Abstract: A mass analyzer system includes an ion inlet that receives a flow of ions, a multi-mode ion controller that controls some or all of the ions, and a multi-mode mass analyzer, in communication with the ion controller, that performs at least one of analyzing and controlling some or all of the ions. The system also includes a detector, in communication with the multi-mode mass analyzer, that detects some or all of the ions and a processor that controls the operation of at least one of the multi-mode ion controller and the multimode mass analyzer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for counting nuclei for cells in a cell-containing sample are disclosed, such as carried out on a computer. The methods comprise: receiving a raw image of the cell-containing sample; transforming the raw image into a segmented image comprising one or more nuclei clusters. The methods further comprise: for each of the one or more nuclei clusters, obtaining a convex hull of the nuclei cluster; locating any indentations on the nuclei cluster by comparing the nuclei cluster to the convex hull of the nuclei cluster; calculating a first nuclei count based on a tally of the indentations; and assigning the nuclei cluster to a cell among the plurality of cells. The methods further comprise: calculating a second nuclei count for each cell by totaling the first nuclei counts of its constituent nuclei clusters; and presenting a result based on the second nuclei count for at least one of the plurality of cells.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing background noise in a mass spectrum. The method includes the following steps of: (a) obtaining an original mass spectrum; (b) determining a noise mass spectrum corresponding to background noise in the original mass spectrum; and (c) determining a corrected mass spectrum by subtracting the noise mass spectrum from the original mass spectrum. Step (b) of the method may include the steps of: A) effecting a transformation of the original mass spectrum into the frequency domain to obtain an original frequency spectrum; B) identifying at least one dominant frequency in the original frequency spectrum; C) generating a noise frequency spectrum by selectively filtering for said dominant frequencies; and D) determining the noise mass spectrum by effecting a transformation of the noise frequency spectrum into the mass domain.

Abstract: A method of operating a mass spectrometer system having an ion trap is provided. The method comprises encoding a selected characteristic in at least one of the first group of precursor ions and the first plurality of fragments, wherein the encoding operation is applied to at least one of the first group of precursor ions and the first plurality of fragments without being applied to other ions such that the first plurality of fragment ions has the first selected characteristic and the other ions lack the first selected characteristic.

Abstract: Methods and kits for high throughput screening and analysis of metabolic disorders using a laser desorption ion source coupled to a mass analyzer (for example, MALDI) are provided. The metabolic disorders can be amino acid, organic acid or fatty acid oxidation disorders. A panel of disorders can be analyzed at high speeds. The methods and kits are particularly useful for newborn screening (NBS) of metabolic disorders.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer programming for collecting data using a mass spectrometer comprising a particle detector or other mass analyzer. A data collection such as a tree or array structure which includes data records for storing detected data is maintained in volatile or persistent memory. Data is received from the mass analyzer. Whether the collection contains data records corresponding to newly-acquired data signals is determined. If the collection does not contain records corresponding to the newly-received records, a new record is added. In either case, the record corresponding to the received data record is updated to reflect reception of the newly-acquired signal.