18, Ga-68, Cu-64, Zr-89, At-211)](https://onco.cc/technologies/cyclotron-isotope-production/), [Gamma probes, handheld gamma cameras and dose calibrators](https://onco.cc/technologies/gamma-probes-dose-calibrators/), [PET (positron emission tomography)](https://onco.cc/technologies/pet/), [PET tracer manufacturing and distribution](https://onco.cc/technologies/pet-tracer-manufacturing/), [Proton therapy machines: cyclotrons, synchrotrons and single-room systems](https://onco.cc/technologies/proton-therapy-systems/), [Radioligand therapy (beta emitters)](https://onco.cc/technologies/radioligand-therapy/), [Radionuclide generators and cold kits](https://onco.cc/technologies/radionuclide-generators-kits/), [Radiopharmacy and cyclotron networks](https://onco.cc/technologies/radiopharmacy-network/)
- companies: [Comecer (ATS)](https://onco.cc/companies/comecer/), [GE HealthCare](https://onco.cc/companies/ge-healthcare/), [IBA (Ion Beam Applications)](https://onco.cc/companies/iba/), [Siemens Healthineers](https://onco.cc/companies/siemens-healthineers/), [Sumitomo Heavy Industries](https://onco.cc/companies/sumitomo-heavy-industries/), [Trasis](https://onco.cc/companies/trasis/)

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