Abstract: A data acquisition system for a TOF mass spectrometer comprises a processing module and a data collection module. The processing module generates a stream of data comprising, for each respective transient of a first scan, a set of time-intensity related parameter pairs. For each new set of data, the data collection module reads out a previous set of data from a previous memory bank, merges that previous set of data with the new set of data, and writes that latest merged set of data into a memory bank other than the previous memory bank. The data acquisition system provides a convenient way to merge sequential sets of time-intensity related parameter pairs for respective transients as a stream of data for a first scan is generated.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing an algorithm or relationship that relates the ion mobilities of an analyte ion through three gases of different polarizability to the mass of the analyte ion; measuring the ion mobilities of an analyte ion through first, second and third different drift gases; and using the measured ion mobilities and said algorithm or relationship to determine the mass of the analyte ion. Embodiments of the invention enable the mass of an analyte to be determined without having to know the specific properties of the analyte ion.

Abstract: A method of separating ions comprises causing ions to separate according to their ion mobility or differential ion mobility by virtue of their interactions with a buffer gas within an ion mobility or differential ion mobility separation device. The buffer gas comprises one or more organic, organosilicon or silicon-based compounds.

Abstract: A method of Fourier transform ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed wherein an absorption spectrum of the complex spectral data is used to determine the ion mobilities of ions.

Abstract: A method of Fourier Transform ion mobility mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising determining the presence of different types of ions by determining that the different types of ions have different combinations of ion mobility and mass to charge ratio.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cross-sectional area of a molecule for use in the prediction of ion mobility gives gas phase interaction radii determination and cross-sectional algorithm computation to provide separation and characterisation of structurally related isomers. More specifically, the invention provides a method of correlating the differences in the molecular structures with differences in anti-cancer activity of pre-determined anti-cancer drugs by utilizing a new algorithm for estimating the cross-sectional area of the molecules of such drugs.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cross-sectional area of a molecule for use in the prediction of ion mobility gives gas phase interaction radii determination and cross-sectional algorithm computation to provide separation and characterization of structurally related isomers. More specifically, the invention provides a method of correlating the differences in the molecular structures with differences in anti-cancer activity of pre-determined anti-cancer drugs by utilizing a new algorithm for estimating the cross-sectional area of the molecules of such drugs.

Abstract: A hardware module which operatively carries out a method of compressing mass spectral data, the method comprising: receiving a first signal output from an ion detector of a mass spectrometer; processing the first signal to a digital signal at an output being data frame types representative of the first signal output; temporarily storing the data frame types in a memory block and reading a data frame from the memory block and determining its data frame type and according to its data frame type compressing the data frame according to one or more compression algorithms to generate a compressed data output stream.

Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed wherein one or more relatively abundant or intense species of ions in a first population of ions are selectively attenuated so as to form a second population of ions. The total ion current of the second population of ions is then adjusted so that the ion current corresponding to ions which are onwardly transmitted to a mass analyser comprising an ion detector is within the dynamic range of the ion detector.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cross-sectional area of a molecule for use in the prediction of ion mobility gives gas phase interaction radii determination and cross-sectional algorithm computation to provide separation and characterisation of structurally related isomers. More specifically, the invention provides a method of correlating the differences in the molecular structures with differences in anti-cancer activity of pre-determined anti-cancer drugs by utilizing a new algorithm for estimating the cross-sectional area of the molecules of such drugs.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cross-sectional area of a molecule for use in the prediction of ion mobility gives gas phase interaction radii determination and cross-sectional algorithm computation to provide separation and characterization of structurally related isomers. More specifically, the invention provides a method of correlating the differences in the molecular structures with differences in anti-cancer activity of pre-determined anti-cancer drugs by utilizing a new algorithm for estimating the cross-sectional area of the molecules of such drugs.

Abstract: A method and system for the identification and/or characterization of properties of a sample using mass spectrometry. The method involves producing a measured spectrum of data from a sample using a mass spectrometer, deconvoluting the measured spectrum of data by Bayesian inference to produce a family of plausible deconvoluted spectra of data, inferring an underlying spectrum of data from the family of plausible deconvoluted spectra of data and using the underlying spectrum of data to identify and/or characterize the sample.

Abstract: A method and system for the identification and/or characterisation of properties of a sample using mass spectrometry. The method involves producing a measured spectrum of data from a sample using a mass spectrometer, deconvoluting the measured spectrum of data by Bayesian inference to produce a family of plausible deconvoluted spectra of data, inferring an underlying spectrum of data from the family of plausible deconvoluted spectra of data and using the underlying spectrum of data to identify and/or characterise the sample.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cross-sectional area of a molecule for use in the prediction of ion mobility gives gas phase interaction radii determination and cross-sectional algorithm computation to provide separation and characterisation of structurally related isomers. More specifically, the invention provides a method of correlating the differences in the molecular structures with differences in anti-cancer activity of pre-determined anti-cancer drugs by utilizing a new algorithm for estimating the cross-sectional area of the molecules of such drugs.

Abstract: A method of estimating the cross-sectional area of a molecule for use in the prediction of ion mobility gives gas phase interaction radii determination and cross-sectional algorithm computation to provide separation and characterisation of structurally related isomers. More specifically, the invention provides a method of correlating the differences in the molecular structures with differences in anti-cancer activity of pre-determined anti-cancer drugs by utilizing a new algorithm for estimating the cross-sectional area of the molecules of such drugs.