“After seeing Dr. [Livia] Eberlin’s fascinating work using the ‘MasSpec Pen’ on non-destructive sampling of tissues for cancer identification, I became very interested in investigating how this technology could be used for rapid, non-invasive toxicology screening in clinics and acute care settings,” says study co-author William Clarke.

“Access to this information in real time could allow for earlier intervention for patients at risk for drug overdose or in need of substance use treatment.”

A common analytical method for detecting opioids in blood, saliva and urine samples is liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LCMS). Clinic-based LCMS screening offers excellent detection and sensitivity, but sample collection and preparation is complicated and time-consuming. In addition to body fluids, opioids are also distributed in the skin.