System speeds up analysis of blood and urine and is capable of identifying 100 commonly abused drugs. System includes computer that controls entire analytical process by ordering various steps in specific sequences. Computer processes data output and has readout of identified drugs

Campen, C. F., Jr.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

. 
November 1974	 B74-10213 
NASA TECH BRIEF S	 NASA Pasadena Office 
NASA Tech Briefs announce new technology derived from the U.S. space program. They are issued to encourage 
commercial application. Tech Briefs are available on a subscription basis from the National Technical Information 
Service, Springfield, Virginia 22151. Requests for individual copies or questions relating to the Tech Brief program may 
be directed to the Technology Utilization Office, NASA, Code KT, Washington, D.C. 20546. 
Automated Drug Identification System 
The problem: 
With the high incidence of drug abuse, the develop-
ment of a rapid method for the treatment of people 
suffering from drug overdosage is urgent. Since many 
of these people are in a coma when they are hospitalized, 
the only way to find out what drugs they used is by 
analyzing their blood or urine. Unfortunately this takes 
time, and time in emergencies is critical. Yet it is 
equally dangerous to treat such patients without know-
ing what drugs have been taken.
The solution: 
An automated drug identification (AUDRI) system 
has been developed to speed up the analysis of blood 
and urine. The system is capable of identifying 100 
commonly abused drugs. 
How it's done: 
The system, as shown in the simplified block diagram, 
includes a computer that controls the entire analytical 
process by ordering various steps in specific sequences. 
.
	 Automated Drug Identification System
(continued overleaf) 
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The computer also processes data output and has a 
readout of identified drugs. Drugs are identified using a 
drug identification system which includes the following 
units: a sample input, a sample processor, a number 
(four shown) of pre-gas-chromatograph units connected 
to their respective chromatographs, a peak storage unit, 
and a spectrometer. 
Blood or urine samples are introduced into the system 
in separate extractor tubes. The blood samples are 
warmed in the processor reactor chamber to drive off 
volatile drugs directly to one of the gas chromatographs. 
The urine samples, on the other hand, are hydrolized 
for further processing. At that point, both blood and 
urine are treated with acidic, basic, and neutral proc-
essing through a sequence of steps. 
Throughout the processing, the extractor tubes con-
taining the samples are mechanically transported to 
different pre -gas-chromatograph units. Each pre-gas-
chromatograph unit collects part of the sample and 
prepares it for its respective chromatograph by vapor-
izing the processing chemicals used in the prior steps. 
Each chromatograph in the system processes a different 
drug family. For example, one chromatograph processes 
barbituates, aspirin, diazepam, and meprobamate. An-
other processes amphetamines, phentermine, cocaine, 
and Darvon. 
The samples in each chromatograph are separated 
into different fractions. These fractions are monitored 
by a detector which measures the concentration of 
every component as a function of time to indicate its 
relative quantity. The time of the maximum electrical
output of each detector, i.e., the elution time of every 
component, is sent to the computer for comparison 
with that of the standard drugs. When the comparison is 
positive, the gas is fed to the peak storage unit and then 
to the spectrometer for spectral analysis. The results of 
the analysis are fed to the computer which provides a 
printout of identified drugs. 
Notes: 
1. Besides its significance to drug analysis, the system 
can also be programed for other uses, for example, 
testing the constituents of pollution in the en-
vironment. 
2. Requests for further information may be directed to: 
Technology Utilization Officer 
NASA Pasadena Office 
4800 Oak Grove Drive 
Pasadena, California 91103 
Reference: TSP74-102 13 
Patent status: 
Title to this invention has been waived under the 
provisions of the National Aeronautics and Space Act 
[42 U.S.C. 2457(f)], to the California Institute of 
Technology, Pasadena, California 91109. 
Source: Charles F. Campen, Jr., of
Caltech/JPL
under contract to
NASA Pasadena Office
(NPO-13063)
is 
B74-10213	 Category 05,04


Automated drug identification system

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