System and method for an automated synthesis of gallium-68 generator-based radiopharmaceutical agents

摘要

Systems and methods are described for efficiently producing a radiopharmaceutical agent. The system includes a generator that provides an admixture comprising hydrochloric acid and gallium-68 (Ga-68). A heater initiates a removal process by evaporating the hydrochloric acid from the admixture resulting in a substantially purified Ga-68. A plurality of valves provides a buffer and a prodrug that gets mixed with the Ga-68 to produce Ga-68 radiopharmaceutical agent. Additionally, the valves may provide water or a transchelator to the Ga-68 radiopharmaceutical agent to optimize the yield. A method includes providing an admixture comprising hydrochloric acid and Ga-68. The method also includes removing the hydrochloric acid by heating the admixture and subsequently evaporating the hydrochloric acid, resulting in a substantially purified Ga-68. The method further includes adding a buffer and a prodrug to the substantially purified Ga-68 to produce the Ga-68 radiopharmaceutical agent.