PRINCIPLE OF INDUCTIVELY COUPLED PLASMA - MASS SPECTROMETRY (ICP-MS)
This technology couples use of an ICP with MS for elemental analysis by generation of ions. The ICP is involved in generation of a high temperature plasma source at 10,000 degree Celsius, through which the pre-treated sample is passed. The elements in the sample at such high temperature are ionized and directed further into the MS. The MS then sorts the ions according to their mass/charge ratio followed by directing them to an electron multiplier tube detector. This detector then identifies and quantifies each ion.
The advantages include sensitivity and precision for its ability to quantify elements in any source like blood, serum, urine, water, etc.