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`of more eluate containing the daughter radioisotope, which is being produced in the generator
`
`12 from decay of the parent radioisotope. As set forth above, this process of collecting eluate
`may be referred to as "milking the cow," i.e., milking the generator 12.
`[0024] An elution process. such as that discussed above, being performed by the
`radioisotope elution system 1 O can be started or stopped by blocking and/or unblocking
`
`certain flow paths (e.g., the eluent input line 29, the supply vent line 31, and/or the eluate
`
`output line 33) in the elution system 10. This blocking and unblocking may be achieved using
`
`the first and second electronic pinch valves 22, 24 to block and unblock flow lines 26 in the
`elution system 10. For example, in the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 1, the first electronic
`
`pinch valve 22 may be disposed on the tubing 26 extending between the generator 12 and the
`
`eluate collection bottle 20 (i.e., the eluate output line 33). Accordingly, by closing (e.g.,
`
`activating constriction components) the first electronic pinch valve 22, which may externally
`
`squeeze the resilient tubing 26 to a closed position, eluate may be substantially or entirely
`
`prevented from being drawn into the eluate collection bottle 20 by the suction therein. By
`
`reopening (e.g., releasing the constriction components) the first electronic pinch valve 22,
`which allows the resilient tubing 26 to expand, flow may be reinitiated. Additionally, the
`second electronic pinch valve 24 may be disposed on tubing 26 between the eluate collection
`bottle 20 and a collection bottle vent 34. The tubing 26 between the eluate collection bottle 20
`
`and the collection bottle vent 34 may be referred to as the collection vent line 35, the eluate
`
`vent line 35, or the output vent line 35. This second electronic pinch valve 24 may control flow
`
`of air or gas at a standard pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) into the eluate collection
`
`bottle 20. Because the elution system 10 may be driven by the suction created by the vacuum
`in the eluate collection bottle 20, normalizing the eluate collection bottle 20 by opening the
`
`second electronic pinch valve 24 may stop the elution process. In some embodiments, as
`
`illustrated in FIG. 1, to stop the elution process, the first electronic pinch valve 22 may be
`closed in conjunction with opening the second electronic pinch valve 24. In other
`
`embodiments, different valve arrangements may be utilized to start and stop flow. as
`discussed in detail below. It should be noted that while two electronic pinch valves are
`represented, other embodiments may utilize a single electronic pinch valve or multiple
`
`electronic pinch valves to control elution and reduce radiation exposure. It should further be
`
`noted that in some embodiments the elution system 10 may be driven by increasing pressure
`
`(e.g., via a pump) in certain portions of the system 10 to drive the elution, rather than driving
`the elution with a vacuum in the collection portion of the system 10.
`[0025] Various benefits arise from utilizing the electronic pinch valves 22. 24 in a
`radioisotope elution system in accordance with various embodiments. For example, a user
`
`can substantially avoid or reduce potential exposure to the radioactive substances utilized in
`the elution process by activating or deactivating (e.g., opening and closing the valves)
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`remotely. Indeed, the user can stand a great enough distance away from the elution system
`
`10 to eliminate any potential effects of radiation from system 10. This may be achieved by
`utilizing a remote control unit 38 that communicatively couples to remote electronic control
`
`connectors 40 on one or both of the valves 22, 24 via a remote electronic control lead 42.
`
`Additionally, the fact that the electronic pinch valves 22, 24 are configured to squeeze the
`
`tubing 26 to stop flow may allow for reuse of the valves 22, 24, because the electronic pinch
`
`valves 22, 24 may avoid contamination from direct contact with radioactive material in the
`system 10. In other words, the eluent and eluate containing the daughter radioisotope may be
`
`generally contained within the generator 12, bottles 18, 20, and tubing 26, rather than directly
`passing through the valves 22, 24. Further, the arrangement of the valves in the elution
`
`system 10 may substantially reduce the potential for spillage. For example, in a typical elution
`
`system, removing the collection bottle 20 may result in a certain amount of eluate leakage
`
`from the outlet needle 32. A higher likelihood of leakage may exist when a vacuum remains in
`the collection bottle 20 at the time of removal. Specifically, for example, the collection bottle
`
`20 may be utilized for a partial elution, and, when the partial elution is complete, the bottle 20
`may retain a vacuum. Thus, upon removing a lid 36 or elution assembly 16, and retrieving the
`
`collection bottle 20 from the outlet needle 32, a certain amount of eluate may be pulled out of
`
`the outlet needle 32 and onto other portions of the elution system 1 O or potentially elsewhere.
`The risk of such spillage and the related radiation exposure may be eliminated or substantially
`
`reduced by normalizing the collection bottle 20 and blocking eluate flow using the electronic
`
`pinch valves 22, 24. It should be noted that certain embodiments may incorporate automatic
`delays between opening and closing particular valves to facilitate flow or to generally prevent
`spills.
`
`[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagrammatical view of an embodiment of a
`radioisotope elution system 10 including electronic pinch valves 22, 24. Specifically, FIG. 2
`depicts internal components of the elution system 10 that may include the generator 12, the
`
`eluent supply bottle 18, the eluate collection bottle 20, the tubing 26, the vent 30, the vent 34,
`the first electronic pinch valve 22, and the second electronic pinch valve 24. The illustrated
`embodiment also may include check valves 102 disposed along the tubing 26 and arranged to
`generally prevent or reduce the potential for backflow in the system 10. Further, the illustrated
`
`embodiment includes the remote control unit 38 communicatively coupled to the remote
`electronic control connectors 40 of the valves 22,24 via the remote electronic control lead 42.
`
`It should be noted that some embodiments do not include any check valves 102.
`[0027] While other electronic valve types may be utilized, FIG. 2 depicts the electronic
`pinch valves 22, 24 as solenoid valves. A solenoid valve may be defined as an
`
`electromechanical valve that is controlled by running (or not running) an electrical current
`through a solenoid (i.e., a loop of wire which produces a magnetic field when current is
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`passed through it), which changes the state (i.e., open or closed) of the valve. For example,
`
`by closing circuits 104 and 106, a coil in each of the electronic pinch valves 22, 24 may be
`
`caused to produce a magnetic field, thus causing the electronic pinch valves 22, 24 to open or
`
`close depending on the configuration. This may be achieved remotely using the remote
`
`control unit 38. The electronic pinch valves 22, 24 may be biased open or closed in a fail-safe
`
`state by a spring (e.g., a resilient coil or resilient tubing). For example, the electronic pinch
`valves 22, 24 may be biased open by the tubing 26 itself, which is in a compressed state
`
`when the electronic pinch valves 22, 24 are closed.
`[0028) As discussed above with respect to FIG. 1, the arrangement of the electronic
`
`pinch valves 22, 24 in FIG. 2 may directly stop flow of eluate to the collection bottle 20 by
`
`sealing the tubing 26 downstream from the generator 12, between the generator 12 and the
`
`collection bottle 20 (i.e., the eluate output line 33), and indirectly stop eluate flow by
`normalizing the collection bottle 20 with the atmosphere by controlling the collection vent line
`
`35. In one embodiment, this may be achieved using a single valve, as illustrated in FIG. 3.
`
`Specifically, FIG. 3 illustrates a dual action electronic pinch valve 110 that includes a first
`
`adjustable receptacle 112 and a second adjustable receptacle 114. The electronic pinch
`
`valve 11 O may be configured to close the first adjustable receptacle 112 in coordination with
`
`opening the second adjustable receptacle 114 and vice versa. For example, the tubing 26
`
`between the generator 12 and the collection bottle 20 may be placed in the first adjustable
`
`receptacle 112 and the tubing 26 between the vent 34 and the collection bottle 20 may be
`
`placed in the second adjustable receptacle 114. When the electronic pinch valve 11 O is
`actuated, it may open the first adjustable receptacle 112 and close the second adjustable
`
`receptacle 114 to facilitate flow of eluate into the collection bottle 20. Alternatively, the
`electronic pinch valve 110 may close the first adjustable receptacle 112 and open the second
`
`adjustable receptacle 114 to prevent eluate flow into the collection bottle 20. This actuation
`may be facilitated by a biasing spring that is disposed within the valve and that biases the
`
`electronic pinch valve 110 toward a fail-safe position. Further, the actuation may be controlled
`by opening or closing a circuit 116 that provides electrical current to an activating mechanism
`
`(e.g., a solenoid) in the electronic pinch valve 110.
`[0029] FIG. 4 is a perspective diagrammatical view of another embodiment of a
`radioisotope elution system 10 including electronic pinch valves 22, 24. Much like FIG. 2, the
`embodiment of FIG. 4 depicts internal components of the elution system 10, which may
`
`include the generator 12, the eluent supply bottle 18, the eluate collection bottle 20, the tubing
`26, the vent 30, the first electronic pinch valve 22, and the second electronic pinch valve 24.
`
`The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 may also include check valves 102 disposed along the
`
`tubing 26 that prevent backflow in the system 10. Further, the embodiment illustrated by FIG.
`
`4 may also include the remote control unit 38. However, in contrast to the embodiment
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`illustrated by FIG. 2, the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4 includes the second electronic pinch
`
`valve 24 disposed on the tubing between the vent 30 and the eluent supply bottle 18 (i.e .. the
`
`supply vent line 31 ). By disposing the second electronic valve 24 in this location, suction can
`
`be created in the eluent supply bottle 18. For example, the second electronic pinch valve 24
`can be closed as eluent flows out of the eluent supply bottle 18 to stop an elution process. By
`
`closing the second electronic valve 24 in this embodiment, flow into the eluent supply bottle 18
`may be substantially blocked or restricted as liquid pressures equalize on input and output
`sides of the generator 12. Thus, volume lost as the eluent flows out of the eluent supply bottle
`
`18 and into the generator 12 is not replaced. This may initially create suction or back
`
`pressure in the eluent supply bottle 18 and, thus, prevent further flow of eluent out of the
`
`eluent supply bottle 18 and into the generator 12. In other words, closing the second
`electronic pinch valve 24 over the tubing 26 between the vent 30 and the eluent supply bottle
`
`18 (i.e., the supply vent line 31) may result in stopping an elution process as the elution
`system becomes closed upstream and the pressures equalize. Additionally, in the illustrated
`
`embodiment, the first electronic pinch valve 22 is disposed on the tubing between the
`generator 12 and the collection bottle 20 (i.e., the eluate output line 33). This valve 22 may
`
`also be closed, which may directly prevent or reduce the potential for the eluate to flow into
`the collection bottle 20 and, thus, generally stop an elution process. In accordance with
`
`present embodiments, these electronic pinch valves 22, 24 may be coordinated or utilized
`
`separately to start and stop an elution process by respectively opening and closing the
`
`electronic pinch valves 22, 24.
`[0030] The embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4 utilizes two separate electronic pinch
`
`valves 22, 24 to squeeze or release the tubing 26 in the elution system to generally block or
`
`facilitate flow in the elution process. Thus. the two electronic pinch valves 22, 24 may be
`
`utilized to control the elution process (e.g., perform partial elutions) and provide added
`
`protection to a user from exposure to radioactive material in the process. In some
`embodiments, it is desirable to create back pressure or initial suction in the eluent supply
`bottle 18 upstream from the generator 12 in conjunction with blocking flow downstream
`between the generator 12 and the collection bottle 20 (i.e., the eluate output line 33). Thus, in
`the embodiment illustrated by FIG. 4, both of the electronic pinch valves 22, 24 may be used
`in upstream and downstream positions relative to the generator 12. However, as illustrated in
`
`FIG. 5, in some embodiments a single valve may be utilized to perform this flow control task.
`
`Specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a dual action electronic pinch valve 202 that includes a first
`adjustable receptacle 204 and a second adjustable receptacle 206. The electronic pinch
`
`valve 202 may be configured to close the first adjustable receptacle 204 in coordination with
`closing the second adjustable receptacle 206 and vice versa. For example, the tubing 26
`
`between the generator 12 and the collection bottle 20 may be placed in the first adjustable
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`receptacle 204 and the tubing 26 between the vent 30 and the eluent supply bottle 18 may be
`
`placed in the second adjustable receptacle 206. In other words, the same electronic pinch
`valve 202 may be coupled to tubing at both upstream and downstream positions relative to the
`
`generator 12. Thus, the same valve 202 may produce goth back pressure via the receptacle
`
`206 and downstream blocking to substantially block flow on both inlet and outlet sides of the
`generator 12. When the electronic pinch valve 202 is actuated, it may open the first
`adjustable receptacle 204 and the second adjustable receptacle 206 or close the receptacles
`
`204, 206 to facilitate or stop flow of eluate into the collection bottle 20, respectively. This
`
`actuation may be controlled by opening or closing a circuit 208 that provides electrical current
`
`to an activating mechanism (e.g., a solenoid) in the electronic pinch valve 202.
`
`[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective diagrammatical view of a further embodiment of a
`radioisotope elution system 10 including electronic pinch valves 22, 24, 302. FIG. 6
`represents an exemplary embodiment that demonstrates that various valve arrangements and
`
`multiple valves may be utilized to control elution processes in accordance with present
`
`embodiments. Much like FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, the embodiment of FIG. 6 depicts internal
`components of the elution system 10, which may include the generator 12, the eluent supply
`
`bottle 18, the eluate collection bottle 20, the tubing 26, the vent 30, the vent 34, the first
`electronic pinch valve 22, and the second electronic pinch valve 24. The embodiment
`
`illustrated in FIG. 6 also may include check valves 102 disposed along the tubing 26 that
`
`generally prevent or reduce the potential for backflow in the system 10. However, the
`embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 is distinct from the embodiments discussed above because it
`includes a third electronic pinch valve 302. The first electronic pinch valve 22 may be
`
`disposed on the tubing 26 between the collection bottle 20 and the vent 34 (i.e., the output
`
`vent line 35). The second electronic pinch valve 24 may be disposed on the tubing 26
`between the generator and the collection bottle 20 (i.e., the eluate collection line 33). The
`
`third electronic pinch valve 302 may be disposed on the tubing 26 between the vent 30 and
`
`the eluent supply bottle 18 (i.e., the input vent line 31 ), and may be actuated by opening or
`
`closing a circuit 304. Each of these valves 22, 24, 302 may be coordinated or utilized
`separately to control the elution process, as discussed above.
`[0032] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary nuclear medicine process 404
`utilizing the radioactive isotope produced by the elution system 10 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-6.
`As illustrated, the process 404 begins with providing a radioactive isotope for nuclear
`
`medicine at block 406. For example; block 406 may include eluting technetium-99m from the
`
`radioisotope generator 12, which is illustrated and described in detail above. Such an elution
`
`may be started and stopped using electronic pinch valves 22, 24, as discussed above. At
`
`block 408, the process 404 proceeds by providing a tagging agent (e.g., an epitope or other
`appropriate biological directing moiety) adapted to target the radioisotope for a specific
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`portion, e.g., an organ, of a patient. At block 410, the process 404 proceeds by combining the
`radioactive isotope with the tagging agent to provide a radiopharmaceutical for nuclear
`medicine. In certain embodiments, the radioactive isotope may have natural tendencies to
`concentrate toward a particular organ or tissue. Thus, the radioactive isotope may be
`characterized as a radiopharmaceutical without adding any supplemental tagging agent. At
`
`block 412, the process 404 may proceed by extracting one or more doses of
`
`radiopharmaceutical into a syringe or another container, such as a container suitable for
`
`administering the radiopharmaceutical to a patient in a nuclear medicine facility or hospital. At
`
`block 414, the process 404 proceeds by injecting or generally administering a dose of the
`radiopharmaceutical into a patient. After a pre-selected time, the process 404 proceeds by
`detecting/imaging the radiopharmaceutical tagged to the patient's organ or tissue (block 416).
`
`For example, block 416 may include using a gamma camera or other radiographic imaging
`device to detect the radiopharmaceutical disposed on or in or bound to tissue of a brain, a
`
`heart, a liver, a tumor, a cancerous tissue, or various other organs or diseased tissue.
`[0033] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an exemplary system 500 for providing a syringe
`or container having a radiopharmaceutical produced in accordance with present embodiments
`disposed therein for use in a nuclear medicine application. As illustrated, the system 500
`includes the radioisotope elution system 10 previously described with regard to FIGS. 1-6,
`wherein electronic pinch valves (e.g., 22, 24) are utilized to control system elutions. The
`
`system 500 also includes a radiopharmaceutical production system 502, which functions to
`
`combine a radioisotope 504 (e.g., technetium-99m eluate acquired through use of the
`
`radioisotope elution system 10) with a tagging agent 506. In some embodiment, this
`radiopharmaceutical production system 502 may refer to or include what are known in the art
`
`as "kits" (e.g., Technescan® kit for preparation of a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical). Again,
`the tagging agent 506 may include a variety of substances that are attracted to or targeted for
`a particular portion (e.g., organ, tissue, tumor, cancer, etc.) of the patient. As a result, the
`radiopharmaceutical production system 502 produces or may be utilized to produce a
`radiopharmaceutical including the radioisotope 504 and the tagging agent 506, as indicated
`
`by block 508. The illustrated system 500 may also include a radiopharmaceutical dispensing
`
`system 510, which facilitates extraction of the radiopharmaceutical into a vial or syringe 512.
`In certain embodiments, the various components and functions of the system 500 are
`
`disposed within a radiopharmacy, which prepares the syringe 512 of the radiopharmaceutical
`for use in a nuclear medicine application. For example, the syringe 512 may be prepared and
`
`delivered to a medical facility for use in diagnosis or treatment of a patient.
`[0034] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary nuclear medicine imaging system
`
`600 utilizing the syringe 512 of radiopharmaceutical provided using the system 500 of FIG. 8.
`
`As illustrated, the nuclear medicine imagining system 600 includes a radiation detector 602
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`having a scintillator 604 and a photo detector 606. In response to radiation 608 emitted from
`
`a tagged organ within a patient 610, the scintillator 604 emits light that is sensed and
`converted to electronic signals by the photo detector 606. The imaging system 600 also can
`
`include a collimator to collimate the radiation 608 directed toward the radiation detector 602.
`
`The illustrated imaging system 600 also may include detector acquisition circuitry 612 and
`
`image processing circuitry 614. The detector acquisition circuitry 612 generally controls the
`acquisition of electronic signals from the radiation detector 602. The image processing
`
`circuitry 614 may be employed to process the electronic signals, execute examination
`protocols, and so forth. The illustrated imaging system 600 also may include a user interface
`
`616 to facilitate user interaction with the image processing circuitry 614 and other components
`of the imaging system 600. As a result, the imaging system 600 produces an image 618 of
`
`the tagged organ within the patient 610. Again, the foregoing procedures and resulting image
`
`618 directly benefit from the radiopharmaceutical produced by the elution system 10 having
`
`electronic pinch valves as illustrated and described with reference to FIGS. 1-6.
`[0035) A test system including features in accordance with present embodiments was
`tested for 12 months review. Specifically, the test system contained two pinch valves and an
`
`adjusted generator system. The pinch valves were operated by an electronic switch device,
`which was setup in two consecutive circuits. A first circuit corresponded to "elution" and a
`
`second circuit corresponded to "elution break off," and off. The components of the test system
`
`included an ULTRA TECHNEKOW (UTK) elution system {TYCO part number: E6-11273),
`
`which is a Technetium generator, with inactive aluminum oxide columns (TYCO part number:
`E6-11271), an OMNIFIT pinch valve (BIO-CHEM VALVE INC. part number: 075P2NC12-
`
`01S), and a 12V power supply.
`[0036] Several tests were performed using the test system. The materials utilized in
`the tests included a UTK eluent 100ml (TYCO part number: NS-70497), a technevial 11ml
`(TYCO part number: NG-11571) and a stopwatch. The results of these tests indicated that the
`
`test system was comparable with existing systems. The details of each of the tests are set
`forth below.
`[0037] In a first test (Test 1), an elution was initiated by placing a UTK eluent 100ml
`
`and a technevial 11 ml (e.g., vacuum vial 20) on the elution system. Upon positioning the
`eluent and technevial, the test system's switch was set to "elution." The time span between
`
`switching and elution was measured. That is, the amount of time between activating the
`switch to begin the elution and initiation of the actual elution was measured. The test was
`then repeated using a manually operated system with mechanical clamps. These steps were
`repeated and measurements were taken six times for both systems. For each elution, a new
`
`technevial was utilized. The results of these tests are set forth below in Table 1. It should be
`
`noted that in Table 1, "Elution" corresponds to a run number, "Elution (yes/no)" indicates
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`whether the clamp on the generator opened and eluent ran through the system, and "Time"
`represents the amount of time measured between activating the system switch to initiate the
`elution and actual initiation of the elution.
`
`Elution
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`TABLE 1
`Test 1
`Elution (yes/no}
`Elution system with electronic clamps
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Elution svstem with mechanical clamps
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`
`Time (sec)
`
`3.19
`2.06
`2.35
`1.85
`2.25
`1.66
`
`2.78
`2.63
`2.81
`1.72
`1.88
`2.54
`
`[0038] Conventional systems often have issues with tubes sticking together due to the
`pinch force of mechanical clamps. The Time measurement in Table 1 was taken in relation to
`
`this issue. According to the data obtained from Test 1, the electronic clamps appear to have a
`
`comparable performance to that of their mechanical counterparts.
`[0039] In a second test (Test 2), an elution was initiated by placing a UTK eluent
`
`100ml and a technevial 11 ml on the elution system. The weight of the technevial was
`
`measured in advance. Upon positioning the eluent and technevial on the system, the test
`system's switch was set to "elution." The time span between switching to "elution" and the
`complete fill of the technevial was measured. Further, the weight of the filled technevial was
`measured. The test was then repeated using a manually operated system with mechanical
`clamps. These steps were repeated and measurements were taken six times for both
`
`systems. For each elution, a new technevial was utilized. The results of these tests are set
`
`forth below in Table 2. It should be noted that in Table 2, "Elution" corresponds to a run
`number, "Elution (yes/no)" indicates whether the clamp on the generator opened and eluent
`ran through the system, 'Time" represents a measurement of the amount of time required to
`
`completely fill the vacuum vial (e.g., vacuum vial 20) of the test system, "Weight empty"
`represents the weight of the vacuum vial before elution, "Weight full" represents the weight of
`
`the vacuum vial after elution (e.g., the vial plus the 11ml of eluent), and "Flow" represents a
`
`calculation of eluent flow. The values for "Flow" were calculated by converting the weight (g)
`of the eluent to volume (ml) by dividing the weight by density (1 g/ml) and, then, dividing the
`
`volume (ml) by time (min).
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`Elutio
`n
`
`Elution
`(yes/no)
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`
`TABLE 2
`
`Time
`(sec)
`
`Test2
`Weight full
`Weight
`Weight (g)
`empty (q)
`(Q)
`Elution system with electronic clamps
`12.5177
`23.4041
`10.8864
`42.50
`12.4667
`11.0534
`23.5201
`39.88
`12.2380
`10.9968
`23.2348
`39.78
`12.3931
`23.5329
`11.1398
`40.03
`12.3578
`11.0334
`39.90
`23.3912
`12.3870
`11.0431
`23.4301
`40.22
`Elution system with mechanical clamps
`48.28
`12.4370
`10.8179
`23.2549
`47.21
`12.5231
`23.6062
`11.0831
`46.47
`12.3985
`11.0433
`23.4418
`46.60
`12.4887
`23.5040
`11.0153
`12.4244
`46.16
`11.0352
`23.4596
`47.44
`12.4111
`11.1505
`23.5616
`
`Flow (ml/min)
`
`15.37
`16.63
`16.59
`16.70
`16.59
`16.47
`
`13.44
`14.09
`14.26
`14.18
`14.34
`14.10
`
`[0040] FIG. 10 is a plot illustrating elution time and flow (ml/min) per system. The data
`designated as corresponding to System 1 in FIG. 1 O was obtained from the system with
`electronic pinch valves and the data designated as corresponding to System 2 was obtained
`from the system with mechanical clamps.
`(0041] In a third test (Test 3), an elution was initiated by placing a UTK eluent 100ml
`and a technevial 11 ml on the elution system. The weight of the technevial was measured in
`advance. Upon positioning the eluent and technevial, the test system's switch was set to
`"elution." The time span between switching to "elution" and filling half of the technevial was
`measured. The elution was halted by switching the system to "elution break off." Further, the
`weight of the half-filled technevial was measured. The test was then repeated using a
`manually operated system with mechanical clamps. These steps were repeated and
`
`measurements were taken six times for both systems. For each elution, a new technevial was
`utilized. The results of these tests are set forth below in Table 3. It should be noted that in
`Table 3, "Elution" corresponds to a run number, "Elution (yes/no)" indicates whether the clamp
`on the generator opened and eluent ran through the system, "Elution break off {yes/no}"
`indicates whether the system stopped the elution when the switch was set to "elution break
`off," "Time" represents a measurement of the amount of time between start and break off of
`
`the elution, "Weight empty" represents the weight of the vacuum vial before elution, "Weight
`full" represents the weight of the vacuum vial after partial elution (e.g., the vial plus an amount
`of eluent), "Weight" represents the actual weight of the eluent obtained by subtracting the
`value for "Weight empty" form the value for "Weight full," and "Flow" represents a calculation
`of eluent flow. The values for "Flow" were calculated by converting the weight (g) of the eluent
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`to volume (ml) by dividing the weight by density (1 g/ml) and, then, dividing the volume (ml) by
`
`TABLE 3
`
`Test3
`
`time (min).
`
`Elution
`
`Elution
`(yes/no)
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`1
`2
`3
`4
`5
`6
`
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`Yes
`
`Time
`(sec)
`
`Weight
`empty (g)
`
`Weight Weight
`full (g)
`(g)
`
`Elution
`break off
`(yes/no)
`Elution system with electronic clamps
`15.8461
`Yes
`10.16
`12.4213
`18.671
`Yes
`20.25
`12.4648
`Yes
`30.12
`12.3456
`21.4335
`Yes
`9.87
`15.6264
`12.511
`18.5525
`20.00
`Yes
`12.3681
`Yes
`30.00
`12.442
`21.4569
`Elution system with mechanical clamps
`15.4437
`Yes
`10.00
`12.4073
`Yes
`20.22
`12.4679
`17.625
`Yes
`30.12
`20.1313
`12.5013
`Yes
`10.09
`14.9686
`12.3862
`Yes
`20.28
`12.5122
`17.6431
`30.16
`20.0305
`Yes
`12.4969
`
`Flow
`(ml/min)
`
`20.23
`18.39
`18.10
`18.94
`18.55
`18.03
`
`18.22
`15.30
`15.20
`15.36
`15.18
`14.99
`
`3.4248
`6.2062
`9.0879
`3.1154
`6.1844
`9.0149
`
`3.0364
`5.1571
`7.63
`2.5824
`5.1309
`7.5336
`
`[0042] FIG. 11 is a plot illustrating elution brake off and linearity elution time based on
`the data from Test 3. The data designated as corresponding to System 1 in FIG. 11 was
`obtained from the system with electronic pinch valves and the data designated as
`
`corresponding to System 2 was obtained from the system with mechanical clamps.
`
`[0043] Based on the aforementioned results obtained in Tests 1, 2, and 3 for the test
`system in accordance with present embodiments, present embodiments are comparable in
`operation with a system containing mechanical clamps. However, present embodiments
`facilitate a slightly higher flow. The slightly higher flow obtained with the system containing
`
`electronic pinch valves may be attributed to the improved opening of the pinch valves in
`comparison to that of the mechanical clamps.
`[0044] When introducing elements of the present invention or various embodiments
`thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more
`of the elements. The terms "comprising", "including", and "having" are intended to be inclusive
`and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover,
`
`the use of "top", "bottom'', "above", "below" and variations of these terms is made for
`
`convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components.
`[0045] While embodiments of the present invention may be susceptible to various
`
`modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of
`example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be
`
`understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed.
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`Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within
`the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.
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`WO 2008/066586
`CLAIMS
`
`PCT /US2007 /015566
`
`1.
`
`A radioisotope elution system, comprising:
`
`a flexible radioisotope elution line; and
`
`an electronic pinch valve disposed externally about the flexible radioisotope
`elution line, wherein the electronic pinch valve includes a remote electronic control
`
`connector.
`
`2.
`
`The radioisotope elution system of claim 1 , wherein the radioisotope elution
`
`line comprises an eluent input line, an eluate output line, an input vent line, and an output vent
`line.