Abstract: An evaporator and concentrator in a reactor and loading system concentrates ions such as fluoride ions in some embodiments, and evaporates micro- to milliliter volumes of liquid solutions including intermediate and final product in other embodiments. It efficiently re-dissolves the evaporated solution generating a product, which is transferred to an external system as desired. The external system may be a micro-fluidic reactor system and/or loading system. The evaporator/concentrator has an input port for introducing liquids and solids. A capillary tube introduces gas, such as nitrogen gas, into a volume of solution contained within a v-vial, which produces an evaporating micro bubbler. A concentric tube, surrounding the capillary tube in some embodiments, introduces gas into the empty volume above the solution inside the v-vial, which is referred to as a vapor sweep. The vapor sweep assists in removing the evaporated solution from the v-vial through a vacuum tube.

Abstract: A microfluidic reactor cartridge having glass capillary tubing wound in a coil and surrounded by a ceramic housing capable use in high temperatures and method for using same. In another embodiment, the microfluidic cartridge is a serpentine reactor cartridge with a serpentine microreactor channel formed in a ceramic housing. The serpentine reactor cartridge has an inlet tube attached to its inlet port and an outlet tube attached to its outlet port. The inlet port is a macro/micro interface and the outlet port is a micro/macro interface useful in gas phase reactions where solids must be used to produce a reactant. The method for using a microfluidic reactor cartridge includes two phases, the first phase for producing a radioactive labeled gas such as methyl iodide and the second phase is a methylation reaction.

Abstract: A modular and reconfigurable multi-stage microreactor cartridge apparatus provides a manifold for removably attaching multiple microfluidic components such as microreactors. The microfluidic components are attached at microfluidic component ports having two input/output terminals, which microfluidic component ports are connected via connections internal to the manifold to other microfluidic component ports providing a microfluidic circuit. The microfluidic component may be a microfluidic circuit plug-in or a cartridge having a mounting block with two input/output terminals and a fastener aperture and fluidic tubing having a first and second transport portion and a body portion, the three portions being disposed in substantially parallel planes and the body portion being would in a coil around a spool. The coil is connected to the mounting block by either epoxy protector or L-bracket.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple batches of a radiopharmaceutical, such as FDG. The method includes the steps of transferring the appropriate liquids to a production apparatus, processing the liquids to produce the radiopharmaceutical, delivering the radiopharmaceutical to a container, automatically cleaning the apparatus, and repeating the previous steps, as desired. The apparatus for multi-batch production of FDG includes a reagent delivery system, a reaction vessel, a filter assembly, and a control system. The combination of these components provides a method that is capable of producing multiple batches of a radiopharmaceutical with minimal operator intervention and, consequently, minimal radiation exposure.

Abstract: A modular and reconfigurable multi-stage microreactor cartridge apparatus provides a manifold for removably attaching multiple microfluidic components such as microreactors. The microfluidic components are attached at microfluidic component ports having two input/output terminals, which microfluidic component ports are connected via connections internal to the manifold to other microfluidic component ports providing a microfluidic circuit. The microfluidic component may be a microfluidic circuit plug-in or a cartridge having a mounting block with two input/output terminals and a fastener aperture and fluidic tubing having a first and second transport portion and a body portion, the three portions being disposed in substantially parallel planes and the body portion being would in a coil around a spool. The coil is connected to the mounting block by either epoxy protector or L-bracket.

Abstract: A modular and reconfigurable multi-stage microreactor cartridge apparatus provides a manifold for removably attaching multiple microfluidic components such as microreactors. The microfluidic components are attached at microfluidic component ports having two input/output terminals, which microfluidic component ports are connected via connections internal to the manifold to other microfluidic component ports providing a microfluidic circuit. The microfluidic component may be a microfluidic circuit plug-in or a cartridge having a mounting block with two input/output terminals and a fastener aperture and fluidic tubing having a first and second transport portion and a body portion, the three portions being disposed in substantially parallel planes and the body portion being would in a coil around a spool. The coil is connected to the mounting block by either epoxy protector or L-bracket.

Abstract: A microfluidic reactor cartridge having glass capillary tubing wound in a coil and surrounded by a ceramic housing capable use in high temperatures and method for using same. In another embodiment, the microfluidic cartridge is a serpentine reactor cartridge with a serpentine microreactor channel formed in a ceramic housing. The serpentine reactor cartridge has an inlet tube attached to its inlet port and an outlet tube attached to its outlet port. The inlet port is a macro/micro interface and the outlet port is a micro/macro interface useful in gas phase reactions where solids must be used to produce a reactant. The method for using a microfluidic reactor cartridge includes two phases, the first phase for producing a radioactive labeled gas such as methyl iodide and the second phase is a methylation reaction.

Abstract: A modular and reconfigurable multi-stage microreactor cartridge apparatus provides a manifold for removably attaching multiple microfluidic components such as microreactors. The microfluidic components are attached at microfluidic component ports having two input/output terminals, which microfluidic component ports are connected via connections internal to the manifold to other microfluidic component ports providing a microfluidic circuit. The microfluidic component may be a microfluidic circuit plug-in or a cartridge having a mounting block with two input/output terminals and a fastener aperture and fluidic tubing having a first and second transport portion and a body portion, the three portions being disposed in substantially parallel planes and the body portion being would in a coil around a spool. The coil is connected to the mounting block by either epoxy protector or L-bracket.

Abstract: A beta detector assembly for use in the synthesis and analysis of radiopharmaceuticals, such as in microfluidic radiochromatography. The beta detector assembly includes a base, preferably fabricated from glass so as to take advantage of electroosmotic flow, that serves as the body of the beta detector assembly. A microfluidic channel passes through the length of the base. A solid-state charge particle detector, for detecting beta particles, is provided and is positioned with respect to the base so as to receive beta particles. A portion of the base is disposed between the microfluidic channel and the solid-state charge particle detector and has a thickness that is selected to substantially allow transmission of beta particles there thru for detection by the charge particle detector. In one embodiment, the base is fabricated of glass. In another embodiment, the base is fabricated of silicon such that the base and the solid-state charge particle detector are integral.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for preparation of radiochemicals wherein the reaction that couples the radioactive isotope to the reactive precursor to form a positron-emitting molecular imaging probe is performed in a microfluidic environment.

Abstract: A method of producing multiple batches of a radiopharmaceutical, such as FDG. The method includes the steps of transferring the appropriate liquids to a production apparatus, processing the liquids to produce the radiopharmaceutical, delivering the radiopharmaceutical to a container, automatically cleaning the apparatus, and repeating the previous steps, as desired. The apparatus for multi-batch production of FDG includes a reagent delivery system, a reaction vessel, a filter assembly, and a control system. The combination of these components provides a method that is capable of producing multiple batches of a radiopharmaceutical with minimal operator intervention and, consequently, minimal radiation exposure.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing radionuclides which generally includes a reaction vessel and a block. The reaction vessel includes a test tube and a cover secured to a top portion of the test tube. The cover defines at least one opening for receiving an input tube therethrough such that raw materials, reagents, gases and products can be introduced into or removed from the test tube. The block defines a vessel receptacle, an upper temperature changing means and a lower temperature changing means. The vessel receptacle defines an upper zone and a lower zone and is configured to receive the reaction vessel therein in a manner such that an upper zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and an inner wall of the vessel receptacle in the upper zone. Likewise, a lower zone space is defined between an exterior of the reaction vessel and inner wall of the vessel receptacle in the lower zone.

Abstract: A triple epicyclic differential transmission for converting three parallel inputs to three orthogonal outputs. The triple epicyclic differential transmission includes three input shaft/pinion assemblies and a ring gear assembly which includes three ring gear pairs--each pair driven by an input shaft/pinion assembly in an epicyclic manner. An outer structure assembly is rotatably mounted to the ring gear assembly and an idle pulley assembly is pivotably mounted to the outer structure assembly. An output pulley assembly is rotatably mounted to the idle pulley assembly and driven by the ring gear assembly via the idle pulley assembly.

Abstract: A hybrid differential transmission for converting two parallel inputs to two orthogonal outputs. The hybrid differential transmission includes two input shafts, an internal structure assembly which includes two ring pulleys, one each driven by an input shaft, an outer structure assembly rotatably mounted to the internal structure assembly and an output pulley assembly which is secured to the outer structure assembly. The output pulley assembly includes two output pulleys each of which are driven by one the ring pulleys.