Automatic synthesis apparatus for 11C-fatty acids

Such short-lived nuclides as 11C, 13N and 15O for nuclear-medicine diagnosis are produced with the in-house cyclotrons in hospitals. After the production, their compounds are synthesized, and used for diagnosis immediately. Of these nuclides, 11C with relatively long half-life is the most useful. In the synthesis of its compounds, first the rapid procedure is required. Then, the start from large quantity of radioactivity is frequently carried out to secure the activity sufficient for the imaging of organs. Therefore, the synthesis must be conducted by remote operation for the radiation protection of personnel. The development of an automatic synthesis apparatus for labeled-compounds is made along this line. Taking up the case of 11C-fatty acids, the following matters are described: synthetic reactions, the synthesis of 11C-fatty acids, an automatic synthesis apparatus for 11C-fatty acid made for trial, and applications. (J.P.N.)