The number of drug-related emergency room visits in the United States doubled from 2004 to 2009 to 4.6 million.Consequently there is a critical need to rapidly identify the offending drug(s), so that the appropriate medical care can be administered.In an effort to meet this taylormade tp ardmore 2 need we have been investigating the ability of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) to detect and identify numerous drugs in saliva at ng/mL concentrations within 10 minutes.
Identification is provided by matching measured spectra to a SERS library comprised of over 150 different drugs, each of which possess a unique spectrum.Trace detection is provided by fused gold colloids trapped within a porous glass matrix that generate SERS.Speed is provided by a syringe-driven sample system that uses a solid-phase extraction capillary combined with a SERS-active capillary in series.Spectral collection biffy clyro vinyl offers is provided by a portable Raman analyzer.
Here we describe successful measurement of representative illicit, prescribed, and over-the-counter drugs by SERS, and 50 ng/mL copyright in saliva as part of a focused study.