Abstract: A method, system, kit and uses for quantifying and normalizing at least one product of ethanol metabolism are provided. A method is provided for quantifying and normalizing at least one product of ethanol metabolism in a sample comprising creatinine. The method comprises adding a predetermined amount of at least one internal standard to the sample; adding deuterated creatinine to the sample; detecting and measuring at least one product of ethanol metabolism, the predetermined amount of at least one internal standard in the sample, the deuterated creatinine, and the creatinine. The method also comprises quantifying the amount of at least one product of ethanol metabolism in the sample using the measurement of the at least one internal standard; quantifying the amount of creatinine in the sample using the measurement of the deuterated creatinine; and normalizing the quantity of the at least one product of metabolism using the measurement of the creatinine.

Abstract: A method of operating an ion trap spectrometer system having an ion trap is provided.

Abstract: There is provided a linear ion trap having an ion guide and a method of operating same. The ion guide has a first end and a second end. The method involves a) providing a first group of ions within the ion guide; b) providing a second group of ions within the ion guide, the second group of ions being opposite in polarity to the first group of ions; c) providing an RF drive voltage to the ion guide to radially confine the first group of ions and the second group of ions in the ion guide; d) providing a gas flow of an inert gas in a first axial direction away from the first end of the ion guide and toward a middle of the ion guide to repel both the first group of ions and the second group of ions from the first end of the ion guide; and, e) providing a trapping region barrier for repelling both the first group of ions and the second group of ions away from the second end of the ion guide.

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: An apparatus for secondary ion mass spectrometry is provided having a target surface for supporting a sample on the target surface and an ion source configured to direct a beam of primary ions toward the sample to sputter secondary ions and neutral particles from the sample, A first chamber having an inlet provides gas to maintain high pressure at the sample for cooling the secondary ions and neutral particles, the high pressure being in the range of about 10?3 to about 1000 Torr. A method of secondary ion mass spectrometry is provided having a target surface for supporting a sample, directing a beam of primary ions toward the sample to sputter secondary ions and neutral particles from the sample, and providing a high pressure at the sample for cooling the secondary ions and neutral particles, the high pressure being in the range of about 10?3 to about 1000 Torr.

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 having an elongated rod set and a set of auxiliary electrodes is provided, the rod set having an entrance end and an exit end and a longitudinal axis. The method comprises a) admitting ions into the entrance end of the rod set; b) trapping at least some of the ions in the rod set by producing a barrier field at an exit member adjacent to the exit end of the rod set and by producing an RF field between the rods of the rod set; and, c) providing an auxiliary AC excitement voltage to the set of auxiliary electrodes to energize a first group of ions of a selected mass to charge.

Abstract: A method of operating a mass spectrometer having a rod set is provided. The rod set has a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a longitudinal axis extending between the first end and the second end.

Abstract: A method for dynamic pixel mass spectrometric imaging, or dynamic pixel imaging is disclosed. The method includes striking a sample to be scanned with a laser beam so that the laser beam releases analytes from the sample. The laser beam and the sample are then displaced relative to one another so that the laser beam substantially continuously traces a predefined path on the sample to release analytes from the sample along the predefined path. A mass analysis of the released analytes is performed.

Abstract: The invention provides a multipole ion trap. The trap has a longitudinal axis. An oscillating on-axis potential is set up along the longitudinal axis, providing a potential well in which ions are trapped. In some embodiments, rods forming the poles are symmetrically and equidistantly positioned about the longitudinal axis and RF signal with different magnitudes are applied to the poles. In other embodiments, the rods are not positioned symmetrically about the longitudinal axis and the RF signals applied to the poles may have the same or different magnitudes. Poles used in the invention may include two or more rods. An ion trap according to the invention may include more than two poles, and in some embodiments, a third or additional pole may be added to provide the oscillating on-axis potential. The ion trap may be used mass selectively scan ions, fragment ions and to trap and separate differently charged ions, among other uses.