THE CONSTRUCTION OF AN AUTOMATED SYSTEM FOR [18F] FDG SYNTHESIS DEDICATED TO RESEARCH

The design and construction of an automated synthesis system for radiopharmaceuticals labeled with (18)F has been reported. This apparatus was constructed at IFIN-HH for research of short lived radioisotopes for PET investigation. [(18)F] fluoride was produced at the IFIN-HH cyclotron by irradiation of H(2)O enriched 97% in (18)O. with deuterons of 13 MeV or protons of 8 MeV. The irradiated H(2)O was transferred (injected) into the radiochemistry full automated processing systems which ensure the separation of (18)F-from H(2)O, the labeling with (18)F of a precursor compound by an acid or basic hydrolysis; then it is transformed in the radiopharmaceutical with (18)F and finally purified a selective absorbants. The system is easy to operate and contain a programmable logical controller which manages the entire operation program stored in its internal memory. The computer is used to assist the operator during the different steps of synthesis and to allow Visualization of the process and printing the report. The device served for the production of [18F] FDG at the IFIN-HH cyclotron, one of the most used radiopharmaceutical in PET investigations. The synthesis module has configurated so that it is enough flexible to accomplish and other nucleophile reactions of labeling with short lived radioisotopes.