Market Profile: Ion Trap Time-of Flight (IT-TOF) Mass Spectrometry

The world of mass spectrometry has been evolving at an astounding rate as developers push what is an inherently powerful analytical technique to even higher levels of capability. Numerous configurations of tandem mass analyzers have been commercialized, with one of the most recent being ion-trap time-of-flight.

Ion-trap time-of-flight (IT-TOF) is essentially a variant of the quadrupole TOF, and was developed to meet the need of those scientists who need MSⁿ capability with the precursor ion selection and the high-resolution capabilities that traditional Q-TOF provides. IT-TOF is therefore able to provide powerful structural analysis of compounds in complex matrices, in addition to highly accurate mass measurement, making it useful in applications such as biomarker discovery, metabolite ID, proteomics research, clinical research, drug development, and forensics.

Q-TOF Mass Spectrometry Market, 2005

The first commercially available IT-TOF was the Radiance Pro, which was developed by Syagen in 2001. It was a relatively low-cost system that was marketed for security and forensics applications. Although the Radiance Pro has since been discontinued, the same IT-TOF technology is included in Syagen's new Guardian portal inspection system. Shimadzu's Kratos division introduced the AXIMA-QIT in 2002, which was a MALDI-IT-TOF system, followed in 2005 by Shimadzu Biotech's introduction of its LC-IT-TOF. Hitachi has also developed an LC-IT-TOF system, which uses a linear ion trap design, and is now in the process of introducing its system worldwide.

IT-TOF accounted for about 5% of the more than $230 million Q-TOF market in 2005, but should see strong double-digit growth. The entrance of any one of the top mass spectrometer suppliers into this market segment would magnify initial growth.

The foregoing data were extracted from SDi's market analysis and perspectives report entitled Mass Spectrometry: Ultra-High Performance and Innovation Reshape the Market. For more information, contact Stuart Press, Senior Consultant, Strategic Directions International, Inc., 6242 Westchester Parkway, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90045, (310) 641-4982, fax: (310) 641-8851, www.strategic-directions.com.