Continuity™ Field Portable Mass Spectrometer

By BaySpec, Inc

The Continuity™ Field Portable Mass Spectrometer, equipped with a Swab-APCI (Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization) source, can swiftly analyze trace amounts of illicit substances on various surfaces, including vehicle interiors, luggage, and clothing, without the need for extensive sample preparation. The process involves swabbing the suspected surface, inserting the swab into the Continuity™ system, and vaporizing the collected sample. The instrument then performs tandem mass spectrometry (MS2) to identify the specific substances present. Beyond border security, the application of this technology extends to airport security and other high-traffic areas where rapid drug detection is essential. TSA agents can utilize the Continuity™ system to swiftly screen passenger belongings for illicit drugs, contributing to safer travel environments. The ability to conduct these analyses on the spot significantly reduces the time and resources required for drug detection, making it a valuable tool for maintaining public safety. BaySpec Continuity™ Portable Mass Spectrometer was used equipped with a Swab-APCI source, specifically designed for TSA-approved swabs. The samples on swabs were converted into vapors via the Swab vaporizer unit, which then were drawn into the ionization chamber by the built-in sampling pump. The Swab-APCI source was operated at a constant temperature of 230 °C with a sampling gas flow rate of 800 mL/min. The APCI needle voltage was maintained at 3.5 kV throughout all experiments. The Continuity measurement software was run in full scan mode until an analyte’s MS1 peaks were detected, which then triggered the automated MS2 experiments to isolate and fragment the precursor ions. Limits of Detection (LOD) and the tracked MS1 and MS2 ions: Cocaine LOD 0.47 ng, precursor ion 304.2 m/z, fragment ion 182.0 m/z; Dexmedetomidine LOD 1.22 ng, precursor ion 201.1 m/z, fragment ion 95.1 m/z; Fentanyl LOD 0.39 ng, precursor ion 337.2 m/z, fragment ion 188.1 m/z; Heroin LOD 2.30 ng, precursor ion 370.2 m/z, fragment ion 165.1 m/z; Ketamine LOD 3.11 ng, precursor ion 238.1 m/z, fragment ion 125.1 m/z; MDMA LOD 0.73 ng, precursor ion 194.1 m/z, fragment ion 163.0 m/z; Methamphetamine LOD 1.45 ng, precursor ion 150.1 m/z, fragment ion 119.1 m/z; Norfentanyl LOD 0.41 ng, precursor ion 233.2 m/z, fragment ion 84.1 m/z; Oxycodone LOD 0.84 ng, precursor ion 316.2 m/z, fragment ion 298.1 m/z; Xylazine LOD 0.63 ng, precursor ion 221.1 m/z, fragment ion 164.1 m/z. We demonstrated the use of the Continuity™ Field Portable Mass Spectrometer equipped with a Swab-APCI ionization source for the detection and identification of various drugs. The capabilities of the instrument were assessed through the creation of calibration curves and surface sampling experiments using ten drug standards and four selected analytes: fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA. By serial diluting these standards in methanol, we established calibration curves and determined the instrument’s Limits of Detection (LODs) in MS2 mode. These experiments highlighted the instrument’s ability to detect trace amounts of drugs with high sensitivity and specificity. The performance of the Continuity™ field portable mass spectrometer in both controlled and real-world scenarios underscores its potential as a rapid, on-site analytical tool. The results obtained from triplicate measurements reinforce the reliability of this method, making it a valuable asset for law enforcement and public health agencies in their efforts to combat drug-related issues. This study confirms that the portable MS system can quickly and effectively identify illicit substances, offering a practical solution for field investigations and real-time decision-making.