Introduction
Oxygen-18 water (H₂¹⁸O) plays a vital and irreplaceable role. It serves as the essential starting material for producing fluorine-18 (¹⁸F), the key radionuclide used in positron emission tomography (PET), through proton irradiation of O-18 water targets.
Technical advantages:
With a half-life of 110 minutes and outstanding biocompatibility, fluorine-18 enables the rapid synthesis of tracers such as fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). These tracers are crucial for accurately mapping human metabolic processes, supporting early cancer detection, evaluating neurodegenerative diseases, and imaging cardiovascular functions.
Key to production:
Fluorine-18 is reliably produced via the ¹⁸O(p,n)¹⁸F nuclear reaction in cyclotrons, enabling stable, large-scale production and ensuring the efficiency and safety of the radiopharmaceutical supply chain.
As global demand for precision medicine continues to rise, oxygen-18 water remains a cornerstone of PET innovation and the ongoing expansion of clinical applications.
Where to Buy oxygen-18 Isotopes
AMT is proud to support this critical field by supplying high-purity oxygen-18 water with consistent quality, reliability, and a commitment to advancing medical imaging technologies worldwide.
For more information or to inquire about Oxygen-18 products, please visit Nakima Ltd.