Process and apparatus for purifying compositions labeled with technetium-99m.

摘要

Compositions labeled with technetium-99m and suitable for administration to patients are purified by means of a filtration column conveniently in the form of a syringe body (10) purged of oxygen and sealed at its opposite ends. Retained by fluid-passing plugs (14, 16) in the syringe body is a particulate substrate (12) such as cross-linked dextran which is capable of binding reduced technetium (lV oxidation state) and of retaining insoluble technetium moieties such as reduced hydrolysed technetium. The substrate (12) contains a reducing agent prepared in the absence of oxygen and comprising a mixture of colloidal stannous phthalate and an antioxidant such as gentistic acid. In use, a needle is attached to one end of the syringe body in place of one seal and the composition to be purified is drawn therethrough into and through the substrate by means of a second syringe, the needle of which is inserted through a closure seal (20) at the second end of the substrate-containing syringe body.