The preparation of oxygen-14 for biomedical use

Method for the production of 14O with a radiochemical purity of 99.9% in quantities sufficient for biomedical use has been developed. Apparatus for the purification, analysis, dilution, and delivery of the product in a breathing mixture at steady levels has been constructed and proven in use. The proper selection of window and target thickness to reduce contaminating activities eliminated the requirement to separate oxygen from nitrogen. A single pass system separating 11C as 11CO2 and 11CO after conversion to 11CO2 was developed which regularly demonstrated a decontamination factor of 1000. (author)