Research article

A computerized Infusion Pump for control of tissue tracer concentration during Positron Emission Tomography in vivo Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic measurements

Olof Eriksson^1,2 , Andreas Wallberg¹ , Stina Syvänen^1,3 , Raymond Josephsson⁴ , Bengt Långström^1,5,6 and Mats Bergström³

¹Uppsala Imanet, Uppsala, Sweden

²Department of Radiology, Oncology and Clinical Immunology, Division of Radiology, Uppsala University, Sweden

³Department of Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Uppsala University, Sweden

⁴Department of Medical sciences, Clinical Virology, Uppsala University, Sweden

⁵Departments of Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry, Uppsala University, Sweden

⁶Uppsala Applied Science Lab, GE healthcare, Uppsala, Sweden

author email corresponding author email

BMC Medical Physics 2008, 8:2doi:10.1186/1756-6649-8-2

Published:	30 May 2008

Abstract

Background

A computer controlled infusion pump (UIPump) for regulation of target tissue concentration of radioactive compounds was developed for use in biological research and tracer development for PET.

Methods

Based on observed tissue or plasma kinetics after a bolus injection of the tracer an algorithm calculates the infusion needed to obtain a specified target kinetic curve. A computer feeds this infusion scheme into an infusion pump connected to an animal via a venous catheter. The concept was validated using [¹¹C]Flumazenil administrated to Sprague-Dawley rats where the whole brain distribution and kinetic of the tracer was measured over time using a microPET-scanner. The accuracy and precision of the system was assessed by producing steady-state levels of the tracer and by mimicking kinetics after oral administration.

Results

Various kinetic profiles could be generated, including rapid achievement of constant levels, or step-wise increased levels. The resulting tissue curves had low deviation from the target curves according to the specified criteria: AUC (%): 4.2 ± 2.8, Maximal deviation (%): 13.6 ± 5.0 and R²: 0.95 ± 0.02.

Conclusion

The UIPump-system is suitable for use in PET-research for assessment of PK/PD properties by simulation of different tracer tissue kinetics in vivo.