REMOTE PROCESSING, DELIVERY AND INJECTION OF H-2[O-15] PRODUCED FROM A N-2 H-2 GAS-TARGET USING A SIMPLE AND COMPACT APPARATUS/

We report here a simple apparatus for remote trapping and processing o f H-2[O-15] produced from the N-2/H-2 target. The system performs a th ree step operation for H-2[O-15] delivery at the PET imaging facility which includes the following: (i) collecting the radiotracer in steril e water; (ii) adjusting preparation pH through removal of radiolytical ly produced ammonia, while at the same time adjusting solution isotoni city; and (iii) delivery of the radiotracer preparation to the injecti on syringe in a sterile and pyrogen-free form suitable for human studi es. The processing apparatus is simple, can be remotely operated and f its inside a Capintec Dose Monitoring Chamber for direct measurement o f accumulated radioactivity. Using this system, 300 mCi of H-2[O-15] ( 15 mu A of 8 MeV D+ on target) is transferred from target through 120 m x 3.18 mm o.d. Impolene tubing to yield 100 mCi of H-2[O-15] which i s isotonic, neutral and suitable for human studies. A remote hydraulic ally driven system for i.v. injection of the H-2[O-15] is also describ ed. The device allows for direct measurement of syringe dose while fil ling, and for easy, as well as safe transport of the injection syringe assembly to the patient's bedside via a shielded delivery cart. This cart houses a hydraulic piston that allows the physician to ''manually '' inject the radiotracer without directly handling the syringe.