Methods and systems for opioid detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to detection systems for detecting an opioid compound by use of pyrolysis, as well as methods thereof. In particular, the systems are configured to detect the presence of a backbone fragment indicative of a class of opioid compounds, including opioid analogues.

1 . A detection system comprising:
 a collector comprising a substrate having surface area and a heater wiring, wherein the collector is configured to capture an analyte and to pyrolyze the analyte, and wherein the surface area is configured to thermally decompose the analyte at a first temperature to provide a plurality of backbone fragments indicative of a compound being in an opioid class and to thermally decompose the plurality of backbone fragments at a second temperature to provide a plurality of secondary fragments indicative of a structure of the compound being in the opioid class;   an electrical control circuit connected to the heater wiring, wherein the electrical control circuit is configured to provide the first temperature from about 500° C. to about 900° C. at the surface area of the substrate and to provide the second temperature at the surface area of the substrate that is greater than the first temperature;   a micro gas chromatograph comprising a micro gas chromatograph column and a stationary phase disposed on a surface of the micro gas chromatograph column, wherein the stationary phase is configured to interact with the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments and to elute the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments;   a first carrier gas inlet configured to provide a first carrier gas to transport the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments from the collector to the micro gas chromatograph;   a micro detector configured to detect the presence of the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments; and   a second carrier gas inlet configured to provide a second carrier gas to transport the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments eluted from the micro gas chromatograph to the micro detector.   
     
     
         2 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises a metal mesh. 
     
     
         3 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the collector comprises a metal foam. 
     
     
         4 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the heater wiring is disposed on a surface of the substrate. 
     
     
         5 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the heater wiring is integrated with the substrate. 
     
     
         6 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising a feature configured to flow air across the surface area during pyrolysis. 
     
     
         7 . The detection system of  claim 6 , wherein the feature comprises a fin or a planar heater. 
     
     
         8 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical control circuit is configured to provide the second temperature that is greater about 700° C. at the surface area of the substrate. 
     
     
         9 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical control circuit is configured to monitor a change in one or more electrical characteristics of the heater wiring in response to heat liberated from pyrolysis of the analyte. 
     
     
         10 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the micro gas chromatograph comprises a silicon micro gas chromatograph column, 
     
     
         11 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the micro detector comprises a miniature ion mobility spectrometer. 
     
     
         12 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the micro detector comprises a surface acoustic wave sensor. 
     
     
         13 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first carrier gas outlet in fluidic communication with the collector, wherein the first carrier gas outlet is configured to remove the first carrier gas, the plurality of backbone fragments, and the plurality of secondary fragments from the collector to the micro gas chromatograph.   
     
     
         14 . The detection system of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a second carrier gas outlet in fluidic communication with micro gas chromatograph, wherein the second carrier gas outlet is configured to remove the second carrier gas, the plurality of backbone fragments, and the plurality of secondary fragments eluted from the micro gas chromatograph to the micro detector, and wherein the second carrier gas inlet is in fluidic communication with the first carrier gas outlet; and   a third carrier gas inlet in fluidic communication with the second carrier gas outlet, wherein the third carrier gas inlet is configured to introduce the second carrier gas, the plurality of backbone fragments, and the plurality of secondary fragments into the micro detector.   
     
     
         15 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the compound being in the opioid class has a structure of formula (I), (Ia), or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The detection system of  claim 15 , wherein at least one of the plurality of backbone fragments has a structure of formula (II), (IIa), (V), (Va), or a salt thereof; and/or wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary fragments has a structure of formula (III), (IIIa), (IV), (IVa), (VI), (VIa), (VII), (VIIa), or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The detection system of  claim 1 , wherein the compound being in the opioid class has a structure of formula (VIII), (VIIIa), (VIIIb), or (IX) or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The detection system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the plurality of backbone fragments has a structure of formula (X), (XII), or a salt thereof; and/or wherein at least one of the plurality of secondary fragments has a structure of (XI), (XIII), (XIV), or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The detection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a micro preconcentrator comprising a sorptive material, wherein the sorptive material is configured to releasably sorb and concentrate the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments; and a resistive heating element configured to heat the sorptive material, thereby releasing the plurality of backbone fragments and the plurality of secondary fragments.   
     
     
         20 . The detection system of  claim 19 , wherein the micro preconcentrator is disposed between the collector and the micro gas chromatograph.