Thermo Fisher Scientific reports the success of its liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) at Ameritox, a provider of forensic and specialty toxicology laboratory services
The Thermo Scientific TSQ Quantum Access triple quadrupole mass spectrometer, combined with the Thermo Scientific Aria TLX-4 system, uses TurboFlow and multiplexing technologies to offer the industry's most advanced, most sensitive analytical method for clinical research labs like Ameritox.
By implementing this advanced LC-MS/MS method, Ameritox has reduced the amount of time spent on sample preparation and increased its mass spectrometry throughput for forensic and specialty toxicology assessments.
The Thermo Scientific TurboFlow technology uses turbulent flow chromatography to separate analytes from biological matrices prior to MS/MS analysis.
Unlike traditional technologies, the TurboFlow method injects the sample directly onto a narrow diameter TurboFlow column.
By eliminating extraction, derivitization and evaporation, Ameritox has reduced the lengthy sample preparation time traditionally associated with other methods.
The Aria TLX-4 is the only truly independent, parallel, multi-channel high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) system in the industry.
It utilizes Thermo Scientific Aria software to manage all aspects of the process and allows as many as four sample batches to run at the same time, each with a unique method.
By maximising this multiplexing system, Ameritox has recognised increased productivity - essentially the output of four separate, parallel LC systems from a single mass spectrometer - and avoided the high capital costs associated with other methods.
"We are very pleased with the performance of the Aria TLX-4 multiplexing system with TurboFlow technology," commented James Bourland, laboratory director, Ameritox.
"With the assistance of the Thermo Fisher Scientific field services staff, we have successfully transferred two high-volume confirmations to LC-MS/MS.
"As a result, we have realised efficiencies by eliminating extractions and reducing the analysis time and turnaround time.
"In addition, the quality and reliability of the LC-MS/MS data is superior to our previous method."
