Rubidium generator for cardiac perfusion imaging and method of making and maintaining same

• US 8,071,959 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2005
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
• Original Assignee: Ottawa Heart Institute Research Corporation
• Inventors: deKemp, Robert A
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): LOGIE, MICHAEL J
• Application Number:
  US11/312,368
• Publication Number:
  US 20070140958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,176 Days
• Field of Search: 250/428, 250/430, 250/432.R, 250/435, 250/436, 250/432.PD
• US Class Current: 250/435
• CPC Class Codes: A61K 51/1282 Devices used in vivo and carrying the radioactive therapeutic or diagnostic agent, therapeutic or in vivo diagnostic kits, stents
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/206 Packing or coating
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 15/362 Cation-exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G21F 5/015 for storing radioactive sources, e.g. source carriers for irradiation units; Radioisotope containers
• CPC Class Codes: G21G 4/08 specially adapted for medical application radiation therapy using radioactive sources A61N5/10

Abstract

An ⁸²Sr/⁸²Rb generator column is made using a fluid impervious cylindrical container having a cover for closing the container in a fluid tight seal, and further having an inlet for connection of a conduit for delivering a fluid into the container and an outlet for connection of a conduit for conducting the fluid from the container. An ion exchange material fills the container, the ion exchange material being compacted within the container to a density that permits the ion exchange material to be eluted at a rate of at least 5 ml/min at a fluid pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch (10 kPa). The generator column can be repeatedly recharged with ⁸²Sr. The generator column is compatible with either three-dimensional or two-dimensional positron emission tomography systems.

Claims

1. An⁸²Sr/⁸²Rb generator column for use with a peristaltic pump, comprising:

a cylindrical container of fluid impervious material having a cover for closing the container in a fluid tight seal, and further having an inlet for connection of a conduit for delivering a fluid into the container and an outlet for connection of a conduit for conducting the fluid from the container; and

an ion exchange material filling the container, the ion exchange material being compacted within the container to a density of not more than 3 g/cm³ that permits the ion exchange material to be eluted at a flow rate of at least 5 ml/min at fluid pressure of 1.5 pounds per square inch (10 kPa).

2. The ⁸² Sr/⁸² Rb generator column as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ion exchange material comprises α

-hydrous tin dioxide.

3. The ⁸² Sr/^/82 Rb generator column as claimed in claim 2 wherein a total volume of the α

-hydrous tin dioxide in the generator column is about 1.5 cm³.

4. The ⁸²Sr/⁸²Rb generator column as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a particle filter at each of the inlet and the outlet.

5. The ⁸²Sr/⁸²Rb generator column as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a peristaltic pump for flushing and eluting the generator column.