Patent Publication Number: US-2009224171-A1

Title: System and Method for Controlling Elution from a Radioisotope Generator with Electronic Pinch Valves

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/818,808, filed Jul. 6, 2006. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of nuclear medicine. Specifically, embodiments of the invention relate to a system and method for starting and stopping elution of radioisotopes from a radioisotope generator with electronic pinch valves. 
     BACKGROUND 
     This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present invention, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art. 
     Nuclear medicine is a branch of health science that utilizes radioactive material for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes by injecting a patient with a small dose of the radioactive material, which concentrates in certain organs or biological regions of the patient. Radioactive materials typically used for nuclear medicine include Technetium-99m, Indium-113m, and Strontium-87m among others. Some radioactive materials naturally concentrate toward a particular tissue; for example, iodine concentrates toward the thyroid. However, radioactive materials are often combined with a tagging or organ-seeking agent, which targets the radioactive material for a desired organ or biologic region of the patient. These radioactive materials alone or in combination with a tagging agent are typically defined as radiopharmaceuticals in the field of nuclear medicine. At relatively lower doses of the radiopharmaceutical, a radiation imaging system (e.g., a gamma camera) can provide an image of the organ or biological region that collects the radiopharmaceutical. Irregularities in the image are often indicative of a pathologic condition, such as cancer. Higher doses of the radiopharmaceutical may be used to deliver a therapeutic dose of radiation directly to the pathologic tissue, such as cancer cells. 
     The production of radiopharmaceuticals inherently involves radioactive material. Accordingly, it is desirable for clinicians and other individuals that work around radioisotope elution systems to limit their exposure to the elution process and its products. Indeed, many elution systems and related devices (e.g., transportation and dispensing mechanisms) include shielding that limits the exposure of users to radiation from the elution system and its products. However, even when shielding is present, it may be desirable to further limit exposure generally involved with engaging or disengaging flow controls in the radioisotope elution system. In addition, existing systems can expose the flow controls and other mechanisms to radiation, an eluent, or other materials involved with an elution process or subsequent cleaning. These materials can adversely affect the life and operability of the flow controls. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention, in certain embodiments, is directed to a radioisotope elution system including electronic pinch valves disposed along flow lines of the radioisotope elution system. One or more electronic pinch valves may be positioned along the flow lines such that opening and closing the electronic pinch valves in defined combinations can stop and/or start an elution process. The electronic pinch valves may be arranged or configured to reduce the possibility of exposure of a user or operator to radiation from the elution system. For example, by preventing flow or controlling suction in components of the elution system, the electronic pinch valves may prevent or reduce the potential for spilling radioactive fluid when retrieving collected eluate from the elution system. Additionally, the electronic pinch valves may be configured for remote actuation, which may reduce the potential for exposing a user or operator to radiation from the elution system during operation. Further, the electronic pinch valves may be configured to avoid direct contamination of the valves themselves by operating to squeeze flow lines (e.g., tubing) together when closed and release the flow lines when open, thus avoiding direct contact between the valves and radioactive material and/or corrosive material in the flow lines. 
     Certain aspects commensurate in scope with the originally claimed invention are set forth below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief summary of certain forms the invention might take and that these aspects are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Indeed, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be set forth below. 
     In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radioisotope elution system, comprising a flexible radioisotope elution line, and an electronic pinch valve disposed externally about the flexible radioisotope elution line, wherein the electronic pinch valve includes a remote electronic control connector. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a radioisotope elution system, comprising a radioisotope generator, an elution line coupled to the radioisotope generator, wherein the elution line comprises a resilient circumferential wall disposed about a passage; and an electronic pinch valve disposed externally about the resilient circumferential wall. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising electronically manipulating a state of at least one electronic pinch valve disposed externally about at least one resilient flow line of a radioisotope elution system between constricting and not constricting the at least one resilient flow line to control elution of a radioisotope generator. 
     Various refinements exist of the features noted above in relation to the various aspects of the present invention. Further features may also be incorporated in these various aspects as well. These refinements and additional features may exist individually or in any combination. For instance, various features discussed below in relation to one or more of the illustrated embodiments may be incorporated into any of the above-described aspects of the present invention alone or in any combination. Again, the brief summary presented above is intended only to familiarize the reader with certain aspects and contexts of the present invention without limitation to the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a radioisotope elution system including electronic pinch valves; 
         FIGS. 2-6  are diagrams of various embodiments of a radioisotope elution systems including electronic pinch valves; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of a nuclear medicine process; 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram of an embodiment of a radiopharmaceutical preparation system; and 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram of an embodiment of a nuclear medicine imaging system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     One or more exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, some features of an actual implementation may not be described in the specification. It should be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions may be made to achieve the developers&#39; specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Such a development effort would be a routine undertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those of ordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure. 
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of a radioisotope elution system  10  including a pair of electronic pinch valves  22 , 24  disposed on flow lines  26 . It should be noted that a line may include a single line or a system of lines. The illustrated elution system  10  also may include a radioisotope generator  12 , radiation shielding  14 , an elution output assembly  16 , an eluent supply bottle  18 , and an eluate collection bottle  20 . The elution output assembly  16  may include an elution shield  16 A disposed about the eluate collection bottle  20 . Each of the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  is coupled to a flow line  26  (e.g., resilient tubing) of the elution system  10  to facilitate automatic and/or remote control of an elution process being performed by the elution system  10 . One or both of the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be disposed at least partially within the radioisotope generator  12 . 
     In certain embodiments, the flow line  26  may include one or more lengths of resilient tubing in parallel or in series, or continuous, or intermittently coupled with other elution components, or a combination thereof. For example, a first portion of the flow line  26  may be disposed upstream from the radioisotope generator  12 , while a second portion of the flow line  26  may be disposed downstream of the radioisotope generator  12 . Together, the first and second portions may represent the overall elution flow line  26 . The electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be disposed externally about the flow line  26  on various upstream and/or downstream portions relative to the radioisotope generator  12  or in proximity to fluid connectors on the radioisotope generator  12 . In certain embodiments, a system operator may remotely coordinate activation or deactivation of the first and second electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  to stop or start an elution. Indeed, using the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 , an operator or controller may cause the elution system  10  to complete a full or a partial elution (e.g., an elution to partially fill an eluate output container) without any radiation exposure. In other words, the operator can control liquid flow without opening the shielding  14 , thereby substantially reducing the potential for radiation exposure. 
     During an elution procedure performed with the elution system  10 , eluent (e.g., saline) flows from the eluent supply bottle  18  through the generator  12 , and is collected as eluate in the eluate collection bottle  20 . In the illustrated embodiment, the eluent supply bottle  18  is coupled to the generator  12  via a vented spike  28  and the tubing  26 . The vented spike  28  includes an eluent vent needle  28 A and a container eluent output needle  28 B. The tubing  26  coupling the eluent supply  18  and the generator  12  may be referred to as an eluent input line  29  or eluent supply line  29 . The eluent input line  29  may couple to the generator  12  via a generator eluent input needle  29 A. The vented spike  28  may also couple to a vent  30  via the tubing  26  to regulate pressure and facilitate flow of eluent out of the eluent supply bottle  18 . The tubing  26  between the vent  30  and the eluent supply bottle  18  may be referred to as a supply vent line, an eluent vent line, or an input vent line  31 . The vent  30  may include a check valve to allow air into the eluent supply bottle  18  while generally preventing backflow from the eluent supply bottle  18  through the vent  30  and into other areas of the elution system  10 . The tubing  26  between the eluent supply bottle  18  and the generator  12  (i.e., the eluent input line  29 ) may channel the eluent into the radioisotope generator  12  for flushing or generally eluting a daughter radioisotope from a parent radioisotope in the generator  12  and into the eluate collection bottle  20 . The eluate collection bottle  20  may be coupled to the generator  12  via a hollow outlet needle  32  and the tubing  26  to facilitate such collection. The tubing  26  between the generator  12  and the eluate collection bottle  20  may be referred to as an eluate collection line  33  or eluate output line  33 . The eluate output line  33  may couple to the generator  12  via a generator eluate output needle  33 A. 
     The generator  12  may include a container or a shielded container designed to hold a parent radioisotope, such as Molybdenum-99, absorbed to alumina beads or another suitable exchange medium. Over time, the parent radioisotope may decay to produce a daughter radioisotope. For example, Molybdenum-99 may decay to form Technetium-99m as its daughter radioisotope. Molybdenum-99 has a half-life of approximately 67 hours. Thus, short-lived Technetium-99m, which has a half-life of approximately 6 hours, may continually be produced inside the generator  12  during operation. Once a certain amount of the radioisotope is present, the radioisotope elution system  10  may be ready for “milking.” In other words, the radioisotope may be ready to be collected from the generator  12  via an elution process, which may begin with flowing eluent through the generator  12 . The daughter radioisotope (e.g., Technetium-99m) is held chemically less tightly than the parent radioisotope, thereby enabling flow of eluent to flush the desired daughter radioisotope from the radioisotope generator  12  into the eluate collection bottle  20  as a component of the eluate. In some embodiments, a wet elution process is utilized, wherein the generator  12  generally remains charged and eluate is removed via the eluate collection bottle  20  at designated times. 
     The eluate collection bottle  20  may have a standard or predefined volume. Additionally, the eluate collection bottle  20  may begin in an evacuated condition. Thus, when the eluate collection bottle  20  is attached to the elution system  10 , it creates a suction or pressure drop into the eluate collection bottle  20 . This pressure drop may essentially drive the elution system  10 . For example, the suction of the eluate collection bottle  20  may draw the eluate residing in the generator  12  into the eluate collection bottle  20  via the tubing  26  and the outlet needle  32 . In turn, the vacancy in the generator  12  created by moving the eluate into the eluate collection bottle  20  may result in eluent being drawn into the generator  12  from the eluent supply bottle  18 . This transfer of eluent through the generator  12  facilitates production of more eluate containing the daughter radioisotope, which is being produced in the generator  12  from decay of the parent radioisotope. As set forth above, this process of collecting eluate may be referred to as “milking the cow,” i.e., milking the generator  12 . 
     An elution process, such as that discussed above, being performed by the radioisotope elution system  10  can be started or stopped by blocking and/or unblocking certain flow paths (e.g., the eluent input line  29 , the supply vent line  31 , and/or the eluate output line  33 ) in the elution system  10 . This blocking and unblocking may be achieved using the first and second electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  to block and unblock flow lines  26  in the elution system  10 . For example, in the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 1 , the first electronic pinch valve  22  may be disposed on the tubing  26  extending between the generator  12  and the eluate collection bottle  20  (i.e., the eluate output line  33 ). Accordingly, by closing (e.g., activating constriction components) the first electronic pinch valve  22 , which may externally squeeze the resilient tubing  26  to a closed position, eluate may be substantially or entirely prevented from being drawn into the eluate collection bottle  20  by the suction therein. By reopening (e.g., releasing the constriction components) the first electronic pinch valve  22 , which allows the resilient tubing  26  to expand, flow may be reinitiated. Additionally, the second electronic pinch valve  24  may be disposed on tubing  26  between the eluate collection bottle  20  and a collection bottle vent  34 . The tubing  26  between the eluate collection bottle  20  and the collection bottle vent  34  may be referred to as the collection vent line  35 , the eluate vent line  35 , or the output vent line  35 . This second electronic pinch valve  24  may control flow of air or gas at a standard pressure (e.g., atmospheric pressure) into the eluate collection bottle  20 . Because the elution system  10  may be driven by the suction created by the vacuum in the eluate collection bottle  20 , normalizing the eluate collection bottle  20  by opening the second electronic pinch valve  24  may stop the elution process. In some embodiments, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , to stop the elution process, the first electronic pinch valve  22  may be closed in conjunction with opening the second electronic pinch valve  24 . In other embodiments, different valve arrangements may be utilized to start and stop flow, as discussed in detail below. It should be noted that while two electronic pinch valves are represented, other embodiments may utilize a single electronic pinch valve or multiple electronic pinch valves to control elution and reduce radiation exposure. It should further be noted that in some embodiments the elution system  10  may be driven by increasing pressure (e.g., via a pump) in certain portions of the system  10  to drive the elution, rather than driving the elution with a vacuum in the collection portion of the system  10 . 
     Various benefits arise from utilizing the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  in a radioisotope elution system in accordance with various embodiments. For example, a user can substantially avoid or reduce potential exposure to the radioactive substances utilized in the elution process by activating or deactivating (e.g., opening and closing the valves) remotely. Indeed, the user can stand a great enough distance away from the elution system  10  to eliminate any potential effects of radiation from system  10 . This may be achieved by utilizing a remote control unit  38  that communicatively couples to remote electronic control connectors  40  on one or both of the valves  22 ,  24  via a remote electronic control lead  42 . Additionally, the fact that the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  are configured to squeeze the tubing  26  to stop flow may allow for reuse of the valves  22 ,  24 , because the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may avoid contamination from direct contact with radioactive material in the system  10 . In other words, the eluent and eluate containing the daughter radioisotope may be generally contained within the generator  12 , bottles  18 ,  20 , and tubing  26 , rather than directly passing through the valves  22 ,  24 . Further, the arrangement of the valves in the elution system  10  may substantially reduce the potential for spillage. For example, in a typical elution system, removing the collection bottle  20  may result in a certain amount of eluate leakage from the outlet needle  32 . A higher likelihood of leakage may exist when a vacuum remains in the collection bottle  20  at the time of removal. Specifically, for example, the collection bottle  20  may be utilized for a partial elution, and, when the partial elution is complete, the bottle  20  may retain a vacuum. Thus, upon removing a lid  36  or elution assembly  16 , and retrieving the collection bottle  20  from the outlet needle  32 , a certain amount of eluate may be pulled out of the outlet needle  32  and onto other portions of the elution system  10  or potentially elsewhere. The risk of such spillage and the related radiation exposure may be eliminated or substantially reduced by normalizing the collection bottle  20  and blocking eluate flow using the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 . It should be noted that certain embodiments may incorporate automatic delays between opening and closing particular valves to facilitate flow or to generally prevent spills. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective diagrammatical view of an embodiment of a radioisotope elution system  10  including electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  depicts internal components of the elution system  10  that may include the generator  12 , the eluent supply bottle  18 , the eluate collection bottle  20 , the tubing  26 , the vent  30 , the vent  34 , the first electronic pinch valve  22 , and the second electronic pinch valve  24 . The illustrated embodiment also may include check valves  102  disposed along the tubing  26  and arranged to generally prevent or reduce the potential for backflow in the system  10 . Further, the illustrated embodiment includes the remote control unit  38  communicatively coupled to the remote electronic control connectors  40  of the valves  22 , 24  via the remote electronic control lead  42 . It should be noted that some embodiments do not include any check valves  102 . 
     While other electronic valve types may be utilized,  FIG. 2  depicts the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  as solenoid valves. A solenoid valve may be defined as an electromechanical valve that is controlled by running (or not running) an electrical current through a solenoid (i.e., a loop of wire which produces a magnetic field when current is passed through it), which changes the state (i.e., open or closed) of the valve. For example, by closing circuits  104  and  106 , a coil in each of the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be caused to produce a magnetic field, thus causing the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  to open or close depending on the configuration. This may be achieved remotely using the remote control unit  38 . The electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be biased open or closed in a fail-safe state by a spring (e.g., a resilient coil or resilient tubing). For example, the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be biased open by the tubing  26  itself, which is in a compressed state when the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  are closed. 
     As discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 , the arrangement of the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  in  FIG. 2  may directly stop flow of eluate to the collection bottle  20  by sealing the tubing  26  downstream from the generator  12 , between the generator  12  and the collection bottle  20  (i.e., the eluate output line  33 ), and indirectly stop eluate flow by normalizing the collection bottle  20  with the atmosphere by controlling the collection vent line  35 . In one embodiment, this may be achieved using a single valve, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Specifically,  FIG. 3  illustrates a dual action electronic pinch valve  110  that includes a first adjustable receptacle  112  and a second adjustable receptacle  114 . The electronic pinch valve  110  may be configured to close the first adjustable receptacle  112  in coordination with opening the second adjustable receptacle  114  and vice versa. For example, the tubing  26  between the generator  12  and the collection bottle  20  may be placed in the first adjustable receptacle  112  and the tubing  26  between the vent  34  and the collection bottle  20  may be placed in the second adjustable receptacle  114 . When the electronic pinch valve  110  is actuated, it may open the first adjustable receptacle  112  and close the second adjustable receptacle  114  to facilitate flow of eluate into the collection bottle  20 . Alternatively, the electronic pinch valve  110  may close the first adjustable receptacle  112  and open the second adjustable receptacle  114  to prevent eluate flow into the collection bottle  20 . This actuation may be facilitated by a biasing spring that is disposed within the valve and that biases the electronic pinch valve  110  toward a fail-safe position. Further, the actuation may be controlled by opening or closing a circuit  116  that provides electrical current to an activating mechanism (e.g., a solenoid) in the electronic pinch valve  110 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective diagrammatical view of another embodiment of a radioisotope elution system  10  including electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 . Much like  FIG. 2 , the embodiment of  FIG. 4  depicts internal components of the elution system  10 , which may include the generator  12 , the eluent supply bottle  18 , the eluate collection bottle  20 , the tubing  26 , the vent  30 , the first electronic pinch valve  22 , and the second electronic pinch valve  24 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4  may also include check valves  102  disposed along the tubing  26  that prevent backflow in the system  10 . Further, the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 4  may also include the remote control unit  38 . However, in contrast to the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 2 , the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 4  includes the second electronic pinch valve  24  disposed on the tubing between the vent  30  and the eluent supply bottle  18  (i.e., the supply vent line  31 ). By disposing the second electronic valve  24  in this location, suction can be created in the eluent supply bottle  18 . For example, the second electronic pinch valve  24  can be closed as eluent flows out of the eluent supply bottle  18  to stop an elution process. By closing the second electronic valve  24  in this embodiment, flow into the eluent supply bottle  18  may be substantially blocked or restricted as liquid pressures equalize on input and output sides of the generator  12 . Thus, volume lost as the eluent flows out of the eluent supply bottle  18  and into the generator  12  is not replaced. This may initially create suction or back pressure in the eluent supply bottle  18  and, thus, prevent further flow of eluent out of the eluent supply bottle  18  and into the generator  12 . In other words, closing the second electronic pinch valve  24  over the tubing  26  between the vent  30  and the eluent supply bottle  18  (i.e., the supply vent line  31 ) may result in stopping an elution process as the elution system becomes closed upstream and the pressures equalize. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the first electronic pinch valve  22  is disposed on the tubing between the generator  12  and the collection bottle  20  (i.e., the eluate output line  33 ). This valve  22  may also be closed, which may directly prevent or reduce the potential for the eluate to flow into the collection bottle  20  and, thus, generally stop an elution process. In accordance with present embodiments, these electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be coordinated or utilized separately to start and stop an elution process by respectively opening and closing the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 . 
     The embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 4  utilizes two separate electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  to squeeze or release the tubing  26  in the elution system to generally block or facilitate flow in the elution process. Thus, the two electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be utilized to control the elution process (e.g., perform partial elutions) and provide added protection to a user from exposure to radioactive material in the process. In some embodiments, it is desirable to create back pressure or initial suction in the eluent supply bottle  18  upstream from the generator  12  in conjunction with blocking flow downstream between the generator  12  and the collection bottle  20  (i.e., the eluate output line  33 ). Thus, in the embodiment illustrated by  FIG. 4 , both of the electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24  may be used in upstream and downstream positions relative to the generator  12 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments a single valve may be utilized to perform this flow control task. Specifically,  FIG. 5  illustrates a dual action electronic pinch valve  202  that includes a first adjustable receptacle  204  and a second adjustable receptacle  206 . The electronic pinch valve  202  may be configured to close the first adjustable receptacle  204  in coordination with closing the second adjustable receptacle  206  and vice versa. For example, the tubing  26  between the generator  12  and the collection bottle  20  may be placed in the first adjustable receptacle  204  and the tubing  26  between the vent  30  and the eluent supply bottle  18  may be placed in the second adjustable receptacle  206 . In other words, the same electronic pinch valve  202  may be coupled to tubing at both upstream and downstream positions relative to the generator  12 . Thus, the same valve  202  may produce both back pressure via the receptacle  206  and downstream blocking to substantially block flow on both inlet and outlet sides of the generator  12 . When the electronic pinch valve  202  is actuated, it may open the first adjustable receptacle  204  and the second adjustable receptacle  206  or close the receptacles  204 ,  206  to facilitate or stop flow of eluate into the collection bottle  20 , respectively. This actuation may be controlled by opening or closing a circuit  208  that provides electrical current to an activating mechanism (e.g., a solenoid) in the electronic pinch valve  202 . 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective diagrammatical view of a further embodiment of a radioisotope elution system  10  including electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 ,  302 .  FIG. 6  represents an exemplary embodiment that demonstrates that various valve arrangements and multiple valves may be utilized to control elution processes in accordance with present embodiments. Much like  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  4 , and  5 , the embodiment of  FIG. 6  depicts internal components of the elution system  10 , which may include the generator  12 , the eluent supply bottle  18 , the eluate collection bottle  20 , the tubing  26 , the vent  30 , the vent  34 , the first electronic pinch valve  22 , and the second electronic pinch valve  24 . The embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  also may include check valves  102  disposed along the tubing  26  that generally prevent or reduce the potential for backflow in the system  10 . However, the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6  is distinct from the embodiments discussed above because it includes a third electronic pinch valve  302 . The first electronic pinch valve  22  may be disposed on the tubing  26  between the collection bottle  20  and the vent  34  (i.e., the output vent line  35 ). The second electronic pinch valve  24  may be disposed on the tubing  26  between the generator and the collection bottle  20  (i.e., the eluate collection line  33 ). The third electronic pinch valve  302  may be disposed on the tubing  26  between the vent  30  and the eluent supply bottle  18  (i.e., the input vent line  31 ), and may be actuated by opening or closing a circuit  304 . Each of these valves  22 ,  24 ,  302  may be coordinated or utilized separately to control the elution process, as discussed above. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary nuclear medicine process  404  utilizing the radioactive isotope produced by the elution system  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6 . As illustrated, the process  404  begins with providing a radioactive isotope for nuclear medicine at block  406 . For example: block  406  may include eluting technetium-99m from the radioisotope generator  12 , which is illustrated and described in detail above. Such an elution may be started and stopped using electronic pinch valves  22 ,  24 , as discussed above. At block  408 , the process  404  proceeds by providing a tagging agent (e.g., an epitope or other appropriate biological directing moiety) adapted to target the radioisotope for a specific portion, e.g., an organ, of a patient. At block  410 , the process  404  proceeds by combining the radioactive isotope with the tagging agent to provide a radiopharmaceutical for nuclear medicine. In certain embodiments, the radioactive isotope may have natural tendencies to concentrate toward a particular organ or tissue. Thus, the radioactive isotope may be characterized as a radiopharmaceutical without adding any supplemental tagging agent. At block  412 , the process  404  may proceed by extracting one or more doses of radiopharmaceutical into a syringe or another container, such as a container suitable for administering the radiopharmaceutical to a patient in a nuclear medicine facility or hospital. At block  414 , the process  404  proceeds by injecting or generally administering a dose of the radiopharmaceutical into a patient. After a pre-selected time, the process  404  proceeds by detecting/imaging the radiopharmaceutical tagged to the patient&#39;s organ or tissue (block  416 ). For example, block  416  may include using a gamma camera or other radiographic imaging device to detect the radiopharmaceutical disposed on or in or bound to tissue of a brain, a heart, a liver, a tumor, a cancerous tissue, or various other organs or diseased tissue. 
       FIG. 8  is a block diagram of an exemplary system  500  for providing a syringe or container having a radiopharmaceutical produced in accordance with present embodiments disposed therein for use in a nuclear medicine application. As illustrated, the system  500  includes the radioisotope elution system  10  previously described with regard to  FIGS. 1-6 , wherein electronic pinch valves (e.g.,  22 ,  24 ) are utilized to control system elutions. The system  500  also includes a radiopharmaceutical production system  502 , which functions to combine a radioisotope  504  (e.g., technetium-99m eluate acquired through use of the radioisotope elution system  10 ) with a tagging agent  506 . In some embodiment, this radiopharmaceutical production system  502  may refer to or include what are known in the art as “kits” (e.g., Technescan® kit for preparation of a diagnostic radiopharmaceutical). Again, the tagging agent  506  may include a variety of substances that are attracted to or targeted for a particular portion (e.g., organ, tissue, tumor, cancer, etc.) of the patient. As a result, the radiopharmaceutical production system  502  produces or may be utilized to produce a radiopharmaceutical including the radioisotope  504  and the tagging agent  506 , as indicated by block  508 . The illustrated system  500  may also include a radiopharmaceutical dispensing system  510 , which facilitates extraction of the radiopharmaceutical into a vial or syringe  512 . In certain embodiments, the various components and functions of the system  500  are disposed within a radiopharmacy, which prepares the syringe  512  of the radiopharmaceutical for use in a nuclear medicine application. For example, the syringe  512  may be prepared and delivered to a medical facility for use in diagnosis or treatment of a patient. 
       FIG. 9  is a block diagram of an exemplary nuclear medicine imaging system  600  utilizing the syringe  512  of radiopharmaceutical provided using the system  500  of  FIG. 8 . As illustrated, the nuclear medicine imagining system  600  includes a radiation detector  602  having a scintillator  604  and a photo detector  606 . In response to radiation  608  emitted from a tagged organ within a patient  610 , the scintillator  604  emits light that is sensed and converted to electronic signals by the photo detector  606 . The imaging system  600  also can include a collimator to collimate the radiation  608  directed toward the radiation detector  602 . The illustrated imaging system  600  also may include detector acquisition circuitry  612  and image processing circuitry  614 . The detector acquisition circuitry  612  generally controls the acquisition of electronic signals from the radiation detector  602 . The image processing circuitry  614  may be employed to process the electronic signals, execute examination protocols, and so forth. The illustrated imaging system  600  also may include a user interface  616  to facilitate user interaction with the image processing circuitry  614  and other components of the imaging system  600 . As a result, the imaging system  600  produces an image  618  of the tagged organ within the patient  610 . Again, the foregoing procedures and resulting image  618  directly benefit from the radiopharmaceutical produced by the elution system  10  having electronic pinch valves as illustrated and described with reference to  FIGS. 1-6 . 
     A test system including features in accordance with present embodiments was tested for 12 months review. Specifically, the test system contained two pinch valves and an adjusted generator system. The pinch valves were operated by an electronic switch device, which was setup in two consecutive circuits. A first circuit corresponded to “elution” and a second circuit corresponded to “elution break off,” and off. The components of the test system included an ULTRA TECHNEKOW (UTK) elution system (TYCO part number: E6-11273), which is a Technetium generator, with inactive aluminum oxide columns (TYCO part number: E6-11271), an OMNIFIT pinch valve (BIO-CHEM VALVE INC. part number: 075P2NC12-01S), and a 12V power supply. 
     Several tests were performed using the test system. The materials utilized in the tests included a UTK eluent 100 ml (TYCO part number: N5-70497), a technevial 11 ml (TYCO part number: N6-11571) and a stopwatch. The results of these tests indicated that the test system was comparable with existing systems. The details of each of the tests are set forth below. 
     In a first test (Test 1), an elution was initiated by placing a UTK eluent 100 ml and a technevial 11 ml (e.g., vacuum vial  20 ) on the elution system. Upon positioning the eluent and technevial, the test system&#39;s switch was set to “elution.” The time span between switching and elution was measured. That is, the amount of time between activating the switch to begin the elution and initiation of the actual elution was measured. The test was then repeated using a manually operated system with mechanical clamps. These steps were repeated and measurements were taken six times for both systems. For each elution, a new technevial was utilized. The results of these tests are set forth below in Table 1. It should be noted that in Table 1, “Elution” corresponds to a run number, “Elution (yes/no)” indicates whether the clamp on the generator opened and eluent ran through the system, and “Time” represents the amount of time measured between activating the system switch to initiate the elution and actual initiation of the elution. 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 1 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 Elution 
                 Elution (yes/no) 
                 Time (sec) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Elution system with electronic clamps 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Yes 
                 3.19 
               
               
                 2 
                 Yes 
                 2.06 
               
               
                 3 
                 Yes 
                 2.35 
               
               
                 4 
                 Yes 
                 1.85 
               
               
                 5 
                 Yes 
                 2.25 
               
               
                 6 
                 Yes 
                 1.66 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Elution system with mechanical clamps 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Yes 
                 2.78 
               
               
                 2 
                 Yes 
                 2.63 
               
               
                 3 
                 Yes 
                 2.81 
               
               
                 4 
                 Yes 
                 1.72 
               
               
                 5 
                 Yes 
                 1.88 
               
               
                 6 
                 Yes 
                 2.54 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     Conventional systems often have issues with tubes sticking together due to the pinch force of mechanical clamps. The Time measurement in Table 1 was taken in relation to this issue. According to the data obtained from Test 1, the electronic clamps appear to have a comparable performance to that of their mechanical counterparts. 
     In a second test (Test 2), an elution was initiated by placing a UTK eluent 100 ml and a technevial 11 ml on the elution system. The weight of the technevial was measured in advance. Upon positioning the eluent and technevial on the system, the test system&#39;s switch was set to “elution.” The time span between switching to “elution” and the complete fill of the technevial was measured. Further, the weight of the filled technevial was measured. The test was then repeated using a manually operated system with mechanical clamps. These steps were repeated and measurements were taken six times for both systems. For each elution, a new technevial was utilized. The results of these tests are set forth below in Table 2. It should be noted that in Table 2, “Elution” corresponds to a run number, “Elution (yes/no)” indicates whether the clamp on the generator opened and eluent ran through the system, “Time” represents a measurement of the amount of time required to completely fill the vacuum vial (e.g., vacuum vial  20 ) of the test system, “Weight empty” represents the weight of the vacuum vial before elution, “Weight full” represents the weight of the vacuum vial after elution (e.g., the vial plus the 11 ml of eluent), and “Flow” represents a calculation of eluent flow. The values for “Flow” were calculated by converting the weight (g) of the eluent to volume (ml) by dividing the weight by density (1 g/ml) and, then, dividing the volume (ml) by time (min). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 2 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Elution 
                 Time 
                 Weight 
                 Weight 
                 Weight 
                 Flow 
               
               
                 Elution 
                 (yes/no) 
                 (sec) 
                 empty (g) 
                 full (g) 
                 (g) 
                 (ml/min) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Elution system with electronic clamps 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Yes 
                 42.50 
                 12.5177 
                 23.4041 
                 10.8864 
                 15.37 
               
               
                 2 
                 Yes 
                 39.88 
                 12.4667 
                 23.5201 
                 11.0534 
                 16.63 
               
               
                 3 
                 Yes 
                 39.78 
                 12.2380 
                 23.2348 
                 10.9968 
                 16.59 
               
               
                 4 
                 Yes 
                 40.03 
                 12.3931 
                 23.5329 
                 11.1398 
                 16.70 
               
               
                 5 
                 Yes 
                 39.90 
                 12.3578 
                 23.3912 
                 11.0334 
                 16.59 
               
               
                 6 
                 Yes 
                 40.22 
                 12.3870 
                 23.4301 
                 11.0431 
                 16.47 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Elution system with mechanical clamps 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Yes 
                 48.28 
                 12.4370 
                 23.2549 
                 10.8179 
                 13.44 
               
               
                 2 
                 Yes 
                 47.21 
                 12.5231 
                 23.6062 
                 11.0831 
                 14.09 
               
               
                 3 
                 Yes 
                 46.47 
                 12.3985 
                 23.4418 
                 11.0433 
                 14.26 
               
               
                 4 
                 Yes 
                 46.60 
                 12.4887 
                 23.5040 
                 11.0153 
                 14.18 
               
               
                 5 
                 Yes 
                 46.16 
                 12.4244 
                 23.4596 
                 11.0352 
                 14.34 
               
               
                 6 
                 Yes 
                 47.44 
                 12.4111 
                 23.5616 
                 11.1505 
                 14.10 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 10  is a plot illustrating elution time and flow (ml/min) per system. The data designated as corresponding to System  1  in  FIG. 10  was obtained from the system with electronic pinch valves and the data designated as corresponding to System  2  was obtained from the system with mechanical clamps. 
     In a third test (Test 3), an elution was initiated by placing a UTK eluent 100 ml and a technevial 11 ml on the elution system. The weight of the technevial was measured in advance. Upon positioning the eluent and technevial, the test system&#39;s switch was set to “elution.” The time span between switching to “elution” and filling half of the technevial was measured. The elution was halted by switching the system to “elution break off.” Further, the weight of the half-filled technevial was measured. The test was then repeated using a manually operated system with mechanical clamps. These steps were repeated and measurements were taken six times for both systems. For each elution, a new technevial was utilized. The results of these tests are set forth below in Table 3. It should be noted that in Table 3, “Elution” corresponds to a run number, “Elution (yes/no)” indicates whether the clamp on the generator opened and eluent ran through the system, “Elution break off (yes/no)” indicates whether the system stopped the elution when the switch was set to “elution break off,” “Time” represents a measurement of the amount of time between start and break off of the elution, “Weight empty” represents the weight of the vacuum vial before elution, “Weight full” represents the weight of the vacuum vial after partial elution (e.g., the vial plus an amount of eluent), “Weight” represents the actual weight of the eluent obtained by subtracting the value for “Weight empty” form the value for “Weight full,” and “Flow” represents a calculation of eluent flow. The values for “Flow” were calculated by converting the weight (g) of the eluent to volume (ml) by dividing the weight by density (1 g/ml) and, then, dividing the volume (ml) by time (min). 
     
       
         
           
               
             
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
            
               
                   
               
               
                 Test 3 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                   
                 Elution 
                   
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Elution 
                 break off 
                 Time 
                 Weight 
                 Weight 
                 Weight 
                 Flow 
               
               
                 Elution 
                 (yes/no) 
                 (yes/no) 
                 (sec) 
                 empty (g) 
                 full (g) 
                 (g) 
                 (ml/min) 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Elution system with electronic clamps 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 10.16 
                 12.4213 
                 15.8461 
                 3.4248 
                 20.23 
               
               
                 2 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 20.25 
                 12.4648 
                 18.671 
                 6.2062 
                 18.39 
               
               
                 3 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 30.12 
                 12.3456 
                 21.4335 
                 9.0879 
                 18.10 
               
               
                 4 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 9.87 
                 12.511 
                 15.6264 
                 3.1154 
                 18.94 
               
               
                 5 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 20.00 
                 12.3681 
                 18.5525 
                 6.1844 
                 18.55 
               
               
                 6 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 30.00 
                 12.442 
                 21.4569 
                 9.0149 
                 18.03 
               
            
           
           
               
            
               
                 Elution system with mechanical clamps 
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
            
               
                 1 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 10.00 
                 12.4073 
                 15.4437 
                 3.0364 
                 18.22 
               
               
                 2 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 20.22 
                 12.4679 
                 17.625 
                 5.1571 
                 15.30 
               
               
                 3 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 30.12 
                 12.5013 
                 20.1313 
                 7.63 
                 15.20 
               
               
                 4 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 10.09 
                 12.3862 
                 14.9686 
                 2.5824 
                 15.36 
               
               
                 5 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 20.28 
                 12.5122 
                 17.6431 
                 5.1309 
                 15.18 
               
               
                 6 
                 Yes 
                 Yes 
                 30.16 
                 12.4969 
                 20.0305 
                 7.5336 
                 14.99 
               
               
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
       FIG. 11  is a plot illustrating elution brake off and linearity elution time based on the data from Test 3. The data designated as corresponding to System  1  in  FIG. 11  was obtained from the system with electronic pinch valves and the data designated as corresponding to System  2  was obtained from the system with mechanical clamps. 
     Based on the aforementioned results obtained in Tests 1, 2, and 3 for the test system in accordance with present embodiments, present embodiments are comparable in operation with a system containing mechanical clamps. However, present embodiments facilitate a slightly higher flow. The slightly higher flow obtained with the system containing electronic pinch valves may be attributed to the improved opening of the pinch valves in comparison to that of the mechanical clamps. 
     When introducing elements of the present invention or various embodiments thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Moreover, the use of “top”, “bottom”, “above”, “below” and variations of these terms is made for convenience, but does not require any particular orientation of the components. 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and have been described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following appended claims.