Rapid Detection of 5-Alpha Reductase Inhibitors Using Ion Mobility Spectrometry
A proprietary Corona Discharge Ion Mobility Spectrometry (CD-IMS) platform for the rapid identification of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. Leveraging high proton affinity and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, the technology delivers sub-second analysis without vacuum pumps, enabling high-throughput pharmaceutical screening and quality control.
Overview
This solution offers a rapid, high-throughput method for identifying 5-alpha reductase inhibitors using proprietary Corona Discharge Ion Mobility Spectrometry (CD-IMS) technology. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors are important pharmaceutical compounds, and traditional detection methods often rely on mass spectrometry, which requires complex vacuum systems. By exploiting the high proton affinity of these molecules—driven by their amine nitrogen and fluorine-substituted benzene rings—this approach enables direct detection through atmospheric pressure chemical ionization. The result is a simplified analytical workflow that delivers results within seconds, making it well suited for pharmaceutical research, drug screening, and quality assurance applications.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Proprietary non-radioactive corona discharge ionization source for safe, stable operation
- Atmospheric pressure operation eliminates the need for vacuum pumps, reducing complexity and maintenance
- Detection sensitivity at parts-per-billion levels
- Sub-second analysis speed suitable for high-throughput screening
- Compact, robust instrument design suitable for both laboratory and field environments
- Separates compounds based on size, geometry, and mass for selective identification
- Capable of detecting 5-alpha reductase inhibitors within complex matrices with minimal sample preparation
How it works:
The instrument ionizes target compounds via atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, then separates ions based on their mobility through a drift gas. Compounds with high proton affinity, such as 5-alpha reductase inhibitors, are efficiently ionized and produce distinct, identifiable spectra. The non-radioactive corona discharge source replaces traditional radioactive ionization, offering comparable or superior sensitivity while simplifying regulatory and operational requirements.
Technology readiness level
The underlying CD-IMS platform has been validated through the detection of similar compound classes using the company's standalone IMS instrument, which operates at elevated temperatures with a non-radioactive ionization source. Future validation will focus on recording pure sample spectra to determine optimum detection conditions, evaluating inhibitor identification within complex matrices, developing selective identification methods with minimal sample preparation, and creating a streamlined tool and protocol for fast-throughput analysis. The core technology is commercially available, with ongoing development targeting pharmaceutical-specific applications.
About Detect Ion Tech Inc
Detect Ion Tech Inc. is a Canada-based startup and university spin-off specializing in the commercialization of proprietary Corona Discharge Ion Mobility Spectrometry (CD-IMS) technology. Founded by experts with extensive backgrounds in analytical instrumentation, the company develops research-grade ion mobility and time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Their primary innovation replaces traditional radioactive ionization sources with a stable, non-radioactive corona discharge source, which offers high sensitivity at parts-per-billion levels and allows for atmospheric-pressure operation without vacuum pumps or complex maintenance requirements. The technology is designed to separate compounds based on size, geometry, and mass, providing a faster alternative to traditional gas and liquid chromatography techniques for various chemical analysis applications.
The company’s instruments serve a wide range of industries including air and water quality monitoring, breath analysis, food chemistry, pharmaceutical testing, and petrochemical analysis. By providing compact, robust, and cost-effective analytical solutions, Detect Ion Tech enables academic researchers and industrial professionals to perform rapid qualitative and quantitative analyses on diverse samples, including explosives, narcotics, toxins, and environmental pollutants. The company supports its customers through the development of tailored analytical solutions and specialized software, leveraging decades of experience in physical and analytical chemistry to address complex trace analysis challenges across scientific and industrial sectors.
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