Use of microfabricated devices

Abstract

This invention relates to the miniaturisation of radiosyntheses onto microfabricated devices, and in particular to use of microfabricated devices for radiosynthesis, isolation, and analysis of radiotracers for use in Positron Emission Tomography (PET).

1 . Use of a microfabricated device for radiosynthesis.  
     
     
         2 . Use of a microfabricated device for radiosynthesis of a radiotracer suitable for use in PET.  
     
     
         3 . Use according to  claim 2  wherein the radiotracer produced is labelled with  11 C,  18 F, or  124 I.  
     
     
         4 . Use according to  claim 2  wherein the radiotracer is 2-[ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose or L-6-[ 18 F]fluoro-DOPA.  
     
     
         5 . Use according to  claim 1  which comprises one or more of the steps (i) to (vi) performed on a microfabricated device: 
 (i) pretreatment of a radioactive reagent or a precursor;    (ii) synthesis of a radiolabelling agent;    (iii) mixing and reaction of a radiolabelling agent with a precursor to produce a radiolabelled product;    (iv) chemical modification of a radiolabelled product;    (v) analysis of a radiolabelled product; and/or    (vi) separation of a radiolabelled product, from one or more byproducts.    
     
     
         6 . Use according to  claim 5  wherein the radiolabelled product produced is a radiotracer such as 2-[ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose or L-6-[ 18 F]fluoro-DOPA.  
     
     
         7 . Use according to  claim 5  wherein the radiolabelling agent is selected from: [ 11 C]methane; 
 [ 11 C]carbon dioxide;    [ 11 C]carbon monoxide;    [ 11 C]RX, wherein R is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, cyclopropyl, benzyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, and fluoro or halo-analogues thereof; and X is selected from halo, mesylate, tosylate, triflate, nonaflate, nitrate, thiol, isocyanate, lithium and aldehyde;    R′[ 11 C]COCl, R′[ 11 C]COOH, R′[ 11 C]CH 2 OH, R′[ 11 C]COH, or R′[ 11 C]COR′ where R′ is selected from methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, cyclopropyl, benzyl, cyclopentylmethyl, cyclohexylmethyl, and fluoro or halo-analogues thereof;    [ 11 C]CN;    [ 11 C]CCl 4 ;    [ 11 C]phosgene;    [ 11 C]urea;    [ 11 C]cyanogen bromide;    [ 18 F]fluoride; and    [ 124 I]iodide.    
     
     
         8 . A microfabricated device adapted to carry out one or more of the steps in  claim 5  comprising one or more of: 
 (i) microfabricated mixing and reaction device;    (ii) microfabricated analysis device; and/or    (iii) microfabricated separation device.