| abstract |
The present invention combines microdialysis with mass spectrometry, for example continuous flow fast atom bombardment, to follow the pharmacokinetics of drugs or other compounds directly in the blood stream or tissues of a live animal. After intramuscular injection of the drug, the blood dialysate from a microdialysis probe inserted into a blood vessel or tissue of the animal, is allowed to flow into the mass spectrometer via the continuous flow fast atom bombardment interface. Tandem mass spectrometry allows for isolating and recording the ion fragments produced from the drug as the dialysate is exposed to the ionization process. The detected concentration of the drug or other compounds of interest can be used to adjust the rate of administration of the drug. |