Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that comprises acquiring mass spectral data during a single experimental run or acquisition of a mass spectrometer and determining a first time T during the single experimental run or acquisition for calibrating the mass spectrometer. The step of determining the first time T further comprises determining a time when the mass spectral data being acquired during the single experimental run or acquisition is equal to or below a threshold. The mass spectrometer is then calibrated by introducing calibrant or lockmass ions at the first time T.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein highly charged fragment ions resulting from Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation of parent ions are reduced in charge state within a Proton Transfer Reaction cell by reacting the fragment ions with a neutral superbase reagent gas such as Octahydropyrimidolazepine.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed for determining if a mutated variant of a target protein is present in a sample. The method comprises subjecting the sample to fragmentation so as to cause said target protein to fragment to form second generation fragment ions, and then mass analysing these fragment ions to obtain spectral data. The method determines if a mutated variant is present in the sample by determining that an ion in the spectral data has a mass to charge ratio that differs from the mass to charge ratio of an ion that would be observed if said target protein was a normal unmutated version of said target protein, and by an amount that corresponds to a mass difference that would be caused by the target protein being a mutated variant of said target protein. This method of analysing second generation fragment ions if a rapid and efficiency method of analysing a sample.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a dual channel Solvent Assisted Inlet Ionization (“SAII”) interface.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein highly charged fragment ions resulting from Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation of parent ions are reduced in charge state within a Proton Transfer Reaction cell by reacting the fragment ions with a neutral superbase reagent gas such as Octahydropyrimidolazepine.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises providing a spectrometer comprising an orifice between an atmospheric pressure region and a sub-atmospheric pressure region of the spectrometer, wherein the sub-atmospheric pressure region comprises an ion guide or ion trap; providing a sample probe comprising a needle assembly on which a sample is deposited or that is supplied with a sample; inserting the needle assembly through the orifice and into the sub-atmospheric pressure region so that the sample is arranged within or adjacent to the ion guide or ion trap in the sub-atmospheric pressure region; and then desorbing the sample from the needle assembly within the sub-atmospheric pressure region and/or ionising the sample within the sub-atmospheric pressure region so as to generate ions that enter the ion guide or ion trap.

Abstract: A sample plate for an ion source is disclosed comprising a plurality of ionization regions, each ionization region comprising a first electrode and a second separate electrode separated by an insulator.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a survey scan of a plurality of different types of parent or precursor ions, wherein the survey scan comprises analyzing the ion mobilities of the ions and mass analyzing the ions; determining the charge states of parent or precursor ions analyzed in the survey scan based on their determined combinations of ion mobility and mass to charge ratio; selecting a parent or precursor ion for fragmentation or reaction; and fragmenting or reacting the selected ion, wherein the fragmentation or reaction conditions are selected from a plurality of different fragmentation or reaction conditions based upon the determined charge state of the selected ion.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed that comprises acquiring mass spectral data during a single experimental run or acquisition of a mass spectrometer and determining a first time T during the single experimental run or acquisition for calibrating the mass spectrometer. The step of determining the first time T further comprises determining a time when the mass spectral data being acquired during the single experimental run or acquisition is equal to or below a threshold. The mass spectrometer is then calibrated by introducing calibrant or lockmass ions at the first time T.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a Time of Flight mass analyzer comprising an ion detector comprising an Analog to Digital Converter. Signals from the Analog to Digital Converter are digitized and the arrival time and intensity of ions are determined. The arrival time T0 and intensity S0 of each ion arrival event is converted into two separate intensities S(n),S(n+i) which are stored in neighboring time bins T(n), T(n+1).

Abstract: A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising testing a first portion of a sample by automatically varying one or more parameters of a laser or other ionization device and manually or automatically determining from the first portion one or more optimum or preferred parameters of the laser or other ionization device. A second portion of the sample is then analyzed using the one or more optimum or preferred parameters.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising directing first photons from a laser onto ions located within a 2D or linear ion guide or ion trap. The frequency of the first photons is scanned and first photons and/or second photons emitted by the ions are detected. The ions are then mass analysed using a Time of Flight mass analyser.

Abstract: A collision or reaction device for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to cause first ions to collide or react with charged particles and/or neutral particles or otherwise dissociate so as to form second ions. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply a broadband excitation with one or more frequency notches to the first device so as to cause the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions to be substantially ejected from the collision or reaction region. The collision or reaction device further comprises a device arranged and adapted to determine the time when the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions are substantially ejected from the first device.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion source; an aperture; a flight region arranged between the ion source and aperture for separating ions according to their mass to charge ratio; and ion optics arranged and configured for causing ions to be reflected or deflected whilst they separate according to mass to charge ratio in the flight region and such that the ions are focussed to a geometrical focal point at the aperture so that the ions are transmitted through the aperture. The multi-reflecting or multi-deflecting ion optics provides a relatively long flight path for the ions, whilst naturally converging the ion beam to a focus. As this focus is arranged at the aperture, it enables the aperture to be made relatively small whilst still maintaining high ion transmission efficiency.

Abstract: A method of screening or testing a sample is disclosed that comprises ionising a native human hemoglobin sample to generate parent or precursor ions, subjecting the parent or precursor ions to Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation so as to generate a plurality of fragment ions, mass analysing the fragment ions and determining whether or not the fragment ions include fragment ions which are indicative of a variant of hemoglobin.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed having a mode comprising: providing a source of precursor ions and reagent ions for reacting with said precursor ions; providing a reaction region downstream of said source; providing an ion mobility separator between said source and said reaction region; providing a bypass cell between said source and said reaction region for guiding ions from said source to said reaction region without the ions passing through said ion mobility separator; guiding said precursor ions from said source, through said ion mobility separator so that said precursor ions separate according to their ion mobility and into said reaction region; and guiding said reagent ions from said source, through said bypass cell and into said reaction region; wherein the reagent ions react with the precursor ions within the reaction region to produce product ions.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing gas phase analyte in a vacuum housing; electrospraying a reagent solution outside of the vacuum housing so as to form charged droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions; conveying the charged droplets and/or reagent ions into the vacuum housing and reacting them with the analyte so as to form analyte ions; and analysing the analyte ions with a mass analyser and/or ion mobility analyser. Reacting the droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions with the analyte in sub-atmospheric pressures improved the reaction conditions.

Abstract: A method of charge stripping analyte ions is disclosed. The method comprises reacting the analyte ions with reagent ions or charged particles; and then urging the reacted analyte ions through a neutral, inert gas such that said analyte ions interact or collide with the gas molecules in a manner that reduces the charge state of the reacted analyte ions, thereby forming product ions of reduced charge state. The combination of reacting the analyte ions and then urging the reacted ions through the gas results in a charge reduction that is greater than that which would be caused by either of the individual steps of reacting the ions or urging the ions through the gas.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising mass analysing first ions derived from an analyte molecule, wherein the first ions have a first charge state; determining a first mass or mass to charge ratio of the first ions; mass analysing second ions derived from the analyte molecule, wherein the second ions have a second different charge state and wherein the second ions comprise protonated or adduct variants of the first ions; determining a second mass or mass to charge ratio of the second ions; a determining a calibration correction based upon the first mass or mass to charge ratio and the second mass or mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation (“MALDI”) ion source is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to supply a flow of liquid on to the surface of a target or a sample to be analysed so that the liquid forms a liquid junction on the surface of the target or the sample to be analysed and wherein analyte molecules to be ionised are extracted into the liquid junction, and a laser source emits a laser beam which causes analyte ions or an analyte plume to be released or desorbed from the liquid junction.