Development of a Miniature Mass Spectromtry System for Point-of-Care Applications

DESCRIPTIONprovided by applicantMass spectrometryMSis the "gold standard" for chemical analysis and has been widely applied due to its high sensitivityhigh specificity as wellas high quantitation precisionTraditional chemical analysis using MS requires complex proceduresincluding multiple steps for sample preparationchromatographic separationMS analysis and data analysisEquipment typically required is large and of high cost for ownership$Kand maintenanceThe entire procedure is labor intense and requires expertise in laboratory techniques for analytical chemistry and mass spectrometryIn this proposed projectPURSPEC Technologies Incin collaboration with Purdue Universitywill develop a new mass spectrometry product that will transform the MS analysis for point of carePOCapplicationsPURSPEC TechnologiesIncan Indiana based small businesshas been founded to develop miniature MS products based on the research development at Purdue Universitywhich has been sponsored by NIH projectsRGMandRRRA series of technologies and research prototypes have been developed at Purdue for ambient ionization and miniature of mass spectrometersThe proposed product will address the shortcomings of the existing MS products for laboratory and in field applications and will fulfill an unmet need in the commercial market for drug discovery and clinical analysisDue to the depth of existing knowledge and the expertise of the team involvedas well as successful preliminary and feasibility studiesPURSPEC is seeking a Direct to Phase II awardThe goal of this STTR Direct to Phase II is to develop a complete POC MS system as a product prototype and its associated operational protocol for chemical analysis at local clinical sites and ultimately for personal health careAimDevelop a product prototype for POC MS system with improved robustnessenhanced sensitivity and quantitation precisionsAimDesign the sampling cartridge and optimize the sample handling protocolAimDevelop the software and database supporting the POC MS systemandAimValidate the integrated POC MS system and analysis protocolsThe expected outcome from the Phase II efforts is the delivery of the product prototype of a first POC MS system with a relatively complete solution for clinical analysisImmediately following the successfully Phase IIPURSPEC will prepare to commercialize the affordableeasy to use and self contained portable deviceA considerable market exists for such a device