Patent ID: 7067801
Filing Date: 2006-06-27
Classification: G01N,H01J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for analyzing the presence of one or more immune system modulators in a complex mixture using mass spectrometry, comprising the steps of: a. obtaining a complex mixture for mass spectral analysis, wherein the complex mixture includes exhaled breath condensate, b. placing a sample of the complex mixture including the exhaled breath condensate on a substratum suitable for use in a mass spectrometer, c. saturating the sample with matrix material, d. allowing the sample to dry, e. inserting the sample into a mass spectrometer, and f. processing the sample in the mass spectrometer to obtain a mass spectrograph of the complex mixture including the exhaled breath condensate, wherein said processing includes determining, from the mass spectrograph, whether the sample of exhaled breath condensate includes one or more immune system modulators comprising at least a fragment of a protein.