The remotely-controlled preparation of a 11C-labelled radiopharmaceutical—[1− 11C]acetate

• Published in: The International journal of applied radiation and isotopes 1984-07, Vol.35 (7), p.623-627
• Main Authors: Pike, Victor W., Horlock, Peter L., Brown, Cyril, Clark, John C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aliphatic compounds; Chemistry; Exact sciences and technology; Organic chemistry; Preparations and properties
• ISSN: 0020-708X
• DOI: 10.1016/0020-708X(84)90107-8

Remotely-controlled apparatus is described for the preparation of the radiopharmaceutical, [1− 11C]acetate, from cyclotron-produced [ 11C]carbon dioxide according to established radiochemistry. This apparatus features a multi-ported reaction vessel (fitted with an electrical stirrer), twelve solenoid valves (to direct fluid flows and hydraulically-powered syringes), one hydraulic oil pump and one heated water-bath (all operated at 24 V d.c.). These components are controlled either with a rotary-switch or with an “Apple II” microcomputer acting through a digital output card. An important advantage of the use of this apparatus over the use of manually-controlled apparatus is that it results in a much reduced radiation dose to the operator. Moreover it has been shown that [1− 11C]acetate can be prepared much more efficiently with the remotely-controlled apparatus than with corresponding manually-controlled apparatus. Thus the overall efficiencies (radiochemical yields uncorrected for decay) for the conversion of [ 11C]carbon dioxide into [1− 11C]acetate for injection are 24 ± 8, 39 ± 7 and 47 ±8% for manual, remote rotary-switch and remote microcomputer control, respectively. The high efficiency and consistent performance of the remotely-controlled apparatus have been found to permit useful flexibility in the design of clinical experiments with [1− 11C]acetate and positron emission tomography.