A review of automated systems for cyclotrons use

Automation has a growing role in process controls in general. It is everyday more and present in human kind's dreams, being pursued by scientists as the solution to improve the quality of life, to replace big efforts, to attend the growing demand of the world populace. Automation is a technology that can be applied in several processes to generate productivity, agility, flexibility and welfare. It opens horizons so that man can multiply his potential, develop his creativity and gives birth to a new age of realizations. Where he will certainly will be the central figure, responsible for decisions. It is up to him to find the best way. In particular, automation of target irradiation systems in cyclotrons is important in order to reduce the radiation dose received by the personnel and to increase the reliability of the method, leading to an improvement in the radioisotope production capacity. This work presents a literature review of automatized systems comparing them with the one developed at IPEN. The systems found in literature involve the use of solid, liquid and gaseous targets used in radioisotope production for Nuclear Medicine employing the techniques of PET (Positron Emission Tomography) and SPET (Single Photon Emission Tomography). (author)