Integrated anion-exchange cartridge for [18F]F-preconcentration in a PDMS radiopharmacy chip

Microfluidic techniques have demonstrated an important impact on radiochemical reactions for Positron Emission Tomography (PET), due to smaller reaction times and precursor quantities. An integrated retention and elution cartridge integrated in a PDMS chip is presented, and experimental results that confirm its operation are provided. It is intended to preconcentrate [18F]Fions in a microfluidic system to produce radiopharmacy drugs for PET imaging. Pre-concentration and subsequent drying of I18FIFions is the first step of the radiotracer production process, and is usually performed via trapping of radioactive fluoride from a solution onto anion exchange cartridges. The fluoride is recovered by elution from the cartridge with high ionic strength salt solutions, in this case K2CO3. In this work Sep-Pak Light Plus QMA resin (60 μm diameter, Waters, USA) are used for made the cartridges. A retention rate of 91-100% and elution rates between 94 and 97% are obtained.