Abstract: A method for measuring or identifying a component of interest in a biological system is disclosed herein. The method includes positioning a fibre within the biological system, the fibre being at least partially coated with a polymeric extraction phase for adsorbing the component of interest from the biological system, the extraction phase being positioned within the biological system; adsorbing the component of interest onto the extraction phase; removing the fibre from the biological system; inserting the fiber into a nanospray needle; flowing solvent through the nanospray needle; desorbing the component of interest from the extraction phase into the solvent; and nanospraying the desorbed component of interest into an analytical instrument for measurement or identification.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a device for generating ionized molecules for analysis in a mass spectrometer. The device includes: a mesh substrate coated with an extraction phase, the extraction phase comprising a polymer that absorbs a molecule of interest from a matrix, or a polymer and solid phase microextraction (SPME) particles having pores dimensioned to absorb a molecule of interest from a matrix, where the mesh substrate has a sufficiently open structure to allow fluid to flow through the mesh substrate; and a solid substrate connected to the mesh substrate to provide stability to the coated mesh substrate. Mass spectrometry systems that include such a device are also described. Methods of analyzing an analyte previously extracted from a matrix onto the device are also described.

Abstract: A device is described for generating ionized molecules for analysis in a mass spectrometer. The device includes: a solid substrate having one or more edges and a coated area that is coated with an extraction phase comprising an extraction polymer. The solid substrate may have at least two edges that meet at an angle from about 8° to about 180°. Mass spectrometry systems that include such a device are also described. Methods of analyzing a molecule previously extracted from a sample onto the device are also described.

Abstract: Fibres with an extraction phase coated thereon in combination with a positioning device are described to perform adsorption of components of interest from an animal or animal tissue for the investigation of living systems. A number of interfaces to analytical instrumentation are disclosed including mass spectrometry, LC/MS, MALDI and CE as well as direct spectroscopic on-fibre measurement.

Abstract: A biocompatible coating, such as for a fiber, for solid phase microextraction (SPME) of a small molecule of interest from a matrix, with the coating having an extraction phase including SPME particles having pores dimensioned to absorb the small molecule of interest from the matrix and a biocompatible polymer being a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) or a co-polymer of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) that completely covers the SPME particles and homogeneously distributing the SPME particles therein and having reduced adsorption of proteins or macromolecules onto the SPME particles and allowing the SPME particles to extract the small molecule of interest from the matrix.

Abstract: There is described a coated solid phase microextraction (SPME) fiber for use in direct immersion SPME of a food matrix that includes carbohydrates. The coated SPME fiber includes a SPME fiber for absorbing a small molecule from the food matrix; and a protective coating which has a surface that is substantially uniform and substantially smooth, the protective coating reducing adsorption of the carbohydrates onto the SPME fiber and allowing the SPME fiber to extract the small molecule from the food matrix. A process for producing the coated SPME fiber and a method of performing solid phase microextraction are also described.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fiber or other device with a biocompatible coating for using the fiber in solid phase microextraction (SPME) of a small molecule of interest from a matrix. The process includes the step of coating the fiber/device with a coating of a biocompatible polymer and a solvent having solid phase microextraction (SPME) particles with pores dimensioned to absorb the small molecule of interest from the matrix suspended therein. The process also includes the steps of drying the coated fiber/device to remove the solvent and curing the dried coated fiber at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: There is described a coated solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibre for use in direct immersion SPME of a food matrix that includes carbohydrates. The coated SPME fibre includes a SPME fibre for absorbing a small molecule from the food matrix; and a protective coating which has a surface that is substantially uniform and substantially smooth, the protective coating reducing adsorption of the carbohydrates onto the SPME fibre and allowing the SPME fibre to extract the small molecule from the food matrix. A process for producing the coated SPME fibre and a method of performing solid phase microextraction are also described.

Abstract: Use of calibrant in extraction phase is described for quantification of components of interest in samples in laboratory application as well as in on-site monitoring. This approach is particularly useful for in-vivo investigation of living system.

Abstract: Use of calibrant in extraction phase is described for quantification of components of interest in samples in laboratory application as well as in on-site monitoring. This approach is particularly useful for in-vivo investigation of living systems.

Abstract: Use of calibrant in extraction phase is described for quantification of components of interest in samples in laboratory application as well as in on-site monitoring. This approach is particularly useful for in-vivo investigation of living systems.

Abstract: A device for carrying out solid phase microextraction on-site is a tubular member having one closed end and one open end with an extracting surface within said tubular member. The extracting surface can be an extracting phase coating extending over a zone within the tubular member. The tubular member is mounted in a housing with an airtight cavity. A method of operation of the device is also provided. The solid phase microextraction device facilitates the ultimate goal of chemist to perform analysis on-site at place where a sample is located rather than moving the sample to laboratory, as it is a common practice in many cases at present. This approach eliminates errors and reduces the time associated with sample transport and storage and, therefore, it results in more accurate, precise and faster analytical data.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micro cartridge and to a method of using the micro cartridge to sample and extract components of interest from a gas or a liquid. The cartridge contains a sorbent and has passages through which a pressure drop can be created to permit access between the gas or liquid and the sorbent. The micro cartridge is elongated and has one pointed end to fit into the injection port of a suitable analysis instrument where the components of interest are desorbed. The cartridge has two ends that are covered by removable closures and preferably has a diameter of less than 1 millimeter. The cartridge can be used with micro machine components and components made using nano technology.

Abstract: A biocompatible coating for solid phase microextraction (SPME) of a small molecule from a biological matrix. The coating comprises SPME particles and a biocompatible polymer. The biocompatible polymer (e.g. polyacrylonitrile) reduces adsorption of proteins or macromolecules onto the SPME particles and allows the SPME particles to extract the small molecule from the matrix. A process for coating a flexible fiber with a biocompatible coating. The process comprises: coating the fiber with a suspension of SPME particles, the SPME particles being suspended in a solution of a biocompatible polymer and a solvent, the biocompatible polymer can comprise polyacrylonitrile (PAN); drying the coated fiber to remove the solvent; and curing the dried coated fiber at an elevated temperature.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micro cartridge and to a method of using the micro cartridge to sample and extract components of interest from a gas or a liquid. The cartridge contains a sorbent and has passages through which a pressure drop can be created to permit access between the gas or liquid and the sorbent. The micro cartridge is elongated and has one pointed end to fit into the injection port of a suitable analysis instrument where the components of interest are desorbed. The cartridge has two ends that are covered by removable closures and preferably has a diameter of less than 1 millimeter. The cartridge can be used with micro machine components and components made using nano technology.

Abstract: This invention relates to a micro cartridge and to a method of using the micro cartridge to sample and extract components of interest from a gas or a liquid. The cartridge contains a sorbent and has passages through which a pressure drop can be created to permit access between the gas or liquid and the sorbent. The micro cartridge is elongated and has one pointed end to fit into the injection port of a suitable analysis instrument where the components of interest are desorbed. The cartridge has two ends that are covered by removable closures and preferably has a diameter of less than 1 millimeter. The cartridge can be used with micro machine components and components made using nano technology.

Abstract: Fibres with an extraction phase coated thereon in combination with a positioning device are described to perform adsorption of components of interest from an animal or animal tissue for the investigation of living systems. A number of interfaces to analytical instrumentation are disclosed including mass spectrometry, LC/MS, MALDI and CE as well as direct spectroscopic on-fibre measurement.

Abstract: Multiwell plate applications are describe for use with a plurality of fibres having an extraction phase coated thereon in combination with a positioning device. The device and method described are able to perform adsorption of components of interest from a biological system in high volume.

Abstract: Use of calibrant in extraction phase is described for quantification of components of interest in samples in laboratory application as well as in on-site monitoring. This approach is particularly useful for in-vivo investigation of living systems.

Abstract: A method and device for determining the concentration of analytes in a sample. The device has a surface with an extraction coating thereon. The method is carried out while the sample is highly agitated to maintain a substantially constant boundary layer. The sample is brought into contact with the coating for a limited time so that all the analytes that pass through the boundary layer are adsorbed by the coating. The amount of analytes in the coating is determined and the concentration of those same analytes in the sample is then calculated from the diffusion coefficient of the analytes. The device is first calibrated using analytes of known concentration.