Technical Parameters Associated with Miniaturized Chromatography Systems

Abstract

The technical parameters associated with miniaturized chromatography systems for several Tc-99m preparations were evaluated. These parameters included effects of radiopharmaceutical spot size; effects of drying time between spotting and strip development; technologist’s degree of chromatographic experience; and effect of incorrect strip counting on the radiochemical evaluation of Tc-99m radiopharmaceuticals. Results indicate that small radiopharmaceutical samples (2 μl) should be spotted on the chromatography strips and these strips should then be developed immediately. A technologist’s degree of chromatographic experience has little effect on the radiochemical evaluation of the radiopharmaceuticals as long as the proper procedure is used. Incorrect counting of the sectioned chromatography strips produces large errors in the radiochemical evaluation of a specific Tc-99m radiopharmaceutical.