From exhale to insight in split seconds: the unrivaled capability of direct, real-time PTR-MS breath analysis
IONICON PTR-TOFMS sets new standards in trace gas analysis through several key technical advantages. Firstly, it enables true real-time online monitoring, in which air is continuously drawn directly into the instrument to capture data in a fraction of a second – in contrast to conventional offline methods, which require tedious sample preparation or storage followed by lengthy gas chromatographic (GC) analysis. Secondly, the well-defined PTR ion chemistry with its soft ion-molecule reactions facilitates quantitatively detecting trace compounds down to single-digit pptv-levels from a single exhalation. Furthermore, the system offers exceptional mass resolution, enabling it to easily isolate and identify isobaric species. Finally, the integration of the Buffered End-Tidal BET inlet enhances the end-tidal fraction and is an ideal interface for human breath sampling for sampling, thereby providing highly accurate and reproducible data for clinical applications.
Key applications featured in the video:
- Nose- & Mouth-Space Analysis:
Instantly track in-vivo flavor release and aroma perception while subjects consume food or beverages, providing crucial objective data for sensory science. - E-Cigarette & Vaping Studies:
Directly monitor the uptake, pulmonary retention, and exhalation of complex aerosol compounds on a precise, breath-by-breath basis. - Monitoring Metabolic Processes:
Observe real-time physiological responses and pharmacokinetics, tracking exactly how the body metabolizes and clears specific VOCs – from smoking residues to dietary compounds. - Continuous In-Vivo Monitoring:
Map dynamic kinetic trends without missing a single exhalation, capturing the exact moment biochemical shifts occur in the human body. - Unambiguous Identification of the Chemical Composition with the FUSION PTR-TOF:
Leverage exceptionally high mass resolution to separate isobaric compounds, ensuring complex biomarkers are confidently identified even within highly complex samples like human breath.