Patent Number: 
Section: claims

1. An irradiation target handling device having an isotope production cable assembly comprising:a drive cable configured for use with an existing nuclear reactor drive mechanism for cable drive systems configured to insert and withdraw sensors within nuclear reactor cores, wherein an interior of the drive cable comprises a signal lead; a self-powered radiation detector, wherein the self-powered radiation detector is spirally wound and wrapped around an axial length of the drive cable, wherein the self-powered radiation detector is located on the drive cable proximate one end of the drive cable that is designed to be inserted into a flux thimble in a core of a nuclear reactor, wherein the self-powered radiation detector comprises a length configured to provide a preselected signal output with a minimal axial length from end to end of the spiral such that the self-powered radiation detector provides an output indicative of reactor flux at a position of the self-powered radiation detector position in a reactor core to optimize an axial position of a target material supported by and proximate the one end of the drive cable;a one of a female end or male end of a quick disconnect coupling attached to the one end of the drive cable; anda target holder element cable assembly having another of the female end or male end of the quick disconnect coupling at one end of the target holder element cable assembly, configured to attach to and detach from the one of the female or male end attached to the one end of the drive cable, the target holder element cable assembly having a target material holder configured to hold the target material as the drive cable is inserted and withdrawn through the flux thimble. 2. The irradiation target handling device of claim 1 wherein the target holder element cable assembly comprises a hollow cylinder of metal mesh having a length configured to hold the target material within the confines of the flux thimble. 3. The irradiation target handling device of claim 2 wherein the target holder element assembly is constructed from a material having substantially no cobalt. 4. The irradiation target handling device of claim 2 wherein the metal mesh is configured to support the target material in traveling through the flux thimble. 5. The irradiation target handling device of claim 2 wherein the hollow cylinder comprises the quick disconnect coupling at one end and a cap at another end. 6. The irradiation target handling device of claim 5 wherein the cap is secured in place with a ring clamp. 7. The irradiation target handling device of claim 1 wherein the quick disconnect coupling is a ball clasp coupling. 8. The irradiation target handling device of claim 1 wherein the drive cable is constructed for use with a drive mechanism that is part of an existing in-core moveable detector system. 9. The irradiation target handling device of claim 1 wherein the self-powered radiation detector further comprises a signal output lead routed axially through an opening in the drive cable.