Ion analysis

Abstract

In an ion analyser apparatus, a chamber is provided for receiving ions via an ion input port thereof and for outputting the received ions via an ion output port thereof. An ion optical assembly is configured to manipulate a flow of ions from the ion input port to the ion output port along an ion optical axis. A cartridge comprises the ion optical assembly. The chamber comprises a chassis into which the cartridge is removably mountable by insertion therein via an opening in the chamber to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port and the ion output port.

Description

[0001] Ion Analysis

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to ion analysers and methods of ion analysis, and particularly, although not exclusively, to Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS), or Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS), or Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS).

[0004] Background

[0005] Some mass spectrometry devices, such as those disclosed in patent document US8610054B2, employ several components and ion optical elements configured at the front end of an instrument. These components provide ion mobility filtering of ions for input to the mass spectrometer, e.g., to guide the ions appropriately for spectrometry, such as ion mobility spectrometry.

[0006] Ease of optics removal (e.g., cleaning)

[0007] Ion mobility systems, in particular those operating at the front end of an instrument as noted above, can become soiled by collision of sample ions and / or neutral particles upon ion optical elements of the device. Soiling of the device can reduce the analytical performance of the system (e.g., ion mass or mobility resolution, ion transmission), introduce chemical noise and cause electronic breakdown thereby damaging the instrument. Cleaning of the device is essential to mitigate against this.

[0008] To clean the electrodes of a mass spectrometer, or an Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS) device, the electrode assembly typically must be removed from the overall system, disassembled, and cleaned. This process is disruptive to a laboratory as it requires that the system be switched off and vented. It cannot be used during the cleaning phase.

[0009] In addition, removing the IMS device from the overall system may be complicated and is often a task requiring trained engineers. The typical end user of the device is usually not sufficiently trained to perform the cleaning operation and the need to hire a trained engineer introduces costs and waiting times. Once the IMS device has been cleaned and reassembled it must be reinserted into the overall system which may again require a trained engineer. The system can then be returned to a vacuum state and operated.

[0010] Maintaining accurate alignment

[0011] To achieve good analytical performance (e.g., in terms of ion transmission, and ion / or mass or mobility resolution) the electric fields generated by an ion optical system must be well defined. In some modes of operation (e.g., of a DMS system) the electric field must be homogenous in multiple directions. In order to maintain homogenous electric fields, one method is to ensure that the distance between the electrodes of the ion optical system is constant in the relevant directions, as appropriate to the system at hand.

[0012] Given, as described above, that the ion optical system may need to be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled (possibly by non-experts) it is important that the ion optical system fits back together in a 8267288

[0013] 2 reproducible manner. Otherwise, the electrodes may be misaligned, or a distance between the electrodes may no longer be constant in the relevant directions, altering the analytical outcome.

[0014] The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

[0015] Summary of the Invention

[0016] The invention aims to make servicing an ion optical assembly (e.g., an IMS cell, or other assembly) a task that end users can do themselves with little training. The invention aims to make the removal / insertion of the ion optical assembly quicker and easier to perform. The aims to ensure that the alignment of the important features (e.g., ion optical electrodes and electrical power supply connections) is accurate and reproducible upon reassembly after disassembly for cleaning purposes.

[0017] In a first aspect, the invention may provide an ion analyser apparatus comprising: a chamber for receiving ions via an ion input port thereof and for outputting the received ions via an ion output port thereof; an ion optical assembly configured to manipulate a flow of ions from the ion input port to the ion output port along an ion optical axis; a cartridge comprising the ion optical assembly; wherein the chamber comprises a chassis into which the cartridge is removably mountable by insertion therein via an opening in the chamber to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port and the ion output port.

[0018] The opening in the chamber may also comprise the ion input port of the chamber. For example, the chamber opening may serve not only to admit ions into the chamber but also to admit the cartridge into the chamber. In this way, ions travelling along the ion optical axis may be admitted into the ion optical assembly of the cartridge via the opening of the chamber after the cartridge (and the ion optical assembly within it) has been mounted in the chassis of the chamber via the ion input port.

[0019] The chassis may comprise the ion input port and the ion output port of the chamber. For example, structures of the chamber used for ion input / output openings may also be used as structures of the chassis for removeable mounting of the cartridge.

[0020] References herein to an “ion optical assembly” include a reference to an assembly configured to employ electric and / or magnetic fields to manipulate the movement of ions.

[0021] The chamber may be shaped in such a way as to define parts of the chassis into which the cartridge is removably mountable by insertion therein to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port and the ion output port. For example, the opening in the chamber may be shaped to receive and hold, retain or restrain at least a part of the cartridge in this way. The opening may be formed in a wall of the chamber such that a wall of the chamber (e.g., the periphery of the opening in that 8267288

[0022] 3 wall) serves this alignment function. The opening may be shaped to reciprocate at least a part of (or substantially all of) a shape of a periphery or circumference of the cartridge such that the former engages the latter when the cartridge is inserted into the chassis. The periphery or circumference may surround the ion optical axis (e.g., may be in a plane transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to that axis) when the cartridge is inserted into the chassis. The chamber may be shaped in such a way as to define a plurality of separate and separated such parts of the chassis into which the cartridge is removably mountable simultaneously and collectively by insertion therein to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment. The plurality of separate and separated such parts of the chassis may be located at positions separated along the ion optical axis when the cartridge is inserted into the chassis. For example, parts of the chamber defining or surrounding the ion output port may be shaped to receive and hold, retain or restrain at least a part of the cartridge in this way. The parts of the chamber defining or surrounding the ion output port may be formed in a wall of the chamber such that this wall of the chamber (e.g., the periphery of the opening in that wall) serves to help fulfil the aforementioned alignment function. The parts of the chamber defining or surrounding the ion output port may be shaped to reciprocate at least a part of (or substantially all of) a shape of a periphery or circumference of the cartridge such that the former engages the latter when the cartridge is inserted into the chassis. This periphery or circumference may surround the ion optical axis (e.g., may be in a plane transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to that axis) when the cartridge is inserted into the chassis. In this way, two separate and separated parts of the chamber (e.g., opposing walls) may be shaped (e.g., to have apertures) configured to receive and hold, retain or restrain at least two separate (and separated) such parts of the cartridge to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment.

[0023] Two separate and separated parts of the chamber when shaped to define the chassis, may each define a respective one of two opposing chamber walls within which a respective one of two opposing apertures is formed. The apertures may be each shaped to define to receive, engage and hold, retain or restrain a respective one of two separate (and separated) such parts of the cartridge to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment. In this way, each aperture may define a “socket” into which a reciprocating part of the cartridge may be “plugged” in a “plug-and-socket” type relation, such that the cartridge may be plugged into both sockets simultaneously to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment.

[0024] The cartridge preferably comprises one or more (e.g., separate and separated if more than one) male alignment formations each defining a respective spigot formation along an outer periphery or circumference of the cartridge. One or both of the two opposing apertures of the chamber may each comprise an aperture periphery shaped reciprocally with respect to one of the one or more spigot formations so as to define a respective female alignment formation configured to provide a socket for receiving the reciprocating spigot formation. In this way, the act of inserting the cartridge into the chassis may cause the one or more reciprocating spigot-and-socket formations to engage and assist in providing the aforementioned ion-optical alignment. 8267288

[0025] 4

[0026] References herein to a spigot-and-socket formation or joint include a reference to a male tubular component, the spigot, being configured to be inserted into the socket (e.g., an internal bore) of a female tubular component or fitting with a joint thereby being made between the two within the socket. Outer surface parts of the spigot may thereby be placed to fit in close opposition to (or contact with) internal surface parts (e.g., a bore) of the socket part. For example, spigot-and-socket joints may comprise a metal-to-metal contact between the two components within the socket, or may comprise a non-metal interface part (e.g., an elastomeric part) configured such that forces between the spigot and the socket are transmitted through the interface part within the socket when the joint is formed. A spigot-and-socket formation may be configured to enable a "push-joint" or "slip-joint", whereby the socket is configured to allow the spigot to be simply pushed into the socket. The socket may comprise an aperture, such as a through-opening.

[0027] In addition, or alternatively, the chassis may comprise a male (or female) alignment formation alignment formation, and the cartridge may comprise a female (or male) alignment formation reciprocating with the male (or female) alignment formation of the chassis as described above and or of other configurations, as described in more detail below. The alignment formation(s) of the cartridge are preferably positioned such that full insertion of the cartridge into the chassis is possible only by engaging the male (or female) alignment formation of the cartridge with the reciprocating female (or male) alignment formation of the chassis to position the ion optical assembly in said ion optical alignment.

[0028] The cartridge may comprise the male alignment formation. This male alignment formation may be configured to define a lug extending saliently from a peripheral edge of the cartridge. For example, the lug may extend radially from a peripheral edge of the cartridge. The chassis may comprise the female alignment formation. This female alignment formation may be configured to define a socket for receiving the lug. The socket may extend into the chassis at a peripheral edge defining the opening in the chamber, wherein a shape of the socket reciprocates with a shape of the lug to permit the lug to be received by the socket. The socket may be arranged so as to be accessible by the lug via insertion in a direction parallel to the ion optical axis. For example, the socket may comprise a channel extending radially from the peripheral edge defining the opening in the chamber.

[0029] Preferably, the lug is an abutment lug arranged to abut a surface of the socket only when the cartridge is fully inserted into the chassis. The socket may comprise a within it a terminal abutment surface (e.g., a floor of the aforesaid channel) against which the abutment lug engages when the cartridge is fully inserted into the chassis, thereby preventing further insertion of the cartridge into the chassis. The alignment formation(s) may comprise a plurality of lugs and a corresponding plurality of sockets, wherein an angular separation around the ion optical axis between successive lugs is asymmetrical and matches an angular separation around the ion optical axis between successive sockets to permit each lug to be received concurrently by a respective one of the plurality of sockets when the cartridge adopts a unique corresponding angular position relative to the chassis. 8267288

[0030] 5

[0031] Desirably, the chassis comprises a closure member moveable between a first position which exposes the opening to permit the removable insertion of the cartridge into the chassis, and a second position which closes the opening to obstruct removal of the cartridge when so inserted.

[0032] The closure member preferably comprises the male alignment formation configured to define a spigot formation, and the cartridge preferably comprises the female alignment formation configured to define a socket formation for receiving the spigot formation when the closure member is in the second position. A shape of the socket formation preferably reciprocates with a shape of the spigot formation to permit the spigot formation to be received by the socket formation to form a spigot-and-socket abutment joint only when said full insertion of the cartridge into the chassis is achieved.

[0033] The closure member may be moveable between the first position and the second position via rotational motion (e.g., pivoting) about an axis defined by a hinge pin of a respective one or more hinges of the chassis. Desirably, each hinge pin is resiliently moveable (e.g., from a quiescent position) within the respective hinge in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the axis thereof thereby to render the position of the closure member resiliently displaceable in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the ion optical axis.

[0034] Preferably, the ion input port is formed in the closure member and the spigot formation surrounds the ion input port, wherein the socket formation for receiving the spigot formation surrounds the ion optical axis of the ion optical assembly. The spigot formation and the socket formation may thereby, in combination, align and define at least a part of the ion optical axis passing through the cartridge and comprising the ion input port. The geometrical central axes (e.g., axes of rotational symmetry) of the spigot formation and the socket formation may, in combination, align to be coincident with the ion optical axis.

[0035] Desirably, the opening of the chamber is positioned such that the cartridge is removably insertable into the compartment in a direction along the ion optical axis. Alternatively, the opening of the chamber is positioned such that the cartridge is removably insertable into the compartment in a direction transverse to the ion optical axis.

[0036] The opening may define at least a part of the chassis and may include a bore defining a bore surface, and the cartridge may define an outer interface surface shaped to reciprocate the bore surface to form a sliding contact interface therewith when the cartridge is removably inserted into the chassis. A sealing ring (e.g., an O-ring) may be provided upon an outer periphery of the cartridge (e.g., to extent circumferentially) to define at least a part of the outer interface surface through which forces may be transmitted between the cartridge and the chassis (e.g., compressive forces allowing an air-tight seal at the bore surface and / or a slidable interface able to bear the weight of the cartridge). The sealing ring may be formed from an elastomeric material, such as a Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) elastomer for example, or a metal, or other suitable material as would be readily available to the skilled person. 8267288

[0037] 6

[0038] The cartridge may comprise a housing for receiving the ion optical assembly and comprising one or more mounting formations to which the ion optical assembly is removably mountable to house the ion optical assembly within the housing. The ion optical assembly may comprise one or more mounting formations configured for interfacing with reciprocating mounting formations of the housing part (e.g., by insertion therein or thereof) to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port and the ion output port when the cartridge is mounted within the chassis. The one or more mounting formations of the housing, in conjunction with a respective reciprocating mounting formation of the ion optical assembly, may comprise a spigot-and-socket formation. The one or more mounting formations of the housing may define a spigot formation and a respective reciprocating mounting formation of the ion optical assembly may define a corresponding socket, or vice versa. The housing may comprise two such mounting formations separably joined by an intermediate joining part within which the ion optical assembly resides, such that the housing defines a housing assembly around the ion optical assembly that may be disassembled to release (de-house) the ion optical assembly as desired. The joining part may define tubular through-openings in communication with each other at two opposite ends thereof wherein each through-opening defines the socket part of a spigot-and-socket joint with a reciprocating spigot formation provided at a respective one of the two mounting formations of the housing. This may define a reversible / releasable spigot-and-socket joint with the respective one of the two mounting formations of the housing.

[0039] The ion analyser apparatus may comprise a voltage supply unit. The ion optical assembly may comprise one or more electrodes configured to receive a respective voltage for generating an electric field to manipulate said flow of ions. The cartridge may comprise a first array of electrical contact members each of which is configured in electrical communication with a respective electrode, and the chamber may comprise a second array of electrical contact members each of which is configured in electrical communication with the voltage supply unit.

[0040] The second array is preferably arranged pivotingly upon the chassis so as to be pivotable between a first position which places electrical contact members of the second array in electrical communication with electrical contact members of the first array, and a second position which separates the electrical contact members of the second array from the electrical contact members of the first array.

[0041] The ion analyser apparatus may comprise a downstream chamber comprising apparatus for analysing ions that are output from the ion output port. For example, the chamber may define an upstream chamber and the ion analysis assembly may comprise a downstream chamber in ion optical communication with the upstream chamber and located downstream of the upstream chamber in a direction along the ion optical axis. The downstream chamber may comprise a mass spectrometer assembly or an ion mobility spectrometer assembly.

[0042] In the ion analyser apparatus, the cartridge may comprise an ion optical assembly comprising any one of: an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) assembly; a Differential Mobility Spectrometer (DMS) assembly; a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometer (FAIMS) assembly; an ion guide assembly, an ion trap assembly; a quadrupole mass analyser assembly; a multipole mass analyser assembly; an ion funnel 8267288

[0043] 7 assembly; a reaction chamber assembly; a collision-induced dissociation (CID) cell assembly; a time-of- flight (TOF) mass analyser.

[0044] Thus, transmission of ions through the chamber, via the cartridge, may be subject to ion manipulation by the ion optical assembly configured to implement any one of: Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS); Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS); Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS); ion guiding, ion trapping; quadrupole mass analysis; ion funnelling; a reaction chamber processes; collision-induced dissociation (CID).

[0045] The ion analyser apparatus may comprise a plurality of cartridges each one of which comprises an ion optical assembly configured to perform a respective one of any of the following: Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS); Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS); Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS); ion guiding, ion trapping; quadrupole mass analysis; ion funnelling; a reaction chamber processes; collision- induced dissociation (CID).

[0046] Thus, a user may select which ion manipulation to implement in the chamber by an appropriate selection of cartridge for the task at hand. When a different type of ion manipulation is required, an appropriate other cartridge may be selected that is configured to perform that type of ion manipulation. The incumbent cartridge may then be removed from the compartment of the chassis of the ion analyser apparatus, and the selected replacement cartridge may be inserted into the compartment of the chassis to permit the different type of ion manipulation to ensue.

[0047] The invention may thereby enable ion transmission through the ion analyser apparatus when the previous type of ion manipulation (e.g., IMS) is not required for a subsequent experiment. The advantage of the interchangeability of the cartridge enables this.

[0048] The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0049] Summary of the Figures

[0050] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0051] Figure 1 shows a casing for a cartridge of an ion analyser according to an example, in which an ion optical assembly load is absent.

[0052] Figure 2 shows an ion optical assembly load for loading into a cartridge of an ion analyser according to an example. 8267288

[0053] 8

[0054] Figure 3 shows a cartridge of an ion analyser according to an example, in which a casing of the cartridge contains an ion optical assembly load.

[0055] Figure 4 shows an ion analyser apparatus according to an example, in which a casing of the cartridge contains an ion optical assembly as a load, and the loaded cartridge is inserted into a compartment of the chassis of the ion analyser apparatus.

[0056] Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the ion analyser apparatus according to Figure 4, in which a closure member is moved to a first position which exposes an opening of the compartment of the chassis of the ion analyser apparatus for admitting the loaded cartridge into the compartment.

[0057] Figures 6 and 7 each show a view of the ion analyser apparatus according to Figure 4, in which a closure member is moved to a first position which exposes an opening of the compartment of the chassis of the ion analyser apparatus, wherein the loaded cartridge is partially inserted into the compartment.

[0058] Figure 8 shows a view of the ion analyser apparatus according to Figure 6 or Figure 7, in which an array of electrical contact members is shown arranged pivotingly upon the chassis at a position which separates the electrical contact members from electrical contact members upon the load within the cartridge.

[0059] Figures 9 and 10 each show a view of the ion analyser apparatus according to Figure 8 in which a gas inlet flow duct forms a part of the ion inlet of the chamber of the ion analyser. Figure 9 shows the cartridge partially inserted into the compartment of the chamber, whereas Figure 10 shows the cartridge fully inserted.

[0060] Figure 11 shows a schematic view of an ion analyser according to an example.

[0061] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0062] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0063] Figure 1 illustrates a cartridge unit for insertion into an ion analyser apparatus (discussed in more detail below). The cartridge comprises an ion entrance opening 2 at the front end thereof, and an ion exit opening 5 at the rear end thereof for permitting a flow of ions (e.g., when entrained in a flow of buffer 8267288

[0064] 9 gas). The cartridge includes a payload area 4 between the ion entrance and the ion exit. The ion exit is in ion optical communication with a downstream ion analysis assembly 6 configured for receiving ions from an ion optical assembly payload of the cartridge (not shown) that is to be housed within the payload area 4. The downstream ion analysis assembly 6 comprises ion optical elements such as a quadrupole electrode set which is housed in a downstream chamber of the ion analyser apparatus. The cartridge cylindrical in shape and presents an outer cylindrical surface shaped to reciprocate cylindrical bore formations of a chassis within the ion analyser apparatus when inserted into that chassis. The outer cylindrical surface of the cartridge bears a pair of O-ring seals ,12d and 12c, located help to centralise the cartridge when mounted within the chassis of the ion analysis apparatus as disclosed in more detail below.

[0065] Figure 2 shows a ’’payload” of the cartridge comprising an ion optical assembly 88. This “payload” of the cartridge is what the cartridge is configured to carry, or house, as shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4. In this embodiment the ion optical assembly is a vDMS cell (e.g., for Differential Mobility Spectrometry). In other examples, the ion optical assembly could be e.g. an ion guide, IMS cell (e.g., for Ion Mobility Spectrometry), mass analyser, ion funnel, other IMS device, ion trap, reaction chambers, CID cell (e.g., for providing collision-induced dissociation) and any other device for manipulating the ion beam or ions.

[0066] The payload includes an ion input slit 100 is formed in a mounting disc 9 and is positioned at one end of the ion optical assembly 88 in ion optical communication with an electrode unit 120 of the assembly containing various ion optical electrode elements (see items 23, Fig.5), sensors, heaters etc., (not shown). A corresponding ion output slit (not shown) of the same structure and form as the ion input slit, is positioned at an opposite end of the ion optical assembly 88 in ion optical communication with an electrode unit 120. An array of input / output connection points 8 is provided in the ion optical assembly for receiving power, control signals and monitoring signals for the items within the electrode unit 120. For this purpose, a printed circuit board (PCB) 7 is provided as an outer surface part of the ion optical assembly for bearing these input / output connection points such that they are directly accessible for direct contact at the surface of the PCB from outside of the ion optical assembly.

[0067] Two mounting discs, 9, 11 , each one of which contains either the ion input slit or the ion output slit, are attached to the opposite respective ends (i.e., one at each end) of the electrode unit and are in ion optical alignment with the electrode unit 120. Each of these mounting discs is configured to engage with the cartridge payload area 4 to mount the ion optical assembly securely within the cartridge, in use.

[0068] Figure 3 illustrates the cartridge of Figure 1 combined with the ion optical assembly payload of Figure 2 mounted within the cartridge payload area. A handle 90 is attached to the front end of the cartridge adjacent to the ion entrance for allowing ease of handling of the cartridge, when inserting or extracting the cartridge from an ion analysis apparatus, as discussed below.

[0069] The pay load area 4 of the cartridge thereby provides a housing for receiving the ion optical assembly 88. The payload area comprises two opposing mounting formations 110 (see Fig.4 also) to which the mounting discs, 9, 11 , of the ion optical assembly are removably mountable to house the ion optical assembly within the housing in the cartridge. The mounting discs comprise formations configured for 8267288

[0070] 10 interfacing with reciprocating mounting formations of the housing part of the cartridge (e.g., by insertion therein or thereof) to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input ports and the ion output ports of the ion analyser apparatus as a whole, when the cartridge is mounted within the chassis of that apparatus, as discussed in more detail below..

[0071] The mounting formations 110 of the housing in the cartridge, in conjunction with a respective reciprocating mounting formation of the mounting discs, together form a spigot-and-socket formation. The mounting formations of the housing of the cartridge define a socket formation and a respective reciprocating mounting formation of the mounting discs defines a corresponding spigot.

[0072] The housing provided by the cartridge comprises two such mounting formations 110, one for each of the two mounting discs 9, 11 , separably joined by an intermediate joining part 300 defining the payload area 4 within which the ion optical assembly resides. The two mounting formations 110 the cartridge together with the intermediate joining part 300 for an assembly around the ion optical assembly that may be disassembled to release (de-house) the ion optical assembly as desired. The intermediate joining part defines tubular through-openings in communication with each other at two opposite ends thereof. Each through-opening defines the socket part of a spigot-and-socket joint with a reciprocating spigot formation provided at a respective one of the two mounting formations 110 of the housing. This defines a reversible / releasable spigot-and-socket joint with the respective one of the two mounting formations 110 of the housing defined in the cartridge.

[0073] Figures 4 and 5 show the cartridge as inserted into an ion analyser apparatus comprising a mass spectrometer in ion optical communication with the exit end of the cartridge (see Figure 12). A gas inlet flow duct 20 is included to provide a transition (expansion) of the diameter of gas flow entering the cartridge. The cartridge thereby provides the means for mounting and positioning the ion optical assembly of the ion analyser apparatus. Gas flow and ion currents are directed through the cartridge. Desired electrical power and / or control signal connections are made by means of an overhead PCB 7 and sprung pin contact connections 24 although other electrical contact methods could be used. It can also be seen that the cartridge and associated O-rings, 12d and 12c, form a gas seal around the front and rear of the chamber to facilitate control of pressure in the various regions of the device.

[0074] The ion analyser apparatus 10 comprises a chamber part 12 defining a chamber 12b with an opening defining an ion input port 12a at one end of a chamber, and an opening defining an ion output port 12e at the opposite end of the chamber. The chamber openings serve not only to admit ions into the chamber 12b but also to admit the cartridge 1 into the chamber. Ions travelling along the ion optical axis 101 may be admitted into the ion optical assembly 120 of the cartridge via the opening of the chamber after the cartridge (and the ion optical assembly within it) has been mounted in the chassis of the chamber via the ion input port.

[0075] The chassis forms the ion input port 12a and the ion output port 12e of the chamber part 12, such that the structures of the chamber part 12 used for ion input / output openings are also used as structures of the 8267288

[0076] 11 chassis for removeable mounting of the cartridge 1 . In other words, the chamber part 12 is shaped in such a way as to define parts of the chassis into which the cartridge is removably mountable by insertion therein to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port and the ion output port.

[0077] In the present example, the openings 12a and 12e at opposite ends of the chamber part 12 are each shaped to receive and hold, retain and restrain one respective end of the cartridge. The openings are formed in a wall of the chamber such that the periphery of the opening in that wall serves this function. The openings are shaped to reciprocate a shape of a circumference of the cartridge such that the former engages the latter when the cartridge is inserted into the chassis. The two opposing openings of the chassis are located at positions separated along the ion optical axis 101 when the cartridge 1 is inserted into the chassis. Thus, parts of the chamber defining or surrounding the ion input port 12a, and the ion output port 12e, are each shaped to receive and hold, retain and restrain a respective one end part of the cartridge 1 in this way. The parts of the chamber defining or surrounding the ion input / output ports are formed in a wall of the chamber. In this way, two separate and separated parts of the chamber (e.g., opposing walls) are shaped (e.g., to have apertures) configured to receive and hold, retain and restrain two separate (and separated) such parts of the cartridge to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment.

[0078] The apertures, 12a, 12e, forming the ion input port 12a and the ion output port 12e of the chamber part 12 are each shaped to define to receive and engage, hold, retain and restrain a respective one of the two separate (and separated) such parts of the cartridge to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment. In this way, each aperture defines a “socket” into which a reciprocating part of the cartridge may be “plugged” in a “plug-and-socket” type relation, such that the cartridge may be plugged into both sockets simultaneously to position the ion optical assembly in the aforesaid ion optical alignment.

[0079] Figure 5 shows a cross section of a cartridge 1 configured manipulate ions to implement vDMS. The cartridge is inserted into the chamber via the opening 12a of the chamber accessible by opening a door 18 (door is shown closed in figure 4, and open in Figures 5 and 6) of the ion analyser apparatus.

[0080] Figures 6, 7 and 8 show the insertion / removal of the cartridge from the ion analyser apparatus. The cartridge and any attached downstream elements can be removed via the front of the chamber using the attached handle. Figure 8 shows a view with the chamber lid opened to move the electronic contacts out of the way during cartridge insertion / removal to avoid damage.

[0081] Figure 9 shows a view with the chamber lid opened and shows male and female alignment formations upon the chassis and the cartridge. Accurate alignment is essential for both analytical performance and electronic contacts.

[0082] Referring to Figures 4, Figure 5, and Figure 10, there is shown an ion analyser apparatus 10 in a variety of views. The apparatus comprises the chamber part 12 described above, providing a chamber 12b in the form of a housing containing the chamber 12b for receiving ions via an ion input port 12a thereof. The 8267288

[0083] 12 apparatus includes a downstream housing 14a defining a downstream chamber 14b for receiving ions from the upstream chamber 12b via an ion input port 14c of the downstream chamber. An ion optical assembly 88 comprising electrodes 23 is contained within the apparatus and is configured to manipulate a flow of ions from the ion input port 12a of a upstream chamber to the ion input port 14c of a downstream chamber along an ion optical axis 101 .

[0084] The apparatus defines a chassis within the chamber part / housing 12 containing the upstream chamber 12b. The downstream chamber housing 14a defines the downstream chamber 14b. The cartridge 1 of the apparatus comprises the ion optical assembly 88, such as an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) assembly (e.g., a field asymmetric IMS: “FAIMS” assembly). The chassis defines a compartment structure that is collectively provided by the chamber 12b and the apertures forming the ion input port 12a and the ion output port 12e of the chamber part 12. The cartridge is removably insertable into the chassis, and into the chamber 12b, via the ion input port 12a forming an opening in the chamber, to position the ion optical assembly in engagement with the chassis at the apertures forming the ion input port 12a and the ion output port 12e of the chamber part thereby to be held in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port 12a of the chamber and the ion input port 14c of the downstream chamber.

[0085] As shown in more detail in Figure 10, the chassis formed by the chamber part / housing 12 defines three separate first female alignment formations 34, each defined by a recess forming a socket extending into a peripheral edge 32 defining the opening 12a in the chamber 12b. The cartridge 1 comprises three male alignment formations 36 each reciprocating with the a respective one of the three female alignment formations 34 of the chassis. The alignment formations 36 of the cartridge 1 are positioned such that full insertion of the cartridge into the compartment within the chamber 12b is possible only by engaging the male alignment formations 36 of the cartridge with the reciprocating female alignment formations 34 of the chassis to position the ion optical assembly in the required ion optical alignment.

[0086] The male alignment formations of the cartridge each comprises a lug extending saliently from a peripheral edge of the cartridge 1 . The female alignment formations of the chassis formed by the chamber part / housing 12 are each defined as a recess forming a socket extending into the peripheral edge 32 of the opening 12a in the chamber 12b. The shape of each such socket 34 reciprocates with a shape of an aforementioned lug 36 to permit the lug to be received by the socket. Each lug presents to a reciprocating socket an abutment surface arranged (not shown) so as to abut an opposing abutment surface (not shown) of the reciprocating socket only when the cartridge is fully inserted into the chamber. In the present example, each abutment surface extends in a plane generally perpendicular to the ion optical axis of the cartridge. The two abutment surfaces are held in abutting engagement by fixing bolts, or other suitable fixing means.

[0087] The chassis comprises a door 18 defining a closure member moveable to a first position (as shown in Figure 5 and Figure 10) which exposes the chassis part defined by the opening forming the ion input port 12a and reveals the compartment provided within the chassis, to permit the removable insertion of the cartridge 1 into the compartment and into the chamber 12b. The door 18 is moveable to a second position 8267288

[0088] 13

[0089] (as shown in Figure 4) which closes the chassis part defined by the opening 12a to obstruct removal of the cartridge 1 when it is fully inserted into the compartment 12b.

[0090] The door 18 comprises the male alignment formation 30 configured to define a spigot formation, and the cartridge comprises the female alignment formation 28 configured to define a socket for receiving the spigot formation when the door is in the second position. The shape of the socket reciprocates with the shape of the spigot formation in such a way as to permit the spigot formation to be fully received by the socket to form a spigot-and-socket joint when the ion optical assembly is in the ion optical alignment. The door 18 is moveable between the open position and the closed position via rotational motion about an axis defined by a respective hinge pin (not shown) of two hinges (21a, 21 b) of the chassis. Each hinge pin is resiliently and compliantly moveable within its respective hinge knuckle in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin in question. This renders the position of the door resiliently and compliantly displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the ion optical axis and, therefore, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the cartridge. Thus, the spigot-and-socket arrangement urges the door 18 into axial alignment with the mounted cartridge 16 as the spigot is inserted into the reciprocating socket as the door is closed. With the cartridge fixed into a nominal position, the resilient compliance of the door hinges (21a, 21 b) allows the door to move laterally into the correct alignment position. This resilient compliance of lateral movement of the door is enabled by providing a resiliently compliant mounting interface between a bore surface of the barrel 21 b of a given hinge knuckle 21a (also known as a ‘node’ or ‘loop’), and the hinge pin inserted within that bore.

[0091] The resiliently compliant mounting interface may comprise one or more washers, or bushings, of resiliently compliant material (e.g., fibre washers, not shown) placed within the bore of the barrel 21 b of a given hinge knuckle in such a way that the hinge pin passes though the through-holes within each of the one or more washers or bushings thereby to position the washers or bushings directly between the given hinge pin and the bore within which it resides - as an interface between them. Resilient and compliant deformation of the washers or bushings, in reaction to a lateral pressure or force exerted upon them by the hinge pin they surround, permits a resilient and compliant displacement of the hinge pin, and the door attached to it, in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hinge pin and perpendicular to the ion optical axis.

[0092] This lateral displaceability of the door has the benefit of enabling a good alignment between the central ion optical axis of the cartridge and the longitudinal axis of the gas inlet flow duct 20 formed in the door, and through which ions may enter the chamber, and the cartridge loaded within it, and the ion optics assembly within the cartridge. When the door of the chamber is closed, the male spigot of the door engages with the female socket of the cartridge to provide the axial alignment of the longitudinal axis of the gas inlet flow duct 20 with the ion optical axis of the cartridge as described above. The gas inlet flow duct 20 defines an ion input port formed in the door including an outlet nozzle, or a gas-shaping duct, etc. in ion flow communication with the electrodes 23 of the ion optical assembly 88 mounted upon the chassis structure within the chamber and is, in the present example, positioned with its longitudinal axis passing through the door at the centre of the door. 8267288

[0093] 14

[0094] In other words, the gas inlet flow duct 20 in the door 18 of the chassis is placed in alignment with the ion optical axis when the door is fully closed. Thus, because the spigot formation surrounds the ion input port 12a in a fixed relative position, the position of the spigot formation is also aligned to the ion optical axis when the door is fully closed. Consequently, the socket defined by the cartridge 1 may fully receive the spigot formation when it too is in ion optical alignment with the ion optical axis, because the spigot is moveable laterally to allow alignment in order that the door 18 may fully close.

[0095] In this example, the opening of the chamber, 12a, is positioned such that the cartridge is removably insertable into the compartment in a longitudinal direction along the ion optical axis. Other arrangements are possible such as an opening to one side of the ion optical axis permitting the cartridge to be removably inserted laterally in a direction transverse (e.g., perpendicular) to the ion optical axis.

[0096] The opening 12a adjacent to the door 18, which forms a part of the chassis structure along with the aperture forming the ion output port 12e of the chamber part 12 for receiving the cartridge, includes a circular cylindrical bore extending into the chassis in a direction coaxial with the ion optical axis from the peripheral edge 32 containing the female alignment formations discussed herein. The bore defines a bore surface, and the cartridge possesses an outer interface surface presenting a circular cylindrical shape to reciprocate the bore surface shaping bearing O-ring seals 12d and 12c so as to form a sliding contact interface therewith when the cartridge is removably inserted into the compartment provided by the chassis structure. In this manner the cartridge may be inserted into the chassis by an axial sliding action along the bore, so as to be snuggly fitted into the bore when fully inserted. The circular cylindrical bore shape and interface surface shape (e.g., the O-rings upon it) permit adjustment, via the sliding contact interface, in a rotational direction around the ion optical axis to optimise that angular orientation of the cartridge relative to the chassis. A first alignment notch 38 is formed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the cartridge upon the surface of the cartridge that surrounds the ion entrance opening 2, at the front end thereof, so as to be visible to the user when in the act of inserting the cartridge into the chassis. A complementary second alignment notch 40 is formed adjacent to the peripheral edge of the ion inlet opening of the cartridge upon the surface of the cartridge that surrounds the ion input port 12a thereof so that it too is visible to the user who may rotate the cartridge about the ion optical axis as necessary to mutually align the first and second alignment notches. The relative position of the first alignment notch upon the cartridge, relative to the positions of the abutment lugs 36 of the cartridge, is the same as the relative position of the second alignment notch 40 relative to the reciprocal sockets 34, for receiving the lugs, that extend into the chassis at a peripheral edge defining the opening 12a in the chamber part / housing 12. As a result, when the first and second alignment notches are positioned in alignment with each other (i.e., along a notional line intersecting the ion optical axis), such that one forms a visible continuation of the other as shown in Figure 10, then so too are the abutments lugs aligned with their reciprocal sockets.

[0097] A series of three angular separations, 01 , 02, 03, around the ion optical axis exists between successive lugs 36 is asymmetrical in the sense that 01 02 03. This angular asymmetry is matched, or 8267288

[0098] 15 reciprocated, by the angular separation around the ion optical axis between successive sockets 34 so as to permit each lug to be received concurrently by a respective one of the plurality of sockets only when the cartridge adopts a unique corresponding angular position relative to the chassis. That unique position is achieved only when the first alignment notch 38 is aligned with the second alignment notch 40. As a result of this constraint, it is possible to ensure that the cartridge is fully receivable within the chassis when the ion optical assembly 88 (Figure 2) has adopted a predefined orientation relative to the chassis of the apparatus 10 as a whole. That predefined orientation is enforced by the asymmetrical geometry 01 + 02 + 03.

[0099] Each socket 34 defines a channel extending radially from the peripheral edge defining the opening in the chamber and is shaped to reciprocate the shape of a corresponding lug to permit the lug to be received by the socket via insertion in a direction parallel to the ion optical axis. Figure 10 shows the resulting inserted position of the cartridge within the chassis. Each lug 36 is an abutment lug arranged to abut a surface of a reciprocating socket 34 only when the cartridge is fully inserted into the chassis. Each socket 34 forms channel or groove defining a channel / groove floor serving as a terminal abutment surface against which the abutment lug engages when the cartridge is fully inserted into the chassis. This prevents further insertion of the cartridge into the chassis. The cartridge is thereby fully engaged with the apertures forming the ion input port 12a and the ion output port 12e collectively defining the chassis provided by the chamber part / housing 12, and the ion optical assembly 88 within it is correctly oriented within the compartment of the chamber part / housing.

[0100] In this way, by acting in synergy, the salient lugs, the terminal abutment surfaces of the channels / sockets, and the angular asymmetry of those abutment surfaces, allow an efficient and accurate way to enable a user to mount an ion optical assembly into the chamber using the cartridge such that the predefined orientation of the ion optical assembly is assured.

[0101] The ion analyser apparatus 10 comprise a voltage supply unit (see Figures 4, 5 and 8) and the ion optical assembly 88 comprises one or more electrodes 23 configured to receive a respective voltage for generating an electric field to manipulate the flow of ions passing through it, in use. The cartridge 1 comprises a first array 8 of electrical contact members each of which is configured in electrical communication with a respective electrode 23 of the ion optical assembly 88. The ion analyser apparatus 10 includes a second array of electrical contact members 24 each of which is configured in electrical communication with the voltage supply unit. The second array 24 is arranged pivotingly (see Figures 8 and 9) upon the chassis 12a so as to be pivotable to a first position which places electrical contact members 24 of the second array in electrical communication with electrical contact members 7 of the first array, as shown in Figure 4.

[0102] The second array 24 is pivotable (see Figures 8 and 9) to a second position which separates the electrical contact members 24 of the second array from the electrical contact members 7 of the first array. In this way, the electrical contact members necessary to deliver power from the power supply unit to the ion optical assembly within the cartridge, may be disconnected from the ion optical assembly as 8267288

[0103] 16 necessary to remove the cartridge from the chassis e.g., to permit the ion optical assembly to be cleaned or replaced, and once the cartridge is returned to the chassis, the electrical contact members may be reconnected to the ion optical assembly (either the same ion optical assembly, or a different ion optical assembly) within the cartridge by a simple pivoting action. Operation of the ion optical assembly within the cartridge may then resume, and of whatever processes are implemented within the downstream chamber upon ions delivered to it from the chamber. In the ion analyser apparatus, the downstream chamber may comprise a mass spectrometer assembly.

[0104] The cartridge may comprise an ion optical assembly comprising any one of: an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) assembly; a Differential Mobility Spectrometer (DMS) assembly; a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometer (FAIMS) assembly; an ion guide assembly, an ion trap assembly; a quadrupole mass analyser assembly; an ion funnel assembly; a reaction chamber assembly; a collision-induced dissociation (CID) cell assembly. Thus, transmission of ions through the chamber, via the cartridge, may be subject to ion manipulation by the ion optical assembly configured to implement any one of: Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS); Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS); Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS); ion guiding, ion trapping; quadrupole mass analysis; ion funnelling; a reaction chamber processes; collision-induced dissociation (CID).

[0105] The ion analyser apparatus may include a plurality of cartridges each one of which comprises an ion optical assembly configured to perform a respective one of any of the following: Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS); Differential Mobility Spectrometry (DMS); Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS); ion guiding, ion trapping; quadrupole mass analysis; ion funnelling; a reaction chamber processes; collision- induced dissociation (CID). As a result, the user may select any appropriate cartridge to perform a desired ion manipulation operation, as desired. Thus, a user may select which ion manipulation to implement in the chamber by an appropriate selection of cartridge for the task at hand. When a different type of ion manipulation is required, an appropriate other cartridge may be selected that is configured to perform that type of ion manipulation. The incumbent cartridge may then be removed from the compartment of the chassis of the ion analyser apparatus, and the selected replacement cartridge may be inserted into the compartment of the chassis to permit the different type of ion manipulation to ensue. The apparatus may thereby enable ion transmission through the ion analyser apparatus when the previous type of ion manipulation (e.g., IMS) is not required for a subsequent experiment. The advantage of the interchangeability of the cartridge enables this.

[0106] Figure 11 shows a schematic view of an ion analyser according to an example of the invention. The ion analyser comprises the chamber part / housing 12 defining the chassis within which the cartridge is mounted to place the electrodes 23 of the ion optical assembly 88 within the chamber 12b in the desired ion optical alignment with a downstream ion analysis assembly comprising a mass spectrometer. The downstream ion analysis assembly is housed within the downstream housing 14a defining a downstream chamber 14b for receiving ions from the upstream chamber 12b via the ion input port 14c of the downstream chamber. An ion source 40 provides a supply of ions entrained within a flow of buffer gas for input to the upstream chamber 12b via the inlet flow gas duct 20. The flow of buffer gas and entrained 8267288

[0107] 17 ions 44, 52 passes between the electrodes 23 of the ion optical assembly 88 within the upstream chamber 12b an onwards though the ion input port 14c into the downstream chamber 14b for analysis.

[0108] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0109] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0110] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0111] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0112] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0113] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / - 10%.

[0114] References

[0115] A number of publications are cited above in order to more fully describe and disclose the invention and the state of the art to which the invention pertains. Full citations for these references are provided below. The entirety of each of these references is incorporated herein.

[0116] US8610054B2

Claims

826728818Claims:1 . An ion analyser apparatus comprising: a chamber for receiving ions via an ion input port thereof and for outputting the received ions via an ion output port thereof; an ion optical assembly configured to manipulate a flow of ions from the ion input port to the ion output port along an ion optical axis: a cartridge comprising the ion optical assembly; wherein the chamber comprises a chassis into which the cartridge is removably mountable by insertion therein via an opening in the chamber to position the ion optical assembly in ion optical alignment with both the ion input port and the ion output port.

2. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim in which: the chassis comprises a male alignment formation, or / and a female alignment formation; and the cartridge comprises a female alignment formation reciprocating with the male alignment formation of the chassis, or / and the cartridge comprises a male alignment formation reciprocating with the female alignment formation of the chassis, respectively; wherein the alignment formation(s) of the cartridge are positioned such that full insertion of the cartridge into the chassis is possible only by engaging the male or female alignment formation of the cartridge with the respective reciprocating female or male alignment formation of the chassis to position the ion optical assembly in said ion optical alignment.

3. An ion analyser apparatus according to claim 2 in which said male alignment formation comprises at least one lug extending saliently from a peripheral edge of the cartridge, and said female alignment formation comprises at least one socket extending into a peripheral edge defining said opening, wherein a shape of the at least one socket reciprocates with a shape of the at least one lug to permit the lug to be received by the socket.

4. An ion analyser apparatus according to claim 3 comprising a plurality of said lugs and a corresponding plurality of said sockets, wherein an angular separation around the ion optical axis between successive said lugs is asymmetrical and matches an angular separation around the ion optical axis between successive said sockets to permit each said lug to be received concurrently by a826728819 respective one of said plurality of sockets when the cartridge adopts a unique corresponding angular position relative to the chassis.

5. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim when dependent upon claim 2 in which the chassis comprises a closure member moveable between a first position which exposes said opening to permit said removable insertion of the cartridge into said chassis, and a second position which closes the opening to obstruct removal of the cartridge when so inserted; wherein the closure member comprises said male alignment formation defining a spigot formation; and the cartridge comprises said female alignment formation defining a socket formation for receiving the spigot formation when the closure member is in the second position wherein a shape of the socket reciprocates with a shape of the spigot formation to permit the spigot formation to be fully received by the socket formation to form a spigot-and-socket abutment joint only when said full insertion of the cartridge into the chassis is achieved.

6. An ion analyser according to claim 5 in which the closure member is moveable between the first position and the second position via rotational motion about an axis defined by a hinge pin of a respective one or more hinges of the chassis, wherein each hinge pin is resiliently moveable within the respective hinge in a direction perpendicular to the axis thereof thereby to render the position of the closure member resiliently displaceable in a direction perpendicular to the ion optical axis.

7. An ion analyser apparatus according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which the ion input port is formed in the closure member and the spigot formation surrounds the ion input port, wherein the socket formation for receiving the spigot formation surrounds the ion optical axis of the ion optical assembly.

8. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the opening is positioned such that the cartridge is removably insertable into the chassis in a direction along the ion optical axis or in a direction transverse to the ion optical axis.

9. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the opening includes a bore defining a bore surface, and the cartridge defines an outer interface surface shaped to reciprocate the bore surface to form a sliding contact interface therewith when the cartridge is removably inserted into the chassis.

10. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a voltage supply unit, wherein the ion optical assembly comprises one or more electrodes configured to receive a respective voltage for generating an electric field to manipulate said flow of ions:826728820 wherein the cartridge comprises a first array of electrical contact members each of which is configured in electrical communication with a respective said electrode, and the chamber comprises a second array of electrical contact members each of which is configured in electrical communication with the voltage supply unit; and wherein the second array is arranged pivotingly upon the chamber so as to be pivotable between a first position which places electrical contact members of the second array in electrical communication with electrical contact members of the first array, and a second position which separates the electrical contact members of the second array from the electrical contact members of the first array.

11. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the chamber defines an upstream chamber and the ion analyser apparatus comprises a downstream chamber in ion optical communication with the upstream chamber and located downstream of the upstream chamber in a direction along the ion optical axis, wherein the downstream chamber comprises a mass spectrometer assembly or an ion mobility spectrometer assembly.

12. An ion analyser apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the cartridge comprises an ion optical assembly comprising any one of: an Ion Mobility Spectrometer (IMS) assembly; a Differential Mobility Spectrometer (DMS) assembly; a Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometer (FAIMS) assembly; an ion guide assembly, an ion trap assembly; a quadrupole mass analyser assembly; a multipole mass analyser assembly; an ion funnel assembly; a reaction chamber assembly; a collision- induced dissociation (CID) cell assembly; a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyser.

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