Procedure for elution
The
procedures:
First the generator will be removed from its shipping container (unwrapping) and placed in an appropriate area in the laboratory.
A sterile
isotonic saline solution must be provided for the elution step. In most designs
the eluent will be obtained from a standard septum vial by attaching the vial
to the generator using the inlet spike provided for this purpose. In this
latter design there will be a set procedure to maintain sterility of the
system, which will involve wiping the elution vial with an alcohol swab and
allowing it to dry, then uncovering the inlet spike on the generator
and attaching the vial by piercing the spike into the vial.
A sterile elution vial is prepared. The eluate vial is placed in a suitable shield to absorb the radiation from the 99mTc activity. The septum is wiped with an alcohol swab and allowed to dry.
Removing a protective cap exposes the elution port
and generally a fresh sterile needle is placed on the elution port for this and
each subsequent elution. The elution vial in its shield is then pushed down
onto the elution needle fully piercing the septum. The vacuum in the elution
vial causes the saline to be drawn through the generator column thereby eluting
the 99mTc activity.
The elution
vial in its shield is removed from the generator and the elution needle can be
capped or protected or replaced with a fresh sterile needle. If the generator
uses an eluent vial this will be left on the inlet needle until the next
elution.
The vial is taken for activity assay and quality control tests of the eluted 99mTc before being released for dispensing or use in the preparation of various 99mTc radiopharmaceuticals.
Adequate radiation shielding must be maintained at all times.
Based on IAEA Human Health Campus