Abstract: In one aspect, an ion guide for use in a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which comprises a pair of printed circuit boards (PCBs) having an inlet for receiving a plurality of ions from an upstream ion source and outlet through which the ions exit the ion guide. The ion guide includes at least two ion paths provided in the space between the two PCBs for transmission of ions from the inlet to the outlet. The ion guide can further include at least one ion-routing device that can be coupled to the ions paths for selecting a propagation path of the ions between those ion paths. In some embodiments, the two ion paths can have at least one segment in common.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a signal quality assessment for mass spectrometry are provided. The system includes a processor that utilizes a wavelet-based feature extraction for the signal quality assessment of a chromatogram signal. The signal quality assessment is used to control operational parameters such as a flowrate of a pump that moves liquid droplets toward an ionization device of a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An integrated sample processing system including an analyzer and a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The integrated sample processing system can perform multiple different types of detection, thereby providing improved flexibility and better accuracy in processing samples. The detection systems in the sample processing system may include an optical detection system and a mass spectrometer.

Abstract: The disclosure provides systems and methods for introducing a sample into an open port interface of an analytical device. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a sampling system that includes a dispenser, a hollow tip that releasably couples to the dispenser, and a gantry for receiving the tip. The gantry can be mounted to the open port interface of an analytical device.

Abstract: A method for calibrating a mass spectrometry (MS) system includes: receiving at least one input through a corresponding to a calibrator in a sample, wherein the sample includes an analyte, and wherein the sample is analyzed by the MS system; automatically determining a plurality of transitions in the sample corresponding to the calibrator according to natural abundances of isotopes; automatically determining concentrations of the plurality of transitions according to a concentration of the calibrator in the sample; identifying a plurality of transitions as calibrator transitions and for identifying a different one of the plurality of transitions as an internal standard; detecting a concentration of each of the plurality of transitions and the calibrator in the sample; automatically calibrating the MS system based in part on the detected concentrations of the plurality of calibrator transitions and the internal standard; and detecting the concentration of the analyte in response to execution of the calibration

Abstract: Methods, compositions, kits, and apparatuses for MS-based quantification of a target analyte (e.g., a peptide, a hormone) in a sample are provided for increasing the productivity and/or throughput of samples by reducing the time and/or cost associated with conventional techniques for external instrument calibration that typically utilize a series of calibrators that are sequentially run through the same analytical process as a batch of samples. In various aspects, calibration mixtures are provided containing a known quantity of a plurality of calibrants for a target analyte of interest, with each calibrant being distinguishable in the calibration mixture by mass spectrometry such that a complete calibration curve can be generated from a single external calibration run.

Abstract: A method for assigning charge state in mass spectrometry includes receiving a detector response signal corresponding to a plurality of ion arrival events. The detector response signal includes information related to individual ion responses generated by a detector for each ion arrival event. Detector response profiles are generated for mass-to-charge (m/z) bins of a mass spectrum generated from the ion arrival events based on the detector response signal. The m/z bins are grouped into a plurality of groups based on a similarity of the detector response profiles of the m/z bins. A charge state is assigned to one or more features based on the groups of m/z bins.

Abstract: Methods and systems of determining sampling triggers for an analysis device, the methods and systems including obtaining a frequency of sampling triggers, a cycle time to acquire a single data point, a number of data points to be acquired for a single peak, and a baseline signal width of a single sampling trigger peak, determining a desired number of sampling triggers to be performed and a delay time between sampling events based on the frequency of sampling triggers, the cycle time, the number of data points to be acquired for the single peak, and the baseline signal width of the single sampling trigger peak, and performing a measurement of a sample by executing the determined desired number of sampling triggers from the sample.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of extracting a target analyte from a sample for introduction into a mass spectrometer is disclosed, which includes mixing the sample with a paramagnetic medium to form a mixture, subjecting the mixture to a magnetic field gradient to form a non-homogenous distribution of at least one of the analyte and at least one interfering component of the sample, if any, thereby enhancing a concentration of the target analyte within a spatial location of said mixture, extracting at least a portion of the target analyte from that spatial location, and introducing at least a portion of the extracted target analyte into said mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An analyzer and sample handling system suitable for retrieving and processing a sample housed within a suitably configured reaction vessel, and then discarding the used reaction vessel by vertically or axially pushing downward on the vessel supported in a suitably configured tray with a pressing member that forms part of an autosampler assembly are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A Fourier Transform electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT) is disclosed with an electron multiplier detector comprising one of a microchannel plate and a channel electron multiplier. An (ELIT) is provided comprising a central axis along which ions travel; an image current detector disposed at least partially around the central axis of the ELIT; and an electron multiplier detector arranged in an opening of the image current detector, the electron multiplier detector being operable to receive ions deflected from the central axis. The electron multiplier detector may have a front surface that is perpendicular to the central axis of the ELIT. The electron multiplier detector may comprise two separate elements at non-normal angles to the central axis of the ELIT. The image current detector may comprise a cylinder with the opening on one side in which the electron multiplier detector is arranged, a U-shape, or a half-tube detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for ion injection into an electrostatic trap. Various aspects of this disclosure provide a mass spectrometer system including a primary ion path including a plurality of quadrupoles; and a secondary ion path coupled to the primary ion path utilizing turning elements. The secondary ion path may include an electrostatic linear ion trap (ELIT), the ELIT being operable to analyze ions diverted from the primary ion path and return them to the primary ion path. The primary ion path may include a time-of-flight mass analyzer. The secondary ion path may be bi-directional. Ions may travel in a first direction when coupled into the secondary ion path using a first turning element in the primary ion path and may travel in a second direction when coupled into the secondary ion path utilizing a second turning element in the primary ion path. The secondary ion path may include a collision quadrupole.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings. MS-based systems and methods are provided in which the flow of solvent into an open port sampling probe fluidly coupled to an ion source can be selectively stopped during the addition of one or more reagents into the drained open end of the sampling probe. Upon re-initiating the flow of solvent, the reagents and/or the reaction products can be delivered to the ion source. In one aspect, a method for chemical analysis is provided, the method comprising directing a flow of a first solvent from a solvent conduit to an ion source via a sampling space of a sampling probe, wherein the sampling space is at least partially defined by an open end of the sampling probe.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, MS-based systems and methods are provided in which an open port of a sampling probe for receiving a specimen may be exposed to washing solvent to wash the sampling probe while fluid within the sampling probe remains continuously flowing.

Abstract: An uncertainty weighted average of the equalized amounts of two or more quantifier ions is calculated from a quantitation experiment itself. n known i ions of a compound are mass analyzed over time in each of m different samples, producing n XIC peaks for each of the m samples. A reference ion j is selected that is a j ion of the n i ions or a hypothetical ion j. A ratio r(j,i) of a peak area of the j ion to a peak area of each ion of the n i ions is calculated for each of the m samples, producing m r(j,i) ratios for each of the n i ions. An expected ratio rq(j,i) is calculated for each ion of the n i ions from the m r(j,i) ratios for each of the n i ions. For each sample, the uncertainty weighted average is calculated using rq(j,i).

Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of an electrode within a nebulizer probe of a mass spectrometry device having an open port interface for receiving a sample includes performing a first analysis of the sample at a first analysis condition including a first position of the electrode and a first flow rate. After performing the first analysis, a second analysis of the sample is performed at a second analysis condition including the first position of the electrode and a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate. Thereafter, a third analysis of the sample is performed at a third analysis condition including a second position of the electrode and the second flow rate.

Abstract: A method and system for investigating and analyzing data from a mass spectrometer, the system including a spectral database, a count service for receiving scan data generated by the mass spectrometer and identifying a number of spectra in the data, a scaling service for receiving the scan data generated by the mass spectrometer, receiving the number of spectra from the count service, and initiating a plurality of query services, each query service of the plurality of query services corresponding to at least one spectra of the number of spectra and for querying the spectral database with the corresponding at least one spectra and returning a match between the corresponding at least one spectra and at least one known spectra from the spectral database, and a results service for retrieving each match, and formatting each match into an output data structure.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer that includes an MCP detector selects and analyzes a calibrant compound that has a first isotope and a second isotope with a known abundance ratio. The mass spectrometer measures the intensity of the first isotope that produces multiple-ion strikes at the MCP detector and the intensity of the second isotope that produces single-ion strikes at the MCP detector while the bias voltage of the MCP detector is stepped through a sequence of one or more different voltages. At each step, the ratio of the measured intensities is compared to the known abundance ratio for the two isotopes. When the measured ratio is within a predetermined threshold of the known abundance ratio, an optimum voltage for the MCP detector is calculated using one or more measured ratios calculated for voltages of the sequence of voltages.

Abstract: Methods of detecting at least one analyte in at least one liquid sample are described. The method includes the steps of desalting the liquid sample, acoustically ejecting the desalted sample into an open-port interface, diluting the desalted sample, and transferring the diluted sample to an ionization source, ionizing the diluted sample, and selecting ions of interest by ion mobility.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein utilize a multipole ion guide that can receive ions from an ion source for transmission to downstream mass analyzers while preventing unwanted/interfering/contaminating ions from being transmitted into the high vacuum changes of mass spectrometry systems. In various aspects, RF and/or DC signals can be provided to auxiliary electrodes interposed within a quadrupole rod set so as to control or manipulate the transmission of ions from the multiple ion guide.