Issue 1, 2013

Batch-reactor microfluidic device: first human use of a microfluidically produced PET radiotracer

Abstract

The very first microfluidic device used for the production of 18F-labeled tracers for clinical research is reported along with the first human Positron Emission Tomography scan obtained with a microfluidically produced radiotracer. The system integrates all operations necessary for the transformation of [18F]fluoride in irradiated cyclotron target water to a dose of radiopharmaceutical suitable for use in clinical research. The key microfluidic technologies developed for the device are a fluoride concentration system and a microfluidic batch reactor assembly. Concentration of fluoride was achieved by means of absorption of the fluoride anion on a micro ion-exchange column (5 μL of resin) followed by release of the radioactivity with 45 μL of the release solution (95 ± 3% overall efficiency). The reactor assembly includes an injection-molded reactor chip and a transparent machined lid press-fitted together. The resulting 50 μL cavity has a unique shape designed to minimize losses of liquid during reactor filling and liquid evaporation. The cavity has 8 ports for gases and liquids, each equipped with a 2-way on-chip mechanical valve rated for pressure up to 20.68 bar (300 psi). The temperature is controlled by a thermoelectric heater capable of heating the reactor up to 180 °C from RT in 150 s. A camera captures live video of the processes in the reactor. HPLC-based purification and reformulation units are also integrated in the device. The system is based on “split-box architecture”, with reagents loaded from outside of the radiation shielding. It can be installed either in a standard hot cell, or as a self-shielded unit. Along with a high level of integration and automation, split-box architecture allowed for multiple production runs without the user being exposed to radiation fields. The system was used to support clinical trials of [18F]fallypride, a neuroimaging radiopharmaceutical under IND Application #109,880.

Graphical abstract: Batch-reactor microfluidic device: first human use of a microfluidically produced PET radiotracer

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
27 Jul 2012
Accepted
16 Oct 2012
First published
17 Oct 2012

Lab Chip, 2013,13, 136-145

Batch-reactor microfluidic device: first human use of a microfluidically produced PET radiotracer

A. Lebedev, R. Miraghaie, K. Kotta, C. E. Ball, J. Zhang, M. S. Buchsbaum, H. C. Kolb and A. Elizarov, Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 136 DOI: 10.1039/C2LC40853H

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