Abstract: A mass spectrometry system is described. The mass spectrometry system includes an ion source to ionize a sample stream, a detector positioned downstream with respect to the ion source to acquire mass spectrometry data of the sample stream, and a data analyzer connected to the detector. The data analyzer includes a chromatogram generator to process the mass spectrometry data to derive a chromatogram, a data point selector to apply a selection criterion to the chromatogram to select data points from the chromatogram, and a peak discriminator to apply a discriminating criterion to the data points to detect a peak in the chromatogram, wherein the peak is indicative of a presence of an analyte in the sample stream. A computer-readable medium for a mass spectrometry system and a method of processing mass spectrometry data are also described.

Abstract: A method for identifying components within a known type of sample through pattern recognition between an array of recognition coefficients generated from the attributes and stable relationships of a plurality of peaks within a chromatogram of a sample to be analyzed and a similar array of recognition coefficients generated from the attributes and stable relationships of a plurality of peaks from a set of one or more historical chromatograms of the known type of sample. The group of attributes include, but are not limited to: retention time, peak shape including symmetry, width and duration, peak size including area and height, and algorithmic measures of peak type.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for regulating the passage of fluid through a chamber or other type of conduit. Fluid passage is terminated when the volume of fluid which has swept through a chamber equals a selected multiple of the chamber's internal volume, which multiple is known as swept chamber volumes.

Abstract: A method of creating a self-documenting logfile which records the status and operation of a substantially computer-controlled device. The method comprises the steps of accepting input commands from a user for controlling the device status and operation; monitoring the device characteristics; detecting deviations in the device status, user inputs, and procedural steps in the device's operation; writing these detected events to the logfile with the date and time of which the detected event occurred; and retrieving the logfile upon user demands for review of the logfile. In order to comply with good laboratory practices (GLP), the method additionally comprises steps for verifying the user input commands by determining the acceptability of the input commands, detecting inadvertent alteration to the logfile and testing the validity of the logfile for invalid data. Steps for providing an enciphering key within the event lines which comprise the logfile in order to detect tampering are also disclosed.