2427 results about "Mass spectrometric" patented technology

A multiple function atmospheric pressure ion source interfaced to a mass spectrometer comprises multiple liquid inlet probes configured such that the sprays from two or more probes intersect in a mixing region. Gas phase sample ions or neutral species generated in the spray of one probe can react with reagent gas ions generated from one or more other probes by such ionization methods as Electrospray, photoionization, corona discharge and glow discharge ionization. Reagent ions may be optimally selected to promote such processes as Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of neutral sample molecules, or charge reduction or electron transfer dissociation of multiply charged sample ions. Selected neutral reagent species can also be introduced into the mixing region to promote charge reduction of multiply charged sample ions through ion-neutral reactions. Different operating modes can be performed alternately or simultaneously, and can be rapidly turned on and off under manual or software control.

The present invention relates generally to a multi-reflecting time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MR TOF MS). To improve mass resolving power of a planar MR TOF MS, a spatially isochronous and curved interface may be used for ion transfer in and out of the MR TOF analyzer. One embodiment comprises a planar grid-free MR TOF MS with periodic lenses in the field-free space, a linear ion trap for converting ion flow into pulses and a C-shaped isochronous interface made of electrostatic sectors. The interface allows transferring ions around the edges and fringing fields of the ion mirrors without introducing significant time spread. The interface may also provide energy filtering of ion packets. The non-correlated turn-around time of ion trap converter may be reduced by using a delayed ion extraction from the ion trap and excessive ion energy is filtered in the curved interface.

This invention provides methods, devices and device components for preparing ions from liquid samples containing chemical species and methods and devices for analyzing chemical species in liquid samples. The present invention provides an ion source for generating analyte ions having a selected charge state distribution, such as a reduced charged state distribution, that may be effectively interfaced with a variety of charged particle analyzers, including virtually any type of mass spectrometer.

The invention relates to methods and instruments for ionizing analyte molecules, preferably biomolecules, which are dissolved in liquids or firmly adsorbed on surfaces. Liquids are nebulized at atmospheric pressure by electrospraying. Highly charged microdroplets, which enter the vacuum of the mass spectrometer through the inlet capillary, strike an impact plate when energy is fed in. The repulsive Coulomb force of the charges, the absorption of additional thermal energy and/or the conversion of their kinetic energy into thermal energy cause the microdroplets to burst and evaporate. Analyte molecules which are located in the nebulized liquid or on the impact plate are released in charged form and can be fed to the mass spectrometer for analysis by the extraction and collection effect of an ion funnel operated with RF and DC voltages.

The present invention provides for a system, method, and device for analyzing, localizing and/or identifying tissue types. The method includes analyzing, localizing and/or identifying one or more tissue samples, characterized in that the method comprises: (a) generating gaseous tissue particles from a site in the one or more tissue samples, (b) transporting the gaseous tissue particles from the site to an analyser, (c) using the analyser for generating tissue-related data based on the gaseous tissue particles, and (d) analyzing, localizing and/or identifying the one or more tissue samples based on the tissue-related data. The invention can either be used in close conjunction with a surgical procedure, when one or more surgical tools are an integrated part of ionization, or as a separate mass spectrometric probe for the analysis of one or more tissue parts.

An imbalanced radio frequency (RF) field creates a retarding barrier near the exit aperture of a multipole ion guide, in combination with the extracting DC field such that the barrier provides an m/z dependent cut of ion sampling. Contrary to the prior art, the mass dependent sampling provides a well-conditioned ion beam suitable for other mass spectrometric devices. The mass selective sampling is suggested for improving duty cycle of o-TOF MS, for injecting ions into a multi-reflecting TOF MS in a zoom mode, for parallel MS-MS analysis in a trap-TOF MS, as well as for moderate mass filtering in fragmentation cells and ion reactors. With the aid of resonant excitation, the mass selective ion sampling is suggested for mass analysis.

Systems for analyzing multiple samples in parallel using mass spectrometric preferably coupled with fluid phase separation techniques are provided. A multi-analyzer mass spectrometer includes multiple inlets, multiple mass analyzers, and multiple transducers to conduct mass analyses of multiple samples in parallel. A modular mass analyzer may include a vacuum enclosure, a chassis, and multiple mass analysis modules disposed within the chassis. Modules are preferably disposed in a spatially compact two-dimensional array. A common multi-stage vacuum system may be utilized in conjunction with baffles or partitions disposed within and between modules to maintain differential vacuum conditions within the spectrometer utilizing a minimum number of pumps. Common control inputs may be provided to multiple modules or other components within a multi-analyzer spectrometer. Fluid phase separation devices for use with a multi-analyzer spectrometer may be microfluidic devices utilizing chromatographic, electrophoretic, or other separation methods.

Disclosed are a method of detecting a leak of fluoroolefin compositions and sensors used therefor. In particular, the method is particularly useful for detecting a leak of a fluoroolefin refrigerant composition from a cooling system of an automotive vehicle. Such fluoroolefin refrigerant compositions have double bond structures which make them particularly well suited with sensing technologies, including: infrared sensors, UV sensors, NIR sensors, ion mobility or plasma chromatographs, gas chromatography, refractometry, mass spectroscopy, high temperature thick film sensors, thin film field effect sensors, pellistor sensors, Taguchi sensors and quartz microbalance sensors.

Provided herein are mass spectrometric methods for detecting a mutation in a target nucleic acid. In an embodiment, provided is a method which comprises digesting a target nucleic acid molecule; capturing digested fragments on a solid support that comprises oligonucleotides complementary thereto; and detecting hybrids and the molecular weights of captured fragments by mass spectrometry, thereby identifying mutations in the target nucleic acid molecule.

The content of the invention comprises a concept of multi-beam ion pre-selection from a single sample, coordinated mobility (against the gas flow) separation, cooling ions in supersonic gas flow and mass separation of thus low divergent ions by single or plural compact high-resolution orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometers both linear or reflectron type with controlled collision-induced dissociation (CID) and multi-channel data recording for the optimization of sample use in the analysis, and obtaining as much useful information about the sample as possible in a reasonably short time.

In some embodiments, a method of optimizing operating parameters of an analytical instrument (e.g. lens voltages of a mass spectrometer) includes steps taken to minimize the method duration in the presence of substantial instrument noise and/or drift. Some methods include selecting a best point between a default instrument parameter set (vector) and a most-recent optimum parameter set; building a starting simplex at the selected best point location in parameter-space; and advancing the simplex to find an optimal parameter vector. The best simplex points are periodically re-measured, and the resulting readings are used to replace and/or average previous readings. The algorithm convergence speed may be adjusted by reducing simplex contractions gradually. The method may operate using all-integer parameter values, recognize parameter values that are out of an instrument range, and operate under the control of the instrument itself rather than an associated control computer.

Zwitterionic polymers bearing positive and negative charges are readily prepared from easily accessible precursors. The polymers show enhanced binding affinities for analytes under high salt conditions, compared to similar polymers bearing a charge of a single polarity. The polymers can also include an energy absorbing moiety for use in matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry. The polymer can also include a photo-curable group, which can be used to form cross-links within the bulk polymer or between the polymer and a surface functionalized with a polymerizable moiety. The polymers are incorporated into devices of use for the analysis, capture, separation, or purification of an analyte. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a substrate coated with a polymer of the invention, the substrate being adapted for use as a probe for a mass spectrometer.

An improved method and system of identifying individual aerosol particles in real time. Sample aerosol particles are collimated, tracked, and screened to determine which ones qualify for mass spectrometric analysis based on predetermined qualification or selection criteria. Screening techniques include one or more of determining particle size, shape, symmetry, and fluorescence. Only qualifying particles passing all screening criteria are subject to desorption/ionization and single particle mass spectrometry to produce corresponding test spectra, which is used to determine the identities of each of the qualifying aerosol particles by comparing the test spectra against predetermined spectra for known particle types. In this manner, activation cycling of a particle ablation laser of a single particle mass spectrometer is reduced.

The present invention provides a time of flight mass spectrometer having a spiral flight path, whose mass resolution can be appropriately changed with respect to the analysis object or other factor without any complicated alteration or addition of the mechanical construction. In a specific form of the invention, the mass spectrometer includes deflecting electrodes 20-23 located between semi-cylindrical electrodes 11 and 12 for making ions fly along a spiral path. The deflecting electrodes 20-23 generate deflecting electric fields for shifting the ions in the axial direction of the semi-cylindrical electrodes 11 and 12. The voltage applied to the deflecting electrodes 20-23 is changed according to the mass resolution required. The deflecting electric fields are generated or removed with the change of the voltage, which makes the ions fly either along a spiral path or in the same loop orbit. The flight distance of the ions can be controlled as desired by regulating the voltage so that the ions fly in the loop orbit an appropriate number of times. Thus, the mass resolution can be arbitrarily controlled.

Improved systems, apparatus, methods, and programming useful for the automated analysis of complex compounds using mass spectrometers. Systems, apparatus, methods, and programming according to the invention provide for the automatic determination by a controller 54 of a mass spectrometer 14, 214 of an analysis operation to be implemented using the mass spectrometer, the analysis operation adapted specifically for analysis of one or more substances based contained within a compound based on identification of the compound and/or substances provided by a user of the spectrometer, and a database 66 or other library of information concerning suitable processes or process steps for analyzing substances.

An apparatus and method for regenerating ion samples for a mass spectrometer are provided. Source samples are loaded on a support which is heated by a laser beam, desorbing the sample without ionization. The desorbed sample is carried by a carrier gas flow through a transfer tube, at the output of which it is ionized by corona discharge or photo-ionization. The obtained ionized sample may be analyzed in a mass spectrometer or used to serve any other appropriate purpose.

Time-of-flight mass spectrometer instruments are disclosed for monitoring fast processes with large dynamic range using a multi-threshold TDC data acquisition method or a threshold ADC data acquisition method. Embodiments using a combination of both methods are also disclosed.