Radiosynthesis is a

fully automated synthesis Automated synthesis or automatic synthesis is a set of techniques that use Robotics, robotic equipment to perform chemical synthesis in an automated way. Automating processes allows for higher efficiency and product quality although automation tec ...

method in which radioactive compounds are produced. Radiosynthesis is generally carried out by several nuclear interface modules, which are protected by the

lead shielding Lead shielding refers to the use of lead as a form of radiation protection to shield people or objects from radiation so as to reduce the effective dose. Lead can effectively attenuate certain kinds of radiation because of its high density and ...

and controlled by a computer semi-automatically. The set-ups of modules are different depending on the type of product and synthesis process. Consequently, the modules should be adapted with the synthesis stages. In some cases, such stages of synthesis are carried out manually in order to optimize the radiochemical yield or due to the incompatibility or lack of module.

Module

Radiosynthesis modules consist of following constant components: *

Reservoir A reservoir (; from French ''réservoir'' ) is an enlarged lake behind a dam. Such a dam may be either artificial, built to store fresh water or it may be a natural formation. Reservoirs can be created in a number of ways, including contro ...

: To store reactants *

Pipe Pipe(s), PIPE(S) or piping may refer to: Objects * Pipe (fluid conveyance), a hollow cylinder following certain dimension rules ** Piping, the use of pipes in industry * Smoking pipe ** Tobacco pipe * Half-pipe and quarter pipe, semi-circula ...

: To link all components together *

Valve A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fittings ...

: To manage the flow of liquids * Reactor : To proceed the reaction(s) *

Temperature Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer. Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied o ...

and Radioactivity sensor : To adjust and measure the

temperature Temperature is a physical quantity that expresses quantitatively the perceptions of hotness and coldness. Temperature is measured with a thermometer. Thermometers are calibrated in various temperature scales that historically have relied o ...

and radioactivity * Preparative HPLC : To purify the Product There are also some components which are added based on the synthesis set-up such as stirrers, sterile filters, Sep-Paks™, vials, bottles, detectors etc.. Before every synthesis, the modules should be washed. It should also be mentioned that according to Half-life of radionuclides, a relaxation time is needed between the syntheses in each module. Fig.1 shows the schematic of a sample module. Radiosynthesis modules are often combined with a

cyclotron A cyclotron is a type of particle accelerator invented by Ernest O. Lawrence in 1929–1930 at the University of California, Berkeley, and patented in 1932. Lawrence, Ernest O. ''Method and apparatus for the acceleration of ions'', filed: Janu ...

or other radio nuclide generator.

References

Chemical synthesis {{Chemistry-stub

Module

See also

References