Applications of vacuum MAI on a portable mass spectrometer

Mass spectrometry can potentially provide faster and more accurate analyses diagnosing various diseases than current diagnostics and point-of-care technologies and methods. A portable mass spectrometer combining sensitive, robust, simple, and safe ionization sources and methods would reach these healthcare opportunities and markets in the clinical field. Here, a homebuilt ionization source based on matrix-assisted ionization (MAI) in a portable mass spectrometer was used to develop methods for clinical measurements. The dedicated source reduces the requirement of vacuum pumping capacity, providing direct analysis sensitivity for dextromethorphan in urine at 50 fmol L-1 and mefenamic acid in plasma at 40 pmol mu L-1, respectively. Moreover, the solution of developed platform overcomes difficulties in the direct analysis, including mass range limitations (e.g., myoglobin MW 16591 Da), contamination, and ion suppression effects. This portable MAI-MS enables not only qualitative but quantitative information of clinically-relevant samples with user-friendly sample introduction as required at a patient's bedside. (C)& nbsp;2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.& nbsp;

Automated summary

Mass spectrometry has the potential to provide faster and more accurate analyses for diagnosing diseases than current diagnostics and point-of-care technologies. A portable mass spectrometer using a homebuilt ionization source based on matrix-assisted ionization (MAI) was developed for clinical measurements. This portable MAI-MS allows for both qualitative and quantitative analysis of clinically-relevant samples with user-friendly sample introduction.