908 Devices ZipChip® Microfluidic Electrospray Ionization (ESI) Source for Mass Spectrometry

Overview

The 908 Devices ZipChip® platform is a microfluidic electrospray ionization (ESI) source engineered for direct coupling to benchtop and high-resolution mass spectrometers. Unlike conventional liquid chromatography (LC)-based workflows, ZipChip integrates sample preparation, desalting, and chromatographic separation into a single, disposable microfluidic chip—eliminating the need for pumps, valves, or external solvent delivery systems. Operating on the principle of electrokinetically driven capillary electrophoresis within nanoscale channels, the ZipChip enables rapid, high-efficiency separation of peptides, proteins, metabolites, and other polar biomolecules directly from complex biological matrices. Its design supports true plug-and-play integration: the chip is secured via a standardized bayonet mount onto compatible mass spectrometer inlets (e.g., Thermo Orbitrap, Sciex TripleTOF, Waters SYNAPT), and selected as the active ion source within the instrument control software. This architecture reduces total analysis time to under five minutes per sample while delivering peak capacity and resolution that exceed those achievable with typical nano-LC gradients—particularly for highly charged, low-abundance species.

Key Features

• Microfluidic chip-based ESI source with integrated sample cleanup, fractionation, and ionization—all in one device
• Bayonet-style mechanical interface ensures repeatable alignment and stable electrical contact with MS inlet systems
• No external LC pumps, tubing, or mobile phase reservoirs required—minimizes system footprint and maintenance overhead
• Disposable chips eliminate carryover and cross-contamination; batch-tested for consistent spray stability and sensitivity
• Compatible with both positive- and negative-ion mode operation across a broad m/z range (50–4000 Da)
• Optimized for low-volume samples (1–10 µL); supports direct injection of crude lysates, plasma digests, and cell culture supernatants
• Chip surface chemistry configurable for reversed-phase, hydrophilic interaction (HILIC), or mixed-mode separations

Sample Compatibility & Compliance

The ZipChip platform accommodates diverse biological sample types including enzymatically digested proteomes, intact monoclonal antibodies, glycopeptides, small-molecule metabolites, and lipid extracts. It has been validated for use in regulated environments requiring traceability and data integrity: chip lot numbers are laser-etched and recorded in audit logs; method files include embedded chip ID metadata. While not a standalone analytical instrument, the ZipChip complies with ISO/IEC 17025 general requirements for competence of testing and calibration laboratories when deployed as part of an accredited MS workflow. Its operational simplicity supports adherence to GLP and GMP principles—particularly during early-stage biopharmaceutical characterization where rapid turnaround and inter-laboratory reproducibility are critical.

Software & Data Management

ZipChip operation is fully controlled through native mass spectrometer acquisition software (e.g., Thermo BioPharma Finder, Sciex OS, Waters UNIFI). No proprietary driver or middleware is required. Method setup includes chip selection, voltage ramping profiles, and ESI current monitoring—all accessible via standard instrument parameter tables. Raw data files retain full provenance: chip serial number, date/time stamp, operator ID (if integrated with LDAP or Active Directory), and real-time current/voltage telemetry. For labs operating under FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements, the platform supports electronic signatures and audit trail generation when paired with compliant LIMS or ELN systems. All chip performance metrics—including spray duration, signal stability (RSD <8% over 3 min), and baseline noise—are automatically logged and exportable in CSV or .mzML format.

Applications

• Rapid characterization of therapeutic proteins and biosimilars—including charge variant profiling, deamidation mapping, and oxidation site localization
• High-throughput peptide screening in discovery proteomics, especially for phosphoproteome enrichment workflows
• Metabolite identification in serum, urine, and tissue extracts without derivatization or offline fractionation
• Real-time monitoring of bioreactor samples during upstream process development
• On-site clinical research applications where portability and minimal infrastructure are essential (e.g., point-of-care biomarker validation)
• Complementary orthogonal separation to LC-MS for resolving co-eluting isobaric species in top-down proteomics

FAQ

Is ZipChip compatible with my existing mass spectrometer?
Yes—ZipChip is mechanically and electrically compatible with most commercial benchtop and high-resolution mass spectrometers equipped with standard ESI inlets, including models from Thermo Fisher Scientific, Sciex, Waters, and Bruker.
Do I need to modify my instrument firmware or install additional software?
No. ZipChip functions as a hardware replacement for conventional ESI sources and requires no firmware updates or third-party drivers.
How many analyses can be performed per chip?
Each ZipChip is designed for single-use operation; reuse is not recommended due to irreversible adsorption and potential channel fouling.
Can ZipChip replace traditional LC-MS for quantitative assays?
It is not intended for absolute quantitation without matrix-matched calibration; however, it delivers excellent relative quantitation precision (CV <12%) for comparative studies such as differential expression or stability testing.
What regulatory documentation is provided with each chip shipment?
Each box includes a Certificate of Conformance listing lot number, manufacturing date, sterility status (if applicable), and QC test summary (including pressure drop and spray stability metrics).