Platform Improves High-speed Mass Spectrometry

Owlstone’s UltraFAIMS series is developed to enhance mass spectrometry (MS) by quickly simplifying complex mass spectra, separating isobaric ions and reducing background. It is a miniaturized chip-based FAIMS (field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry) platform technology. It can be interfaced with mass spectrometers to provide an additional in-source separation stage for isobaric analytes, protein and peptide charge states, large and small proteins, isomers and conformers. Miniaturizing the chip allowed the company to generate much higher field strengths than previous FAIMS systems. This means that a greater range of analytes can be separated, at faster speeds, without compromising the system sensitivity. The newly launched ion filters incorporate the miniaturized FAIMS chip, and can be retrofitted onto mass spectrometers. The low-cost modules have been shown to improve mass accuracy and detection limits, increase the level of quantitation and dynamic range, reduce background and provide additional real-time separation within LC peaks. Once installed, the platform can be turned on to provide extra separation, or turned off to allow transmission of all species simultaneously—there is no need to remove it from the system when not in use. Its small size (height, width and depth ~20 cm) and straightforward interface mean it can easily be added to an established laboratory setup.

Owlstone Ltd., 203.908.4848, www.owlstonenanotech.com