Abstract: In a method for analysing a sample, a plurality of sample preparation devices and an automatic analytic device for analysing the sample are used, wherein said plurality of sample preparation devices and the automatic analytic device are connected to each other by a data processing unit in order to receive, process and send data from and/or to each one of said sample preparation devices and the automatic analytic device. The method comprises the steps of preparing a first portion of the sample by a first sample preparation device; analysing said first portion by the automatic analytic device in order to get a first result; comparing the first result with a value dependent decision criteria to get a first decision value or a second decision value by the data processing unit. If the decision value is the second decision value, a second portion of the same sample by the second sample preparation device is prepared and analysed by the automatic analytic device in order to get a second result.

Abstract: A mass spectrometer with a wide dynamic range, having:—a source (2) of ion beams,—an analyzer (4) for the ion beams generated by said source (2),—a detector (6) for the ions separated by said analyzer (4),—a treatment stage (8) for the analogue signal A generated by said detector, to obtain two separate signals A1=mA and A2=nA, where m>n, characterised by comprising:—an analogue/digital converter (10) for converting both said analogue signals A1 and A2 into two numerical values D1 and D2,—a controller (12) which receives both the numerical values D1 and D2 as input, and provides as output a single value equal to D1 if D1 is less than the end-of-scale value of the converter (10), or a value equal to (m/n)D2 if D1 is equal to the end-of-scale value of the converter.