The Molybdenum-Technetium Generator

• What is the purpose of a molybdenum-technetium generator?

  To produce technetium from molybdenum
• What is the half-life of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m)?

  6.0 hours
• Why is Tc-99m used as a tracer in medical imaging?

  It has a short half-life, reducing patient irradiation
• What is a consequence of Tc-99m's short half-life?

  It must be produced when needed in hospitals
• What is the half-life of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99)?

  66 hours
• How is Mo-99 produced?

  In nuclear reactors
• Why can Mo-99 be transported to hospitals weekly?

  It has a longer half-life than Tc-99m
• What happens to Mo-99 once it arrives at a hospital?

  It is placed in a generator to produce Tc-99m
• How long can Tc-99m be produced from Mo-99 in the generator?

  Up to a week
• How is Tc-99m extracted from the generator?

  By passing saline solution over the materials
• What is done with the saline solution containing Tc-99m?

  It is injected into patients for scanning
• How long is the journey from the nuclear power station to the hospital?

  12 hours
• How many half-lives of Tc-99m pass during the 12-hour journey?

  Two half-lives
• What was the initial mass of Tc-99m if 1 kg remains after the journey?

  4 kg
• How much Tc-99m was lost during the journey?

  3 kg
• What percentage of the initial mass of Tc-99m was lost?

  75%
• What are the key points regarding the molybdenum-technetium generator and its isotopes?

  • Produces Tc-99m from Mo-99
  • Tc-99m half-life: 6.0 hours
  • Mo-99 half-life: 66 hours
  • Tc-99m must be produced on demand
  • Mo-99 can be transported weekly
  • Tc-99m extracted using saline solution
• What should you focus on regarding the molybdenum-technetium generator for exams?

  • Half-lives of Tc-99m and Mo-99
  • Importance of the generator
  • Extraction process of Tc-99m