Abstract: A probe assembly is disclosed comprising an inlet for receiving an eluent from a chromatography device; an outlet for delivering the eluent to an ion source of a mass spectrometer; and an attachment device for attaching the outlet to the mass spectrometer. The outlet comprises an electrically conductive capillary and an electrically conductive member surrounding at least part of the electrically conductive capillary. The electrically conductive member is arranged to receive a voltage upon connection of the attachment device to the mass spectrometer and the electrically conductive member is arranged to provide an electrical connection from the electrically conductive member to the electrically conductive capillary.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising an ion block or sub-assembly having an internal passage. The atmospheric pressure interface further comprises either an inner sampling cone, a capillary interface or other gas limiting interface. The mass spectrometer comprises a clamp formed from a thermally insulating material and a removable outer gas cone which is slidably inserted into or onto the clamp so that the outer gas cone is retained by the clamp in use. The clamp is arranged and adapted to be pushed by a user into engagement with the ion block or sub-assembly so as to position the outer gas cone adjacent the inner sampling cone, capillary interface or other gas limiting interface so as to secure the outer gas cone to the ion block or sub-assembly and to form a gas tight seal with the ion block or sub-assembly without use of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an ionisation probe assembly to a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an attachment member for releasably attaching a probe assembly to the apparatus; a cap for enclosing the attachment member; wherein the apparatus is operable to deliver a voltage to a probe assembly only when the cap is arranged to enclose the attachment member; and wherein the cap is configurable to enclose the attachment member when a probe assembly is attached to the apparatus.

Abstract: A probe assembly is disclosed comprising an inlet for receiving an eluent from a chromatography device; an outlet for delivering the eluent to an ion source of a mass spectrometer; and an attachment device for attaching the outlet to the mass spectrometer. The outlet comprises an electrically conductive capillary and an electrically conductive member surrounding at least part of the electrically conductive capillary. The electrically conductive member is arranged to receive a voltage upon connection of the attachment device to the mass spectrometer and the electrically conductive member is arranged to provide an electrical connection from the electrically conductive member to the electrically conductive capillary.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an ionisation probe assembly to a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an attachment member for releasably attaching a probe assembly to the apparatus; a cap for enclosing the attachment member; wherein the apparatus is operable to deliver a voltage to a probe assembly only when the cap is arranged to enclose the attachment member; and wherein the cap is configurable to enclose the attachment member when a probe assembly is attached to the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ambient ionisation mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical, tubular, rod-shaped, coil-shaped, helical or spiral-shaped collision assembly; and a first device arranged and adapted to direct analyte, smoke, fumes, liquid, gas, surgical smoke, aerosol or vapour onto said collision assembly.

Abstract: An attachment device for releasably attaching a fluid line to a fluid inlet or outlet is disclosed. The device comprises an attachment member for releasably engaging a fluid inlet or outlet, and an elastic member coupled to the attachment member. The attachment device is attachable to a fluid line such that the attachment member is moveable relative to the fluid line and such that movement of the attachment member relative to the fluid line causes elastic deformation of the elastic member.

Abstract: An apparatus for connecting an ionisation probe assembly to a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed. The apparatus comprises: an attachment member for releasably attaching a probe assembly to the apparatus; a cap for enclosing the attachment member; wherein the apparatus is operable to deliver a voltage to a probe assembly only when the cap is arranged to enclose the attachment member; and wherein the cap is configurable to enclose the attachment member when a probe assembly is attached to the apparatus.

Abstract: A gasket seal for a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The gasket seal comprises a membrane having an outer profile and an inner profile and one or more protrusions. One or more ports are provided in the body of the membrane. In use a gas or fluid is supplied through at least one of the one or more ports via at least one of the one or more protrusions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion block for receiving ions; a heater for heating the ion block; a vacuum housing; and an interface block arranged between the ion block and the vacuum housing; wherein the interface block is formed from a polymer. The polymer interface block inhibits the heat transfer from the ion block to the vacuum housing and also electrically isolates the ion block and vacuum housing. The interface block further comprises at least one conduit through the body of the interface block. This enables gas to be transmitted through the interface block to the ion block, and also enables the interface block to be cooled.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising an ion block or sub-assembly having an internal passage. The atmospheric pressure interface further comprises either an inner sampling cone, a capillary interface or other gas limiting interface. The mass spectrometer comprises a clamp formed from a thermally insulating material and a removable outer gas cone which is slidably inserted into or onto the clamp so that the outer gas cone is retained by the clamp in use. The clamp is arranged and adapted to be pushed by a user into engagement with the ion block or sub-assembly so as to position the outer gas cone adjacent the inner sampling cone, capillary interface or other gas limiting interface so as to secure the outer gas cone to the ion block or sub-assembly and to form a gas tight seal with the ion block or sub-assembly without use of mechanical fasteners.

Abstract: An ion inlet assembly for connecting to a mass spectrometer housing is disclosed comprising a sampling limiting body having a sampling orifice. The sampling limiting body comprises a nickel disk wherein the disk and sampling orifice are made or formed by an electroforming process.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion block (2) for receiving ions; a heater (8) for heating the ion block (2); a vacuum housing (6); and an interface block (4) arranged between the ion block (2) and the vacuum housing (6); wherein the interface block (4) is formed from a polymer. The polymer interface block (4) inhibits the heat transfer from the ion block (2) to the vacuum housing (6) and also electrically isolates the ion block (2) and vacuum housing (6). The interface block (4) further comprises at least one conduit (12) through the body of the interface block (4). This enables gas to be transmitted through the interface block (4) to the ion block (2), and also enables the interface block (4) to be cooled.

Abstract: A gasket seal for a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The gasket seal comprises a membrane having an outer profile and an inner profile and one or more protrusions. One or more ports are provided in the body of the membrane. In use a gas or fluid is supplied through at least one of the one or more ports via at least one of the one or more protrusions.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first component, an annular vacuum chamber seal and a second component. The first component has a groove. The annular vacuum chamber seal comprises a main body portion and one or more blade or rib portions which protrude from the main body portion. The main body portion is located in the groove and the one or more blade or rib portions protrude above or beyond a surface of the first component. The second component is slid, in use, along the surface of the first component thereby deforming the one or more blade or rib portions so that the one or more blade or rib portions form a radial, diametric or piston seal between the first and second components.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube which surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.

Abstract: A probe assembly is disclosed comprising an inlet for receiving an eluent from a chromatography device; an outlet (120) for delivering the eluent to an ion source of a mass spectrometer; and an attachment device (122) for attaching the outlet to the mass spectrometer. The outlet comprises an electrically conductive capillary (124) and an electrically conductive member (129) surrounding at least part of the electrically conductive capillary (124). The electrically conductive member (129) is arranged to receive a voltage upon connection of the attachment device (122) to the mass spectrometer and the electrically conductive member (129) is arranged to provide an electrical connection from the electrically conductive member (129) to the electrically conductive capillary (124).

Abstract: A detachable and replaceable ion source for a mass spectrometer. The ion source comprises a housing which defines an ion source chamber, an ion source mounting means complementary to mounting means on the mass spectrometer to detachably couple with the mass spectrometer. This allows movement of the housing to bring the ion source chamber into a position of use at the inlet of said mass spectrometer and to take the ion source chamber from said position of use into a retracted position. Sealing means is provided to create an air tight seal between the housing and the mass spectrometer when the ion source chamber is in its position of use. A release mechanism is provided which cooperates with the mass spectrometer to allow the said movement of said housing.

Abstract: A detachable and replaceable ion source for a mass spectrometer. The ion source comprises a housing which defines an ion source chamber, an ion source mounting means complementary to mounting means on the mass spectrometer to detachably couple with the mass spectrometer. This allows movement of the housing to bring the ion source chamber into a position of use at the inlet of said mass spectrometer and to take the ion source chamber from said position of use into a retracted position. Sealing means is provided to create an air tight seal between the housing and the mass spectrometer when the ion source chamber is in its position of use. A release mechanism is provided which cooperates with the mass spectrometer to allow the said movement of said housing.