Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated and rapid loading of a large number of samples for mass spectrometric analysis using various ionization methods (e.g. matrix assisted desorption by laser bombardment (MALDI) and atmosperic pressure ionization (API) methods such as electrospray). The aparatus utilizes microtiter plates to hold the sample, optical elements (e.g. fiber optic) to facilitate automated transport of the ions, and a multiple part capillary comprising at least two capillary sections joined with airtight seal by a union for use in mass spectrometry (particularly with ionization sources) to transport ions between pressure regions of a mass spectrometer for analysis is described herein. Preferably, the capillary is useful to transport ions from an elevated pressure ionization source to a first vacuum region of a mass analysis system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for automated and rapid loading of a large number of samples for mass spectrometric analysis using various ionization methods (e.g. matrix assisted desorption by laser bombardment (MALDI) and atmosperic pressure ionization (API) methods such as electrospray). The aparatus utilizes microtiter plates to hold the sample, optical elements (e.g. fiber optic) to facilitate automated transport of the ions, and a multiple part capillary comprising at least two capillary sections joined with airtight seal by a union for use in mass spectrometry (particularly with ionization sources) to transport ions between pressure regions of a mass spectrometer for analysis is described herein. Preferably, the capillary is useful to transport ions from an elevated pressure ionization source to a first vacuum region of a mass analysis system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method whereby ions from an ion source can be selected and transferred via a multipole analyzer by inductive detection. Ions generated at an elevated pressure are transferred by a pump and capillary system into a multipole device. The multipole device is composed of one analyzing section with two trapping sections at both sides. When the proper voltages are applied, the trapping sections trap ions within the analyzing region. The ions are then detected by two sets of detection electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple part capillary for use in mass analysis instruments. Specifically, a multiple part capillary comprising at least two capillary sections joined with airtight seal by a union for use in mass spectrometry (particularly with ionization sources) to transport ions between pressure regions of a mass spectrometer for analysis is described herein. Preferably, the capillary is useful to transport ions from an elevated pressure ionization source to a first vacuum region of a mass analysis system.

Abstract: A multipole ion guide capable of incorporating a plurality of ion sources (i.e., MALDI, ESI, EI/CI, etc.) to provide and analyze ions in a mass analyzer (i.e., ICR, TOF, quadrupole, etc.) has been designed. Such multipole ion guides comprise an array of pairs of parallel conducting rods (i.e., 3 pair, 4 pair, 5 pair, etc.), each pair being equally spaced from one another, with the array being bound on its top and bottom as well as its ends by DC electrodes. The ion guide then utilizes RF/DC potentials to accept ions from any of a multitude of ion sources to facilitate their transmission through differentially pumped regions to a high pressure mass analysis region.

Abstract: The present invention provides a nanospray means and method for use in mass analysis instruments. Specifically, a nanospray assembly is composed in part of a base, union, retainer, and nanospray needle, and an entrance cap, first capillary section, and union. Adjustments to the position of the nanospray needle within this assembly are made independent of the remainder of the ion source. The nanospray assembly is integrated with the remainder of the source by joining the first capillary section (of the nanospray assembly) with a second capillary section which is fixed in the body of the source.

Abstract: A means and method are disclosed whereby ions from an ion source can be selected and transferred to a time-of-flight mass analyzer via an arrangement of multipoles in such a way that fragmented ions may be generated by collision-induced dissociation or surface-induced dissociation. First, ions from the source are collisionally cooled by a first multipole. Second, the m/z range of the ions is then selected by a second multipole (preferably a quadrupole). Third, the selected ions are allowed to collide with a “collision surface” capable of producing fragment ions. Fourth, these fragment ions are collisionally cooled in a third multipole and delivered into a TOF mass analyzer for subsequent analysis of the fragmented ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray needle for use in electrospray ionization (ESI) for mass spectrometry. A spray needle is disclosed which is constructed to have an opening along its length such that a sample solution may be more readily introduced or loaded therein. Further, the design of the spray needle of the invention is more durable than the prior art spray needles and may be reusable. Because sample loading is more readily achieved, the spray needle of the invention is appropriate for use with a fully automated system for the analysis of samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing ions by determining times of flight include using a deflector to direct ions away from their otherwise intended or parallel course. Deflectors are used as gates, so that particular ions may be selected for deflection, while others are allowed to continue along their parallel or otherwise straight path, from the ion source, through a flight tube, and eventually, to a detector. According to the present invention, an extended Bradbury-Nielson gate, in the form of a series of plates, with equal but alternating opposite polarity potentials, is used as an ion deflector or gate.

Abstract: A means and method are disclosed for multiplexing a plurality of samples from multiple sprayer devices to be efficiently transferred to a mass analyzer for subsequent analysis. Sample sprays are formed from a plurality of sprayers, which are desolvated to form the sample ions. The sample ions are then selected from one of the sprayers for transportation into a mass analyzer. To accomplish this, the apparatus of the invention comprises a multi-part capillary wherein a first section thereof is connected to a motor which is able to move this first section from one sprayer to the next. This first section may be a flexible tube-like structure loosely mounted in an aperture of a cone-shaped end of a motor which rotates such that the sampling orifice may be aligned with different sprayers at different times to sequentially and repetitively sample ions produced by each of the plurality of sprayers.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for mass spectrometry using a dual ion trapping system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, three “linear” multipoles are combined to create a dual linear ion trap system for trapping, analyzing, fragmenting and transmitting parent and fragment ions to a mass analyzer—preferably a TOF mass analyzer. The dual ion trap according to the present invention includes two linear ion traps, one positioned before an analytic quadrupole and one after the analytic multipole. Both linear ion traps are multipoles composed of any desired number of rods—i.e. the traps are quadrupoles, pentapoles, hexapoles, octapoles, etc. Such arrangement enables one to maintain a high “duty cycle” while avoiding “memory effects” and also reduces the power consumed in operating the analyzing quadrupole.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to time-of-flight mass spectrometers and discloses an improved method and apparatus for analyzing ions using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. More specifically, the present invention comprises two or more electrostatic reflectors positioned coaxially with respect to one another such that ions generated by an ion source can be reflected back and forth between them. The first reflecting device is an ion accelerator which functions as both an accelerating device to provide the initial acceleration to the ions, and a reflecting device to reflect the ions in the subsequent mass analysis. The second reflecting device is a reflectron which functions only to reflect the ions in the mass analysis. During the mass analysis, the ions are reflected back and forth between the accelerator and reflectron multiple times.

Abstract: The ionization chamber consists of a plurality of ports to accept multiple identical devices or varying devices. Ports may be arranged at various positions on the ionization chamber and at various angles with respect to the sampling orifice leading into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. A plurality of sprayers may operate in a time modulated manner and thereby the simultaneous multiplexed analysis of a multitude of samples is facilitated.

Abstract: A means and method are disclosed whereby ions from an ion source can be selected and transferred to a time-of-flight mass analyzer via an arrangement of multipoles in such a way that fragmented ions may be generated by collision-induced dissociation or surface-induced dissociation. First, ions from the source are collisionally cooled by a first multipole. Second, the m/z range of the ions is then selected by a second multipole (preferably a quadrupole). Third, the selected ions are allowed to collide with a “collision surface” capable of producing fragment ions. Fourth, these fragment ions are collisionally cooled in a third multipole and delivered into a TOF mass analyzer for subsequent analysis of the fragmented ions.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray needle for use in electrospray ionization (ESI) for mass spectrometry. A spray needle is disclosed which is constructed to have an opening along its length such that a sample solution may be more readily introduced or loaded therein. Further, the design of the spray needle of the invention is more durable than the prior art spray needles and may be reusable. Because sample loading is more readily achieved, the spray needle of the invention is appropriate for use with a fully automated system for the analysis of samples.

Abstract: A means and method whereby ions from an ion source can be selected and transferred via a multipole analyzer system in such a way that ions are trapped and analyzed by inductive detection. Ions generated at an elevated pressure are transferred by a pump and capillary system into a multipole device. The multipole device is composed of one analyzing section with two trapping sections at both sides. When the proper voltages are applied, the trapping sections trap ions within the analyzing region. The ions are then detected by two sets of detection electrodes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for analyzing ions including an ion accelerator and one or more reflectrons positioned with respect to one another such that ions can be reflected back and forth between therebetween. The ion accelerator acts both to provide the initial acceleration of ions received from an ion source and to reflect these ions in the subsequent mass analysis. The reflectrons act only reflect ions in such a manner that all ions of a given mass-to-charge ratio have substantially the same flight time through the analyzer. During ion analysis, ions are reflected back and forth between the accelerator and the reflectrons multiple times, until, at the conclusion of the ion analysis, the accelerator is rapidly deenergized so as to allow the ions to pass through the accelerator and into a detector.

Abstract: A means and method are disclosed for multiplexing a plurality of samples from multiple sprayer devices to be efficiently transferred to a mass analyzer for subsequent analysis. Sample sprays are formed from a plurality of sprayers, which are desolvated to form the sample ions. The sample ions are then selected from one of the sprayers for transportation into a mass analyzer. To accomplish this, the apparatus of the invention comprises a multi-part capillary wherein a first section thereof is connected to a motor which is able to move this first section from one sprayer to the next. This first section may be a flexible tube-like structure loosely mounted in an aperture of a cone-shaped end of a motor which rotates such that the sampling orifice may be aligned with different sprayers at different times to sequentially and repetitively sample ions produced by each of the plurality of sprayers.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved apparatus and method for mass spectrometry using a dual ion trapping system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, three “linear” multipoles are combined to create a dual linear ion trap system for trapping, analyzing, fragmenting and transmitting parent and fragment ions to a mass analyzer—preferably a TOF mass analyzer. The dual ion trap according to the present invention includes two linear ion traps, one positioned before an analytic quadrupole and one after the analytic multipole. Both linear ion traps are multipoles composed of any desired number of rods—i.e. the traps are quadrupoles, pentapoles, hexapoles, octapoles, etc. Such arrangement enables one to maintain a high “duty cycle” while avoiding “memory effects” and also reduces the power consumed in operating the analyzing quadrupole.

Abstract: The invention relates to means and methods for the orthogonal introduction of ions into a TOF mass spectrometer, whereby ions from an ion source can be efficiently transferred via a multipole ion guide such that they can be readily analyzed in a TOF analyzer. The invention includes first introducing ions into an ion guide, preferably an RF/DC ion guide, which guides the ions into a multipole ion trap. Both the ion guide and ion trap are preferably orthogonal to the flight direction of the TOF mass spectrometer. By changing the potentials on the electrodes of the multipole ion trap, the ions may be extracted from the trap in the direction of the flight region. Also, in accordance with the invention, the entrance region of the ion guide is held at moderate pressure to cool the ions to thermal energies. These ions are cooled due to collisions with neutral background gas molecules, thus lowering the energy spread of the ions. Preferably, the invention uses different DC and RF electrodes to trap and extract ions.