Modular system for radiosynthesis with multi-run capabilities and reduced risk of radiation exposure

• US 20110008215A1
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/09/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Incorporated (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Kolb, Hartmuth C., Miraghaie, Reza, Zhang, Jianzhong, Ball, Carroll Edward, Graves, Todd, Lebedev, Artem, Elizarov, Arkadij M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,273,300 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/159
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 19/0093 Microreactors, e.g. miniaturised or microfabricated reactors laboratory containers with capillary fluid transport in microfabricated channels or chambers B01L3/5027
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0081 Plurality of modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00826 Quartz
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/0086 Dimensions of the flow channels
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00871 Modular assembly
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 2219/00936 UV-radiations

Abstract

Macro- and microfluidic devices and related technologies, and chemical processes using such devices. More specifically, the devices may be used for a fully automated synthesis of radioactive compounds for imaging, such as by positron emission tomography (PET), in an efficient, compact and safe to the operator manner. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to an automated, multi-run, microfluidic instrument for the multi-step synthesis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as PET probes, comprising a remote shielded mini-cell containing radiation-handing components.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. An instrument for synthesis of radiolabeled compounds comprising:

one or more “

hot”

component units; and

at least one “

cold”

component unit;

wherein the one or more “

hot”

component units and the at least one “

cold”

component unit are separate units that are operatively connected to each other, and the one or more “

hot”

component units and the at least one “

cold”

component unit being positioned from each other to reduce radiation exposure to a user and sensitive equipment.

22. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units has radiation-handling components and the at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units is placed inside a mini-cell.

23. The instrument according to claim 22, wherein the at least one “

cold”

component unit has reagents and the at least one “

cold”

component unit is placed outside the mini-cell so as to allow access to the reagents between runs.

24. The instrument according to claim 23, wherein one or more reagents are continuously accessible.

25. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein the instrument is fully-automated.

26. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising:

a bundle of cables and/or tubing that connects at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units and the at least one “

cold”

component unit,

wherein the bundle is approximately 20 feet long.

27. The instrument according to claim 26, wherein the bundle includes a Safety Radiation Detector.

28. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units includes one or more macro reactors.

29. The instrument according to claim 28, further comprising one or more micro-reactors.

30. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

box component units includes one or more microfluidic chips.

31. The instrument according to claim 30, wherein the microfluidic chip includes a plunger alignment for one-operation chip insertion.

32. The instrument according to claim 30 further comprising a built-in chip-alignment mechanism.

33. The instrument according to claim 30, wherein the microfluidic chip includes a system of parapets on a ceiling of the chip for preventing liquid loss while allowing evaporation.

34. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

box component units includes one or more micro-reactors.

35. The instrument according to claim 34, wherein the instrument further includes one or more macro-reactors.

36. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units includes multiple reactors.

37. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units includes a microfluidic chip and a macro reactor.

38. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units are self-shielded or placed in a micro-cell.

39. The instrument according to claim 21 wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units includes at least one unit performs a radiosynthetic protocol including synthesis, purification and formulation procedures.

40. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein a single “

cold”

component unit controls a plurality of “

hot”

component units.

41. The instrument according to claim 21 wherein the instrument conducts multiple runs, that includes radiosyntheses of different products, without opening shielded enclosures.

42. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising:

an interlocking pig device for collecting product and delivering F-18;

wherein the interlocking pig device is disposed on a self-shielded module.

43. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising a pressure source and detector-based system that are self-testing for leaks.

44. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising at least one metering pump that drives solvents into a reactor or reformulation system.

45. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein different processes take place in individual “

hot”

component units within a mini-cell in parallel.

46. The instrument according to claim 21 further comprising a flow meter that monitors reactor dryness, the flow meter capable of being placed either upstream or down stream of a reactor.

47. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein the “

cold”

component unit comprises a reaction cartridge.

48. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein the “

cold”

component unit is located outside a mini-cell.

49. The instrument according to claim 21 wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units includes a glass-bead-packed tube to split the release solution into multiple boluses.

50. The instrument according to claim 21 wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units include a UV LED light source in HPLC.

51. The instrument according to claim 21 wherein at least one of the one or more “

hot”

component units include at least one reusable Solid Phase Extraction cartridge.

52. The instrument according to claim 21 further comprising a self-monitoring and a self-emptying waste system.

53. The instrument according to claim 21 further comprising an electronic component that automatically generates a batch record.

54. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising:

a single syringe that drives a plurality of reagents and a plurality of solvents into the reactor and prevents reagents or solvents from entering the syringe.

55. The instrument according to claim 21, wherein the at least one “

cold”

component unit has reagents and every reagent is continuously accessible.

56. A method of conducting radiosynthesis of a radiolabeled compound in the instrument according to claim 21.

57. The method according to claim 56 further comprising passing K222 through a release line behind K₂CO₃.

58. The method according to claim 56, further comprising splitting a release solution into multiple boluses.

59. The method of claim 56, further comprising loading an HPLC loop by pressure via tubing with liquid-gas detectors.

60. The instrument according to claim 21, further comprising one or more cartridges that interface with the at least one cold component unit to provide reagents and/or solvents or a mixture thereof to the instrument.

61. The instrument according to claim 60, wherein the one or more cartridges enable refilling of contents of the cartridge without exposure to radiation.

62. The instrument according to claim 60, wherein the one or more cartridges include at least one single-use cartridge.

63. The instrument according to claim 60, wherein at least one of the one or more cartridges are pre-packaged.

64. The instrument according to claim 60, wherein at least one of the one or more cartridges contains a volume of reagents and/or solvents or a mixture thereof sufficient for a single operational run.

65. The instrument according to claim 60, wherein at least one of the one or more cartridges contains a volume of reagents and for solvents or a mixture thereof sufficient for multiple operational runs.