Method for the chemical separation of GE-68 from its daughter Ga-68

A generator apparatus for separating a daughter gallium-68 radioisotope substantially free of impurities from a parent germanium-68 radioisotope, the apparatus comprising:

• a first resin-containing column containing parent germanium-68 radioisotope and daughter gallium-68 radioisotope;
• a source of first eluent connected to said first resin-containing column for separating daughter gallium-68 radioisotope from the first resin-containing column, said first eluent including citric acid whereby the separated gallium-68 is in the form of gallium citrate;
• a mixing space connected to said first resin-containing column for admixing a source of hydrochloric acid with said separated gallium citrate whereby gallium citrate is converted to gallium tetrachloride;
• a second resin-containing column in connection with said mixing space for retention of gallium-68 tetrachloride as said gallium tetrachloride is passed therethrough;
• a source of second eluent consisting essentially of water or a weak buffer solution connected to said second resin-containing column for eluting the daughter gallium-68 radioisotope from said second resin-containing column for subsequent labeling of target molecules;
• and,
• a source of third eluent comprising a chelator at a predetermined pH connected to said second resin-containing column for eluting the daughter gallium-68 radioisotope from said second resin-containing column in the form of a chelated gallium-68 for subsequent imaging applications.