Abstract: An apparatus for use in a chromatography system includes a microfluidic substrate having a fluidic channel configured as an analytical chromatographic column and a fluidic port on one side of the microfluidic substrate. The fluidic port opens at a head end of the analytical chromatographic column. A dried blood spot (DBS) collection device holds one or more dried biological samples. The DBS collection device is directly coupled to the microfluidic substrate whereby one of the biological samples is placed into fluidic communication with the fluidic channel of the microfluidic substrate and an extraction of that biological sample flows toward the head end of the analytical chromatographic column. A diluent source fluidically coupled to the fluidic port supplies a solvent to the head end of the analytical column to dilute the extracted biological sample before the biological sample flows into the analytical chromatographic column.

Abstract: A method of ionizing a sample includes providing an aqueous liquid and directing a jet comprising carbon dioxide to interact with the provided aqueous liquid. One or both of the aqueous liquid and the jet comprise the sample. At least a portion of the sample is ionized due to the interaction.

Abstract: A method of ionizing a sample includes providing an aqueous liquid and directing a jet comprising carbon dioxide to interact with the provided aqueous liquid. One or both of the aqueous liquid and the jet comprise the sample. At least a portion of the sample is ionized due to the interaction.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a chromatography system includes a microfluidic substrate having a fluidic channel configured as an analytical chromatographic column and a fluidic port on one side of the microfluidic substrate. The fluidic port opens at a head end of the analytical chromatographic column. A dried blood spot (DBS) collection device holds one or more dried biological samples. The DBS collection device is directly coupled to the microfluidic substrate whereby one of the biological samples is placed into fluidic communication with the fluidic channel of the microfluidic substrate and an extraction of that biological sample flows toward the head end of the analytical chromatographic column. A diluent source fluidically coupled to the fluidic port supplies a solvent to the head end of the analytical column to dilute the extracted biological sample before the biological sample flows into the analytical chromatographic column.

Abstract: An electrospray emitter assembly (4) for an interface device (1) used to connect the output of a liquid chromatograph to the inlet of an electrospray ion source of a mass spectrometer (10). The device (1) incorporates an electrospray emitter assembly (4) that includes an emitter needle (40), a sheath (6) and a housing (5) with an attachment means in the form of a flange (55) for attachment to a mass spectrometer (10). The sheath (6) is arranged to shield the electrospray emitter needle (40) when the assembly is not attached to a mass spectrometer (10). The assembly (4) is operable to move the sheath (6) thereby to reveal, in use, the electrospray emitter needle (40) when the assembly (4) is attached to the mass spectrometer (10).

Abstract: Described are techniques for tuning parameters of a system. For one or more values of a distance, mass spectral analysis of a liquid analyte stream is performed. A corresponding ion signal intensity of a selected ion is obtained. The distance is measured from a first end of a first tube to a second end of a second tube which surrounds said first tube. Using a computing device, a current value of the distance is automatically adjusted in accordance with corresponding ion signal intensities obtained for the selected ion. Using a computing device, a desired value for the distance is automatically determined using the corresponding ion signal intensities. The desired value results in an ion signal intensity for the selected ion which is any of more than a threshold intensity and a maximum of ion signal intensities obtained by performing mass spectral analysis using different values for the distance.

Abstract: Described are techniques for tuning parameters of a system. For one or more values of a distance, mass spectral analysis of a liquid analyte stream is performed. A corresponding ion signal intensity of a selected ion is obtained. The distance is measured from a first end of a first tube to a second end of a second tube which surrounds said first tube. Using a computing device, a current value of the distance is automatically adjusted in accordance with corresponding ion signal intensities obtained for the selected ion. Using a computing device, a desired value for the distance is automatically determined using the corresponding ion signal intensities. The desired value results in an ion signal intensity for the selected ion which is any of more than a threshold intensity and a maximum of ion signal intensities obtained by performing mass spectral analysis using different values for the distance.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a device for analyzing a sample surface Comprising an outlet and a frame. The outlet is for forming a jet of gas, the jet forming a sampling region for receiving one or more sample surfaces, and the frame holding the outlet and being adapted to receive a detector means. The detector means has an inlet. In use, the jet produces desorbed sample from sample surfaces received in the sample area. At least a portion of the desorbed sample is ionized to produce one or more sample ions. The frame holds the outlet with respect to the sample ions and produce a signal indicative of the composition of the sample ions.

Abstract: The invention comprises apparatus for use with atmospheric pressure ionization sources in which an aerosol is formed from a solution of a sample. The aerosol is received in a hollow member and discharged outside the chamber of the ionization source in order to reduce contamination of the ionization source itself by involatile material in the solution and by previously analysed samples. The hollow member is easily removable from the ionization source to facilitate cleaning and replacement. Ionization sources, mass spectrometers, and ion mobility spectrometers comprising the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a device for analysing a sample surface Comprising an outlet and a frame. The outlet is for forming a jet of gas, the jet forming a sampling region for receiving one or more sample surfaces, and the frame holding the outlet and being adapted to receive a detector means. The detector means has an inlet. In use, the jet produces desorbed sample from sample surfaces received in the sample area. At least a portion of the desorbed sample is ionized to produce one or more sample ions. The frame holds the outlet with respect to the sample ions and produce a signal indicative of the composition of the sample ions.

Abstract: The invention comprises apparatus for use with atmospheric pressure ionization sources in which an aerosol is formed from a solution of a sample. The aerosol is received in a hollow member and discharged outside the chamber of the ionization source in order to reduce contamination of the ionization source itself by involatile material in the solution and by previously analysed samples. The hollow member is easily removable from the ionization source to facilitate cleaning and replacement. Ionization sources, mass spectrometers, and ion mobility spectrometers comprising the apparatus are also described.

Abstract: A thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, comprising a matrix material in a supported dispersion wherein the support is a solid or is formed from a solid. The invention is also directed to a method of making a thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, the layer comprising a matrix-solid composition disposed upon a substrate, comprising the step of depositing a solution containing matrix, solid and solvent upon a spinning substrate at a deposition rate sufficient to allow evaporation of the solvent, thereby interspersing the matrix and support on the substrate in a thin layer. Enhanced mass resolution is described.

Abstract: A thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, comprising a matrix material in a supported dispersion wherein the support is a solid or is formed from a solid. The invention is also directed to a method of making a thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, the layer comprising a matrix-solid composition disposed upon a substrate, comprising the step of depositing a solution containing matrix, solid and solvent upon a spinning substrate at a deposition rate sufficient to allow evaporation of the solvent, thereby interspersing the matrix and support on the substrate in a thin layer. Enhanced mass resolution is described.

Abstract: A thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, comprising a matrix material in a supported dispersion wherein the support is a solid or is formed from a solid. The invention is also directed to a method of making a thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, the layer comprising a matrix-solid composition disposed upon a substrate, comprising the step of depositing a solution containing matrix, solid and solvent upon a spinning substrate at a deposition rate sufficient to allow evaporation of the solvent, thereby interspersing the matrix and support on the substrate in a thin layer. Enhanced mass resolution is described.

Abstract: A thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, comprising a matrix material in a supported dispersion wherein the support is a solid or is formed from a solid. The invention is also directed to a method of making a thin layer for sample analysis by matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry, the layer comprising a matrix-solid composition disposed upon a substrate, comprising the step of depositing a solution containing matrix, solid and solvent upon a spinning substrate at a deposition rate sufficient to allow evaporation of the solvent, thereby interspersing the matrix and support on the substrate in a thin layer. Enhanced mass resolution is described.

Abstract: An interface apparatus for introducing a sample for analysis from a liquid flow into a mass spectrometer as a plurality of charged droplets is disclosed. The interface apparatus includes interface body which defines a spray chamber and an orifice, a spray means defining a liquid-flow inlet channel and an excess-sample-flow exit channel and having an open end disposed inside the spray chamber, and a voltage device for applying a voltage to the sample to form a plurality of charged droplets. The charged droplets pass through the orifice in the interface body and are introduced into a mass spectrometer for analysis. The interface includes a valve for regulating the flow of sample into the sample inlet channel and a device for imposing a pressure gradient on the sample at the open end which induces the sample to flow from the sample inlet channel through the excess sample outlet channel.

Abstract: An electrospray (ES) apparatus provides efficient reagent addition and improved ionization of an analyte aerosol at high flow rates by combining an ionized reagent aerosol with the analyte aerosol, thereby producing a superior ionized analyte aerosol for mass spectronomy (MS) implementations. The ES apparatus separately receives a reagent and a flow stream comprising analyte. The ES apparatus nebulizes the reagent and flow stream into aerosols, ionizes the reagent aerosol, combines the aerosols into an ionized analyte aerosol, and outputs the ionized analyte aerosol towards a mass spectrometer. The ionized analyte aerosol is formed at high flow rates and with effective reagent mixing, thereby minimizing flow stream aberrations and substantially improving signal sensitivity and selectivity in the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A system for forming a time modulated electrospray from a sample solution is provided. Further systems for analyzing this time modulated electrospray also are provided. An element connected to a time modulated voltage source is positioned substantially opposite an electrospray apparatus and an analytical apparatus so that the initial direction of travel of the electrospray is reversed and the electrospray is diverted into the analytical apparatus. A second time modulated voltage can be provided which causes the periodic deflection of an ion beam, resulting from a time modulated electrospray, into a mass analyzer in a vacuum system. The modulation of this second voltage source is coordinated with the time modulation of the first voltage source which causes the formation of an electrospray in such a manner that efficiency of sample introduction into the mass analyzer is improved.

Abstract: A system for forming a time modulated electrospray from a sample solution is provided. Further systems for analyzing this time modulated electrospray are provided. In a preferred such further system, a grid connected to a time modulated voltage source is provided between an electrospray apparatus and an analytical apparatus. More generally, a system for changing the energy of charged particles in a gas comprising the application of time modulated electric fields is provided.

Abstract: A housing is provided for converting an electrospray into a desolvated ion stream for analysis. The housing is positioned between an electrospray device and an ion stream analytical device. The housing is heated and includes a passageway within which a moving electrospray is converted to the ion stream.