Abstract: In a general aspect, chemical compounds (e.g., drugs, agrochemicals, and explosives) are detected. In some examples, a chemical detection system includes a container, an ionization system, a mass spectrometer, one or more computer systems, a sampling probe, and a control system. The sampling probe is configured to receive a liquid solvent from the container; to hold a fixed volume of the liquid solvent in direct contact with a sample surface for a period of time to form an analyte in the sampling probe; and to deliver the analyte to the ionization system. The ionization system is configured to ionize the analyte. The mass spectrometer is configured to produce mass spectrometry data by processing the ionized analyte provided by the ionization system. The one or more computer systems are configured to analyze the mass spectrometry data to detect a chemical compound present on the sample surface.

Abstract: In a general aspect, methods and devices are provided for using mass spectrometry to identify endometriosis. In some aspects, a fixed or discrete volume of a solvent is applied to a tissue site including possible endometriosis tissue. The applied solvent is collected to obtain a liquid sample. The liquid sample is subjected to mass spectrometry analysis. The liquid sample is collected from a tissue site in vivo during a medical procedure. The mass spectrometry data are analyzed to identify whether the tissue site comprises endometriosis.