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Review
. 2010 Aug;9(4):175-91.

Microfluidics for positron emission tomography probe development

Ming-Wei Wang  1 , Wei-Yu Lin, Kan Liu, Michael Masterman-Smith, Clifton Kwang-Fu Shen
Affiliations
Review

Microfluidics for positron emission tomography probe development

Ming-Wei Wang et al. Mol Imaging. 2010 Aug.

Abstract

Owing to increased needs for positron emission tomography (PET), high demands for a wide variety of radiolabeled compounds will have to be met by exploiting novel radiochemistry and engineering technologies to improve the production and development of PET probes. The application of microfluidic reactors to perform radiosyntheses is currently attracting a great deal of interest because of their potential to deliver many advantages over conventional labeling systems. Microfluidics-based radiochemistry can lead to the use of smaller quantities of precursors, accelerated reaction rates, and easier purification processes with greater yield and higher specific activity of desired probes. Several proof-of-principle examples along with the basics of device architecture and operation and the potential limitations of each design are discussed. Along with the concept of radioisotope distribution from centralized cyclotron facilities to individual imaging centers and laboratories ("decentralized model"), an easy-to-use, stand-alone, flexible, fully automated, radiochemical microfluidic platform can provide simpler and more cost-effective procedures for molecular imaging using PET.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic illustration of two PET probe distribution models: (1) centralized model for delivery of PET probes; (2) decentralized mode for delivery of radioisotopes.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Schematic illustration of T-shape microreactor via [11C] methylation and [18F]fluoroethylation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
(a) Schematic illustration of microfluidic reactor based on microtube for 11Ccarbonylation and (b) amide formation reactions via a 11C-carbonylative cross coupling reaction.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Schematic illustration of two continuous flow microfluidic (a) polycarbonate based and (b) glass-based microreactor for [18F]FDG synthesis.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Batch reactor-based integrated microfluidic reactor for [18F]FDG Synthesis. (a) Schematic representation of a PDMS-based microfluidic reactor used in the production of [18F]FDG. (b) Four sequential steps of the [18F]FDG production performed in this device: (A) F-18 concentration. (B) drying/water evaporation. (C) [18F]fluorination. (D) deprotection.
Scheme 1
Scheme 1
Radiochemical synthesis of 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]FDG).
Scheme 2
Scheme 2
Radiochemical synthesis of N-[18F]fluoroacetyl-N-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-phenoxyaniline 12, 2-[18F]fluoro-N-(2-phenoxyphenyl)acetamide 13, [18F]Fallypride 14 and 3-[18F]fluoro-5-[(2-(fluoromethyl)thiazol-4-yl]ethynyl]benzonitrile ([18F]SP203B, 16 ) using a continuous-flow microreactor.
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