Abstract: A method of screening or testing a sample is disclosed that comprises ionising a native human hemoglobin sample to generate parent or precursor ions, subjecting the parent or precursor ions to Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation so as to generate a plurality of fragment ions, mass analysing the fragment ions and determining whether or not the fragment ions include fragment ions which are indicative of a variant of hemoglobin.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein highly charged fragment ions resulting from Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation of parent ions are reduced in charge state within a Proton Transfer Reaction cell by reacting the fragment ions with a neutral superbase reagent gas such as Octahydropyrimidolazepine.

Abstract: An ambient or atmospheric pressure ion source is disclosed that comprises a laser source (1) that generates ions and/or neutral particles from a target (2). A transfer device (10) causes the ions and/or neutral particles to pass along a first path or axis within the transfer device (10), while a secondary activation device (6) directs laser radiation or photons along, across or over at least a portion of the first path or axis to cause secondary activation of the ions and/or neutral particles.

Abstract: A method of mass or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed that uses the Leidenfrost effect to cause a liquid to be repelled away from a heated surface so as to levitate above there-above. The repelled liquid is urged so as to move along the surface in a predetermined direction, for example, by the geometric configuration of the heated surface.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for transmitting ions through an aperture are described. In one embodiment, a mass spectrometer may include an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected while they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focused to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, while naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small while still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ion analysis instrument comprising a Time of Flight (“TOF”) mass analyser comprising a reflectron. The instrument is operable in at least a first mode and a second mode, wherein in said first mode ions are caused to turn around at a first point in the reflectron and wherein in said second mode ions are caused to turn around at a second point in the reflectron such that the distance traveled by ions within the Time of Flight mass analyser is greater in the second mode than the distance traveled by ions within the Time of Flight mass analyser in the first mode. In this way, the operating modes can be selectively optimised for the analysis of ions of different masses.

Abstract: A method of mass or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises providing a spectrometer comprising an orifice between an atmospheric and a sub-atmospheric pressure region of the spectrometer, wherein the latter comprises an ion guide or ion trap; providing a sample probe comprising a needle assembly on which a sample is deposited or that is supplied with a sample; inserting the needle assembly through the orifice into the sub-atmospheric pressure region so that the sample is arranged within or adjacent to the ion guide or trap in the sub-atmospheric pressure region; and then desorbing the sample from the needle assembly within the sub-atmospheric pressure region and/or ionizing the sample within the sub-atmospheric pressure region so as to generate ions that enter the ion guide or ion trap. The proximity of the sample to the ion guide or trap allows analyte ions from the sample to be captured efficiently.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that includes transforming mass spectral data to produce frequency-domain mass spectral data, modifying the frequency-domain mass spectral data to produce modified frequency-domain mass spectral data by attenuating and/or removing one or more ranges of the frequency-domain mass spectral data that relate to noise associated with peaks of interest in the mass spectral data, and transforming the modified frequency-domain mass spectral data to produce modified mass spectral data.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing gas phase analyte in a vacuum housing; electrospraying a reagent solution outside of the vacuum housing so as to form charged droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions; conveying the charged droplets and/or reagent ions into the vacuum housing and reacting them with the analyte so as to form analyte ions; and analyzing the analyte ions with a mass analyzer and/or ion mobility analyzer. Reacting the droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions with the analyte in sub-atmospheric pressures improved the reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising mass analyzing ions and obtaining mass spectral data and determining parent or precursor ions of interest. The method further comprises determining first adduct or chemical artifact ions which have mass to charge ratios which have a substantially linear relationship with the mass to charge ratio of the parent or precursor ions of interest and removing or attenuating the first adduct or chemical artifact ions from the mass spectral data.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes: an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected whilst they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, whilst naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small whilst still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (“MALDI”) ion source is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to supply a flow of liquid on to the surface of a target or a sample to be analyzed so that the liquid forms a liquid junction on the surface of the target or the sample to be analyzed and wherein analyte molecules to be ionized are extracted into the liquid junction, and a laser source emits a laser beam which causes analyte ions or an analyte plume to be released or desorbed from the liquid junction.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising mass analyzing first ions derived from an analyte molecule, wherein the first ions have a first charge state; determining a first mass or mass to charge ratio of the first ions; mass analyzing second ions derived from the analyte molecule, wherein the second ions have a second different charge state and wherein the second ions comprise protonated or adduct variants of the first ions; determining a second mass or mass to charge ratio of the second ions; a determining a calibration correction based upon the first mass or mass to charge ratio and the second mass or mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A method of charge stripping analyte ions is disclosed. The method comprises reacting the analyte ions with reagent ions or charged particles; and then urging the reacted analyte ions through a neutral, inert gas such that said analyte ions interact or collide with the gas molecules in a manner that reduces the charge state of the reacted analyte ions, thereby forming product ions of reduced charge state. The combination of reacting the analyte ions and then urging the reacted ions through the gas results in a charge reduction that is greater than that which would be caused by either of the individual steps of reacting the ions or urging the ions through the gas.

Abstract: There is provided a method of introducing ions into a mass spectrometer, comprising ionising a sample using a Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation (“MALDI”) ion source to form a plurality of ions, transporting said plurality of ions in a first, primary gas through a passageway and into an inlet of a mass spectrometer, introducing a second, auxiliary gas into said inlet, and controlling a flow rate of said second gas into said inlet so as to control a flow rate of said first gas through said passageway.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed wherein a sample is ionized by an electrified sprayer so as to produce multiply charged analyte ions of a first polarity in gas-phase. A reaction region is provided downstream of the electrified sprayer, wherein the reaction region is maintained substantially at atmospheric pressure and is maintained substantially free of electric-fields. A gas flow is provided from said electrified sprayer to said reaction region such that the gas flow carries the analyte ions from the electrified sprayer into the reaction region. Free electrons or reagent ions of a second polarity are generated in the reaction region, wherein the second polarity is opposite to said first polarity. The free electrons or reagent ions are then reacted with the analyte ions in the reaction region so as to reduce the charge state of the multiply charged analyte ions and thereby produce charge-reduced analyte ions.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing supercharged analyte ions; and supplying electrons or reagent ions to said analyte ions so as to transfer charge from said reagent ions or electrons to said analyte ions, said transfer of charge causing at least some of said analyte ions to dissociate. The charge transfer step is performed at a relatively high pressure and preferably substantially at atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: There is provided a method of introducing ions into a mass spectrometer, comprising ionising a sample using a continuous ionisation source to form a plurality of ions, transporting said plurality of ions in a first, primary gas through a passageway and into an inlet of a mass spectrometer, introducing a second, auxiliary gas into said inlet, and controlling a flow rate of said second gas into said inlet so as to control a flow rate of said first gas through said passageway.

Abstract: A method is disclosed wherein parent or precursor ions are fragmented or reacted according to a first fragmentation or reaction mode, and when an ion of interest is detected the method then temporarily switches to a second mode of fragmentation or reaction. This enables a full un-biased MS/MS data set to be provided over a wide mass to charge ratio range with high-duty cycle, together with complementary detailed fragment data of interest, in a single experimental run or acquisition.