A Computerized Radiochromatographic System For Radiopharmaceutical Quality Control

Abstract

An automated system for the determination of radiochemical composition of microcurie samples of medical radionuclides and/or radiopharmaceutical preparations is described. The system incorporates a multichannel analyzer, a NaI (Tl) detector, a lead collimator, a motor-driven rack, and associated electronic components to provide a fast, accurate, and reproducible method for the identification of radiochemical species. When analyzing a radiochromatogram, the system provides both graphic and hard-copy qualitative and quantitative information. The system is applicable to the needs of most nuclear medicine and radiochemistry laboratories, is easy to operate, reduces radiation exposure to personnel, enhances versatility, and decreases the time required to perform radiochemical quality control tests. Results indicate this system provides better analytical data than the strip-counting technique and comparable quality information of more expensive systems.