CERN-MEDical Isotopes Collected from ISOLDE (MEDICIS) is a facility located in the Isotope Separator Online DEvice (ISOLDE) facility at CERN, designed to produce high-purity isotopes for developing the practice of patient diagnosis and treatment.[1] The facility was initiated in 2010, with its first radioisotopes (terbium-155) produced on 12 December 2017.[2]
The target used to produce radioactive nuclei at the ISOLDE facility only absorbs 10% of the proton beam.[3] MEDICIS positions a second target behind the first, which is irradiated by the leftover 90% of the proton beam. The target is then moved to an off-line mass separation system and isotopes are extracted from the target.[4] These isotopes are implanted in metallic foil and can be delivered to research facilities and hospitals.[5]
MEDICIS is a nuclear class A laboratory and takes into account various radioprotection procedures to prevent irradiation and contamination.[6]