We have developed a range of flow cells to carry out flow chemistry. These are usually fabricated in glass due to its chemical and temperature resistance. We have long serpentine channels as well as parallel branched channel systems and systems for droplet microfluidics.
On-chip production of radiotracers for PET imaging
Microfluidic devices offer benefits for PET radiotracer synthesis, allowing for quicker and more efficient reactions and so less radioactive decay. The small volumes handled on-chip mean less radiation and less waste, lowering shielding requirements. There are a wide variety of devices available for many different parts of preparation, ranging from purification of radionuclides to radiotracer synthesis and quality control.
Example of a microfluidic device employed for the production of 68Ga radiotracers utilised in the group of Prof. Steve Archibald at the PET Research Centre at the University of Hull. The 68Ga needs to embedded within a complexing agent such as DOTA to allow specific targeting within the body. b allow this reaction to occur in minutes. Mixing is enhanced through the incorporation of herringbone mixing features.
Regenerable anion exchange chips. As part of the EU-funded Radiochemistry on Chip (ROC) project, we developed modules for trapping of 18F radionuclide. The chips featured a flow through chamber packed with functionalised silica and polystyrene beads. This allowed over 20 trap-and-release cycles to occur with no significant loss of capacity with a single cycle requiring 6 minutes. Publication: F. De Leonardis et. al., J. Chromatogr., 2011, 1218, 4714
Combined 18F-FGD synthesis system. We collaborated with other professionals across Europe to produce a multi-chip system for 18F-FDG synthesis. This consisted of four modules for isolation, radiolabelling, solvent exchange and base hydrolysis (Modules 1 through 4 respectively). Modules 2 and 4 operated under elevated temperature. Enough 18F-FDG was collected after 19 minutes of operation for one dose. Publication: V. Arima et. al., Lab Chip, 2013, 13, 2328
Lab-on-a-Chip Fabrication Facility 