Mass Spectrometry (MS) is a powerful analytical method that has the ability to detect and indicate concentrations of chemical and biological compounds in a sample. In a clinical setting, mass spectrometry has a wide range of usefulness: drug abuse detection, disease diagnosis and screening, medication dosage control/tracking, and drug interaction indications.
 

However, currently, limitations to clinical usage of mass spectrometers include the size and cost of mass spectrometers and the necessary sample preparation. The Weldon Senior Design Team has developed a desktop printer size mass spectrometer which will take a sample of blood (no special preparation needed) and process the sample to indicate the presence of a particular compound. In addition to identifying the presence of a particular compound, the Weldon Senior Design Team has developed a Graphical User Interface (GUI) which will eliminate the need for a chemist to interpret the mass spectrometry data; instead, the GUI will display and clearly indicate the concentration of a particular compound in the sample.
 

To tackle the development of a clinical mass spectrometer the Weldon Senior Design Team divided into 4 subgroup teams that were responsible for developing the ability of the device to (1) accept and ionize a sample, (2) mass analyze and detect ions, (3) establish and maintain electronic control for the entire device and acquire data, and (4) provide a user interface and data interpretation.
 

• The sample ionization team has designed a disposable cartridge component that allows a user to apply a biological sample (i.e, blood) and then snap in the cartridge to the MS assembly component. Embedded in this cartridge is a copper electrode that supplies the necessary voltage to ionize the sample.
• The MS assembly has developed a method for separating and isolating the ions from the sample based on the ions’ mass-to-charge (m/z) ratio through the use of electromagnetic fields. The separated ions are then sent to an ion detector. To optimize operating conditions, the MS assembly team developed a mass analyzer simulation which takes frequency, voltage, and ion properties as inputs, then, outputs a mass spectrum and ion trajectory.
• The controls team has developed a method using power distribution boards and control boards to supply all power needs for the whole system and to control the sequencing of each component in the system. In addition to supplying power and control, the controls team designed the data acquisition component of the clinical mass spectrometer.
• The data analysis team has developed a GUI to minimize user error and a data interpretation algorithm to fully automate the process and analysis of data, thereby reducing user error and eliminating the need for an expert to interpret the data. The GUI will notify the user of any testing errors that occur due to sample loading and processing and will display the concentration of a specified compound so that no mass spectrum analysis is required.
 

We would like to acknowledge the strong support from the Center for Analytical Instrumentation Development (CAID) to the Senior Design project “Clinical Mass Spectrometer”. A light snack and beverage service will be available during the design demonstrations.