DART-MS NPS Screening on Chromatographic Paper in 30 Seconds

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for detecting new psychoactive substances (NPS) are slow and inefficient, relying on liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) which requires extensive time and organic solvents, and immunoassays that offer poor detectability for NPS.

Innovation Solution

A method and platform for rapid screening of NPS using direct analysis in real time (DART) ionization followed by mass spectrometry analysis. The method involves placing a sample on chromatographic paper, ionizing it with DART, and performing mass spectrometry to obtain a sample mass spectrum, which is then compared to a known standard mass spectrum to identify NPS.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is used for NPS detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases and organic solvent consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidanalysis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential detection function from the complex LC-MS/MS system by using DART-MS directly on chromatographic paper, eliminating the time-consuming liquid chromatography separation step while retaining mass spectrometry detection capability. This allows rapid screening without sacrificing detection accuracy for NPS.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical chromatography separation system with a direct mass spectrometry detection system using DART ionization. This substitution eliminates the need for liquid chromatography while maintaining detection capability, significantly reducing analysis time and organic solvent consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is used for NPS detection, then detection accuracy is improved, but organic solvent consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidorganic solvent consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the detection function from the solvent-intensive LC-MS/MS system by using DART-MS directly on chromatographic paper, eliminating the need for extensive organic solvent use in sample preparation and chromatography while maintaining detection accuracy through direct mass spectrometry analysis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the solvent-dependent liquid chromatography system with a solvent-minimal direct mass spectrometry system using DART ionization. This substitution dramatically reduces organic solvent consumption while preserving detection capability for NPS.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If immunoassay is used for NPS screening, then screening capability is improved, but detectability for NPS deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescreening capabilityVSAvoiddetectability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the immunoassay detection mechanism with direct mass spectrometry detection using DART ionization. This substitution overcomes the detectability limitations of immunoassays for NPS by directly measuring the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized compounds, providing accurate detection without relying on antibody-antigen interactions that fail for novel substances.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach significantly reduces analysis time to 30 seconds, is more objective and efficient than traditional methods, and requires minimal organic solvents, while maintaining a low minimum detection concentration.

Implementation Method 1

ionizing the sample on the chromatographic paper by a direct analysis in real time (DART)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDirect Analysis in Real Time (DART) ionization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

performing a mass spectrometry analysis on the ionized sample to obtain a sample mass spectrum

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMass spectrometry:

Implementation Method 3

placing the sample on a chromatographic paper

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChromatography: Chromatography

Data Source

PatentUS20250130211A1Method of screening new psychoactive substance and platform thereof

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 NAT TAIWAN UNIV

AI summary

A method of screening new psychoactive substance is provided, including providing a sample; placing the sample on chromatographic paper; ionizing the sample on the chromatographic paper by a direct analysis in real time (DART); performing a mass spectrometry analysis on the ionized sample to obtain a sample mass spectrum; and comparing a known standard mass spectrum with the sample mass spectrum, in which when a profile of the known standard mass spectrum is the same as a profile of the sample mass spectrum and the known standard mass spectrum is not exactly the same as the sample mass spectrum, the sample is determined to be the new psychoactive substance. A platform for screening new psychoactive substance is also provided to quickly screen out the new psychoactive substance.