A simple device for efficient transfer and unit dose packaging of Xe-127: concise communication

Area of Science:

• Medical Physics
• Radiopharmacy
• Nuclear Medicine

Background:

• Accurate and efficient handling of radioactive gases like Xenon-127 (Xe-127) is crucial for nuclear medicine imaging.
• Existing methods for gas transfer may be costly or inefficient, impacting clinical workflow and patient dose accuracy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate an inexpensive and efficient system for transferring Xe-127 gas from manufacturer ampules to individual patient dose vials.
• To assess the transfer efficiency, accuracy, reproducibility, and stability of Xe-127 in the prepared vials.

Main Methods:

• A novel gas displacement system utilizing an aqueous solution was designed for Xe-127 transfer.
• Initial transfer from ampule to a stock serum vial, followed by transfer to individual dose vials.
• Efficiency, accuracy, reproducibility, and stability of Xe-127 in vials were quantified.

Main Results:

• Transfer efficiency from ampule to stock vial exceeded 99%.
• Total Xe-127 recovery in individual dose vials surpassed 98%.
• Activity delivery accuracy was within 90-110% of calculated values, with excellent reproducibility (95-105% of mean).
• Xe-127 stability was high, with only 6% absorbed by the rubber stopper after 5 weeks.

Conclusions:

• The developed system provides an inexpensive (<$25.00), efficient, and reproducible method for preparing Xe-127 patient doses.
• This system simplifies the handling of Xe-127, enhancing its utility in nuclear medicine imaging.
• The device is easily constructed from common laboratory materials, making it accessible for widespread use.