Novel 3D Printed Paper-based Microfluidic Device for Paper Spray Ionization (μPAD-MS) and Chromatography Analysis of Psychoactive Drugs in Human Plasma

Muhammad Faizul Zaki；Yi-Hsin Wu；Pin-Chuan Chen；Pai-Shan Chen

微系統暨奈米科技協會會刊

50期（2023 / 12 / 31）

23 - 31

英文

This work introduces a novel 3D-printed paper-based microfluidic device integrated with mass spectrometry (μPAD-MS) that allows ionization and chromatography analysis of drugs in real samples. Utilizing stereolithography 3D printing and a digital mask, the fine structure of the microchannel was successfully printed within a second. This solid channel structure enabled a continuous mobile phase, extending the spray lifetime to 50 minutes and being able to be reused for up to 5 cycles with maintained high-intensity signals (10^5). Chromatography of a drug mixture in 1 μL plasma utilized gradient elution mobile phase (100% and 50% acetonitrile), successfully separating methamphetamine, 7-aminonitrazepam, and morphine-3-g. This separation resulted in distinct peak signals in the chromatograms. Detection limits for the three drugs in water and plasma matrices exhibited excellent linearity (R^2>0.99) and were below sub-ng．mL^(-1). These findings highlight how μPAD-MS simplifies ambient ionization, significantly enhancing the sensitivity and specificity of paper spray techniques.