Methods and apparatus for continuous large-scale radiolabeling

A continuous mode apparatus for radiolabeling a molecule, said apparatus comprising:

• a reaction chamber or tube comprising a first end and a second end;
• a first reagent vessel fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a first reagent tubing, said first reagent tubing connected to a pump that moves fluid through said apparatus to achieve substantially continuous flow of fluid through said apparatus;
• a second reagent vessel fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a second reagent tubing, said second reagent tubing connected to said pump;
• a third reagent vessel fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a third reagent tubing, said reagent tubing connected to said pump;
• and
• at least a first purification unit comprising an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said purification unit fluidly connected to said second end of said reaction chamber or tube;
• wherein said purification unit comprises a capture agent that captures an unattached or free radioactive label and an unattached or free molecule on the basis of size, charge or affinity, but allows a radiolabeled molecule to pass through.

A continuous mode apparatus for radiolabeling a molecule, said apparatus comprising:

• a reaction chamber or tube comprising a first end and a second end;
• a first reagent vessel fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a first reagent tubing, said first reagent tubing connected to a first pump that moves fluid through said apparatus to achieve substantially continuous flow of fluid through said apparatus;
• a second reagent vessel fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a second reagent tubing, said second reagent tubing connected to a second pump that moves fluid through said apparatus to achieve substantially continuous flow of fluid through said apparatus;
• a third reagent vessel fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a third reagent tubing, said reagent tubing connected to a third pump that moves fluid through said apparatus to achieve substantially continuous flow of fluid through said apparatus;
• at least a first purification unit comprising an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said purification unit fluidly connected to said second end of said reaction chamber or tube;
• wherein said purification unit comprises a capture agent that captures an unattached or free radioactive label and an unattached or free molecule on the basis of size, charge or affinity, but allows a radiolabeled molecule to pass through.

A continuous mode apparatus for radiolabeling a molecule with an oxidizable radioactive label, comprising:

• a reaction chamber or tube comprising a first end and a second end;
• a first reagent vessel containing an oxidizing agent;
• wherein said first reagent vessel is fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a first reagent tubing, said first reagent tubing passing through at least a first pump;
• a second reagent vessel containing said molecule;
• wherein said second reagent vessel is fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a second reagent tubing, said second reagent tubing passing through a pump;
• a third reagent vessel containing said oxidizable radioactive label;
• wherein said third reagent vessel is fluidly connected to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube through a third reagent tubing, said third reagent tubing passing through a pump;
• and
• at least a first purification unit comprising an inlet and an outlet, said inlet of said purification unit fluidly connected to said second end of said reaction chamber or tube;
• wherein said purification unit comprises a capture agent that captures an unattached or free oxidizable radioactive label and an unattached or free molecule on the basis of size, charge or affinity, but allows a radiolabeled molecule to pass through;
• wherein said molecule, said oxidizable radioactive label and said oxidizing agent substantially continuously flow through said reaction chamber or tube.

A method of making a continuous mode apparatus for radiolabeling a molecule, said method comprising:

• providing at least a first reagent vessel, a second reagent vessel and a third reagent vessel;
• providing a reaction chamber or tube comprising a first end and a second end;
• providing at least a first pump that moves fluid through said apparatus to achieve substantially continuous flow of fluid through said apparatus;
• providing at least a first purification unit comprising an inlet, an outlet and a capture agent;
• wherein said capture agent is capable of capturing an unattached or free radioactive label and an unattached or free molecule on the basis of size, charge or affinity, but allows a radiolabeled molecule to pass through;
• fluidly connecting said first reagent vessel to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube using a first reagent tubing, said first reagent tubing connected to said at least a first pump;
• fluidly connecting said second reagent vessel to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube using a second reagent tubing, said second reagent tubing connected to a pump;
• fluidly connecting said third reagent vessel to said first end of said reaction chamber or tube using a third reagent tubing, said third reagent tubing connected to a pump;
• and
• fluidly connecting said second end of said reaction tube to said inlet of said purification unit.