Marking Process of Molecules for the Health Sector Using a Hot Cell | Chapter 10 | Challenging Issues on Environment and Earth Science Vol. 4

 The Nuclear Center of Mexico's (ININ) Radioisotopes Production Plant prepares weekly radiopharmaceuticals such as sodium iodohippurate and metaiodobenzylguanidine, which are known as labeled molecules. The processes for preparing these compounds are done separately, that is, a different marking process is used for each compound, and they are done in a glove box. Because of the way these processes work, they pose radiological safety risks, as well as difficulties in manipulating each process because they are done manually. That is, the process operator manually introduces radioactive material, non-radioactive chemical compounds, and laboratory material such as lead shielding disposable syringes, vials containing reagents, and other devices; there is no device to replace the operator's hands such as manipulators, pistons, or vacuum systems, which can automate processes to some extent. To address these shortcomings, this work demonstrates a semi-automated equipment in which the preparation processes for the three compounds can be carried out, i.e., the sodium iodohippurate and metaiodobenzylguanidine are obtained in the same equipment, and the equipment is located in a hot environment. The team will work semi-automatically so that the personnel in charge of labeling molecules are exposed to as little radiation as possible. The routine industrial production with this equipment begins with the preparation of 9 marked doses of sodium iodohippurate containing 2.73 mCi of iodine-131, each vial containing 4.5 mL of saline solution and a vial cap. 0.5 mL product containing the indicated molecules at a marked percentage of 95.6 percent. This study is novel in that it introduces a new design of equipment for identifying molecules, which includes electrical, mechanical, vacuum, and air extraction systems.

Author (s) Details

Dr. José Alanis Morales
Department of Radioactive Waste, Nuclear Center of México, ININ, Ocoyoacac Edo. de México 52750, México.

Hector Flores
Department of Chemical Analyses, Nuclear Center of México, ININ, Ocoyoacac Edo. de México 52750, México.

Simón de la Cruz
Department of Automation, Nuclear Center of México, ININ, Ocoyoacac Edo. de México 52750, México.

José Carlos Vázquez
Department Manufacture of Prototypes, Nuclear Center of México, ININ, Ocoyoacac Edo. de México 52750, México.

View Book :- https://stm.bookpi.org/CIEES-V4/article/view/1629