Purification method
A diagnostic imaging agent useful for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging as well as to improved hardware for producing such imaging agents is described. Flutemetamol ( 18 F) Injection for the imaging of β-amyloid plaques in the brain and methods and devices for preparing same are described including the automated synthesis and purification of [ 18 F]flutemetamol by means of solid phase extraction (SPE).
1. A cassette for use in an automated radiosynthesis apparatus comprising:
(i) a vessel containing a crude product reaction mixture comprising [18F]flutemetamol;
(ii) a first reverse phase solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge;
(iii) means for washing and eluting said first reverse phase SPE cartridge;
(iv) a normal phase SPE cartridge;
(v) a second reverse phase SPE cartridge; and
(vi) means for rinsing and eluting said second reverse phase SPE cartridge.
2. The cassette according to claim 1 wherein said first reverse phase SPE cartridge and said second reverse phase SPE cartridge are each a C30 SPE cartridge.
3. The cassette according to claim 2 wherein said first reverse phase SPE cartridge and said second reverse phase SPE cartridge are each pre-conditioned with acetonitrile and water.