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Quality testing starts with quality instrumentation

AIT prides itself on being a science-based, technology-driven company that has invested more than 40 percent of total revenue over the last 18 months on cutting-edge technology and science-related initiatives. Our instrumentation is more sensitive and more diverse than most testing labs in the country, and our sophisticated methodologies are better able to detect substances having a wide range of chemical and physical characteristics that might normally go undetected.

One of the first toxicology labs in the country to perform clinical testing using LC/MS, AIT continues to take the lead in using cutting-edge technology to provide accurate results, minimize the physician’s risk, and improve patient care.

About our technology

Investing in revolutionary technology has always been a top priority for AIT. Our laboratory uses a variety of instruments, from the tried-and-true GC/MS to the LC/MS, which AIT first started using in 2001. AIT has more than 100 years of combined intellectual experience using LC/MS.

Recently, AIT pushed the envelope by delving into the next generation in liquid chromatography systems – UPLC/MS/MS and UPLC/TOF – which offer faster run times and better resolution of analytes compared to HPLC. 

This wide range of instrumentation has allowed AIT to:

• Minimize sample preparation by creating a single-dilution extraction
• Create the largest spectral library database of compounds in North America using TOF technology
• Provide the most accurate identification and quantitation using LC/MS/MS and LC/TOF – accurate mass determination to 4 decimal places allows for unambiguous identification of compounds
• Improve the average run time per sample to 3 to 5 minutes
• Surpass industry standards with more efficient methodology – a sample run time of 30 minutes by GC/MS detecting up to 40 to 50 drugs becomes a run time of 8 minutes detecting over 300 drugs by the newest UPLC/TOF methodology
• Identify all substances in just one test using TOF-MS
• Implement methods with great sensitivity, allowing for identification and quantitation of drugs that would otherwise go undetected
• Significantly reduce failure rates and turnaround time
• Decrease the physician’s risk and improve patient care

About our equipment

GC/MS
(Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry)

• “Gold standard” in forensic toxicology testing used for identification and quantitation of known and unknown compounds
• High sensitivity and separation efficiency allow for separation of analytes having similar chemical characteristics and properties

LC/MS/MS
(Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry/Mass Spectrometry)

• Uses ultra performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) for separation of individual components of a complex mixture – an emerging analytical technique – coupled to mass spectrometry to  generate what is effectively a  “chemical fingerprint” that is unique for each drug. This enables positive identification and quantitation at very low levels.
  • Draws upon basic chromatography principles to run separations at higher flow rates for increased speed while  achieving superior resolution and sensitivity at the same time
  • The high speed separation of components allows for a nine-fold increase in sample throughput without compromising the quality of results. This translates into testing more samples in a shorter period of time and significantly reducing turnaround time!

UPLC/TOF-MS
(Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry) 

• Unique to AIT Laboratories – ideally suited for forensic toxicology
• Current development project directed at extending use to pain management testing
• Ultra-sensitive detection allows for smaller specimen requirements and trace level detection and identification
• Customized spectral library includes more than 300 drugs
• Simple specimen preparation and faster analysis run times – 75 % faster compared to traditional approaches

For more information about AIT, please contact us:

AIT Laboratories
2265 Executive Drive
Indianapolis, IN 46241
Phone: 800-875-3894
E-mail: clientservices@aitlabs.com

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