Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed a groundbreaking blood testing method that can detect potent opioids, such as fentanyl, in record time. This innovation promises to save lives by providing faster results than traditional approaches.

The new method allows for the simultaneous analysis of 96 blood samples in less than three minutes, doubling the speed of existing techniques.

“The key advantage of our method is its speed, which is crucial in emergency situations where rapid identification of substances can be lifesaving,” said Emir Nazdrajić, a postdoctoral fellow in Waterloo’s Department of Chemistry and co-author of the study. “For instance, if someone has overdosed and is in the emergency room, doctors can quickly determine the substances involved and administer appropriate treatment.”

Fentanyl, an opioid 50 times more potent than heroin, claimed over 70,000 lives in the United States in 2022. In Canada, approximately 7,000 people die annually from fentanyl overdoses, with British Columbia experiencing the highest per capita rate in North America.

The Waterloo method involves placing a small blood sample in a 96-well plate with a phosphate buffer. The plate is then agitated, and a solid phase microextraction (SPME) probe is used to enhance the detection of drugs. The sample is subsequently analyzed using a mass spectrometer coupled with a microfluidic open interface, delivering results in about 90 seconds.

“There is a significant demand for rapid mass spectrometry screening methods that can reduce turnaround time, costs, and improve detection limits,” said Dr. Janusz Pawliszyn, corresponding author of the study and a professor in Waterloo’s Department of Chemistry. “Our method not only targets fentanyl but also other drugs and certain diseases.”

The study, co-authored by Nazdrajić, Pawliszyn, and Daniel Ricket, a PhD candidate in Waterloo’s Department of Chemistry, was recently published in the journal Analytical Chemistry.