AS238: Application of Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) to the Containment Performance of Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTDs)

Martin Perkins

14th September 2020

CSTD Analysis: This Application Note describes the use of SIFT-MS to measure small volume leaks from Closed System Transfer Devices (CSTDs).

Using propylene glycol methyl ether (PGME) as a surrogate, it has been shown that SIFT-MS can detect sub-microlitre volume leaks from these devices, following the testing protocols developed by NIOSH.

Depending on the concentration used, the limits of detection for this technique suggest that leaks as small as 10 nanolitres should detected, significantly lower than current techniques such as FTIR.

Additionally, the real-time capabilities of SIFT-MS gives it excellent temporal response, sensitivity and selectivity of detection, covering the ideal requirements of detection for CSTD analysis in a single instrument.

The operation of the SIFT-MS is also straightforward, when compared to TD-GC-MS – another suggested technique for this type of analysis, which can achieve good sensitivity but is not capable of real-time detection.

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