BURLINGTON, Mass. — 908 Devices has introduced new capabilities for its handheld MX908 mass spectrometry device, including a redesigned mission mode for hazardous vapor sampling and the addition of new drug targets aimed at helping first responders make faster, more informed decisions in the field.
The updates are designed to improve usability and expand the MX908’s ability to identify trace chemicals at the point of need. A new mission mode replaces the device’s previous Hazard Survey function with a more focused Toxic Industrial Chemical Hunter mode, providing a simpler and more intuitive workflow for detecting hazardous vapors. The company said the updated mode offers clearer guidance and faster conclusions in real-world response scenarios.
MX908’s mission modes, which include Drug Hunter, Explosives Hunter, and Chemical Warfare Hunter, have evolved to provide broader coverage and higher confidence in results. The addition of the dedicated toxic industrial chemical mode is intended to give first responders a purpose-built tool for assessing potential vapor threats.
In response to changes in the illicit drug landscape, 908 Devices has also added five priority drug targets to the MX908. Among them is medetomidine, a non-opioid veterinary sedative often mixed with fentanyl and sometimes referred to as “rhino tranq.” The substance is significantly more potent than xylazine and has been linked to severe withdrawal symptoms requiring intensive medical care. Medetomidine was first reported in the Philadelphia drug supply in mid-2024 and has since spread to other cities in the eastern and midwestern United States.
Additional drug targets now supported by the MX908 include the synthetic cathinone N-isopropyl butylone, two synthetic cannabinoids, ADB-PINACA and MDMB-BINACA, and the benzodiazepine bromazolam, which is frequently found mixed with other substances, including fentanyl.
“These latest enhancements reinforce MX908’s capability for rapid trace chemical identification at the point of need,” said Trey Sieger, senior director of product management at 908 Devices. “By delivering fast, reliable results, MX908 equips law enforcement officers, military personnel, and hazmat teams with actionable intelligence they can trust to make critical decisions when every second counts.”
Existing customers can access the new capabilities through a software update available via the company’s customer support portal.
The MX908 uses high-pressure mass spectrometry to identify trace levels of chemicals with high sensitivity and selectivity. The handheld device is designed to detect drugs, explosives, and other hazardous materials in solid, liquid, vapor, and aerosol forms, supporting rapid decision-making for first responders in a wide range of environments.
