Thomas A. Butler

The191Os/191mIr generator for clinical use

An evaluation of adsorbents for potential use in the191Os/191mIr medical radionuclide generator was performed. The adsorbents included 39 inorganic materials broadly classified as oxides, antimonates, ferro-ferricyanides, phosphates, sulfides, and miscellaneous including activated carbon and the organic anion-exchanger AGMP-1. The uptake of191Os in oxidation states (VI) [potassium tetrachloroosmate], (IV) [potassium hexachloroosmate] and (III) [potassium hexathiocyanatoosmate] was measured. Adsorbents having a high191Os uptake were evaluated for191mIr elution yield using three physiologically compatible eluents. Only activated carbon and AGMP-1 adsorbents showed significant191mIr elution yields under the test conditions (10% and 37%, respectively). The results of these studies suggest that activated carbon may be a promising adsorbent for development of a new191Os/191mIr medical radionuclide generator. Activated carbon is a good candidate for further development since it is inert to the chemical and radiation effects which may effect an organic based ion exchange material such as AGMP-1.

Osmium-191/iridium-191m radionuclide

A generator system to provide iridium-191m for clinical imaging applications comprises an activated carbon adsorbent loaded with a compound containing the parent nuclide, osmium-191. The generator, which has a shelf-life in excess of two weeks and does not require a scavenger column, can be eluted with physiologically compatible saline.