Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of an electrode within a nebulizer probe of a mass spectrometry device having an open port interface for receiving a sample includes performing a first analysis of the sample at a first analysis condition including a first position of the electrode and a first flow rate. After performing the first analysis, a second analysis of the sample is performed at a second analysis condition including the first position of the electrode and a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate. Thereafter, a third analysis of the sample is performed at a third analysis condition including a second position of the electrode and the second flow rate.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of a tip of an electrode relative to an end of a nebulizer nozzle of a mass spectrometry device includes providing a conduit and the electrode connected to the conduit at a first end of the conduit. The electrode tip is disposed at a first position relative to the nebulizer nozzle end. The pressure gauge is connected to a second end of the conduit. A gas ejection is initiated from the nozzle with the electrode tip at the first position. During the gas ejection, the position of the electrode tip is adjusted from the first position towards a second position relative to the nozzle end. Adjusting the position from the first position towards the second position is terminated when the pressure gauge displays a pressure condition. Once adjusting is terminated, the electrode tip is at the second position.

Abstract: A method of evacuating a liquid sample from an open port interface (OPI) via a pressure drop includes applying the pressure drop to a transport liquid. This application generates a plurality of bubbles in the transport liquid during evacuation of the transport liquid from the OPI via a transfer conduit. The liquid sample is separated from a subsequent liquid sample by at least one of the generated bubbles.

Abstract: A trace of intensity versus time values is received for a series of samples produced by a mass spectrometer. Also, a series of ejections times corresponding to the series of samples produced by a sample introduction system is received. A series of expected peak times corresponding to the series of ejection times are calculated using a known delay time from ejection to mass analysis. At least one isolated peak of the trace is identified using the series of expected peak times. A peak profile is calculated by fitting a mixture of at least two different distribution functions to the at least one isolated peak. For at least one time of the series of expected peak times, an area of a peak at the one time is calculated by fitting the peak profile to the trace at the one time and calculating an area of the fitted peak profile.

Abstract: An ion source assembly for use in a mass spectrometry system comprises a housing defining an ionization chamber disposed in fluid communication with a sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer system. The housing defines a first opening for coupling to a first electrospray probe to discharge a liquid sample at flow rates greater than a nanoflow range along a longitudinal axis that is substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the sampling orifice. An elongate auxiliary electrode assembly extends from the housing to an electrically conductive distal end disposed in the ionization chamber such that the electrically conductive distal end is disposed substantially on the central axis of the sampling orifice. The electrically conductive distal end may be coupled to a power supply to generate an electric field to improve the desolvation of the sample plume and the transport of ions ejected from the sample plume into the sampling orifice.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method of positioning an open end of an open port interface (OPI) relative to a sample surface to be analyzed by mass spectrometry is disclosed. The OPI includes a liquid delivery conduit for delivering a liquid to the open end of the OPI and a liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the open end of the OPI. The method includes establishing a fluid flow along a path extending from the liquid delivery conduit to the open end of the OPI, monitoring fluid pressure at one or more locations along the fluid flow path and adjusting a position of the open end of the OPI relative to the sample surface based on the monitored fluid pressure. The fluid can be a gas or a liquid. Further, the sample surface can be a liquid surface or a solid surface.

Abstract: A method of ejecting a sample from a nebulizer nozzle fluidically coupled to a port via a transfer conduit includes receiving at the port a transport liquid and the sample. The transport liquid and the sample in the transfer conduit is transported from the port to a transfer conduit exit comprising an electrode tip. The transport liquid is ejected from the transfer conduit exit. The sample is ejected from the transfer conduit exit substantially simultaneously with ejecting the transport liquid. During ejection of the transport liquid and the sample from the transfer conduit exit, a pressure is generated at the transfer conduit exit substantially similar to a vapor pressure of the transport liquid.

Abstract: A liquid handling system for a mass spectrometer (MS), the liquid handling system including an open port interface (OPI) including a body defining a port and an internal volume. At least one removal conduit is disposed in the body and fluidically coupled to the internal volume. A plurality of transfer conduits is fluidically coupled to the at least one removal conduit. A single one of a plurality of nebulizer nozzles are fluidically coupled to each of the plurality of transfer conduits.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for timed introduction of samples into a mass spectrometer may include receiving a plurality of sample ion pulses in a mass spectrometer from a sampling interface, where the sample ion pulses are received at a pre-determined time pattern; detecting the received sample ion pulses to generate a signal; isolating an analyte signal by signal conditioning the generated signal based on the pre-determined time pattern; and identifying a presence of an analyte based on the isolated analyte signal. The signal conditioning may include pulse-based averaging based on the pre-determined time pattern or may include converting the generated signal to a frequency-domain signal and calculating a modulus to isolate the analyte signal. The pre-determined time pattern may be periodic where the signal conditioning comprises performing a Fourier Transform on the signal to convert it to a frequency-domain signal.

Abstract: A method of evacuating a liquid sample from an open port interface (OPI) via a pressure drop includes applying the pressure drop to a transport liquid. This application generates a plurality of bubbles in the transport liquid during evacuation of the transport liquid from the OPI via a transfer conduit. The liquid sample is separated from a subsequent liquid sample by at least one of the generated bubbles.

Abstract: A method of analyzing a liquid with a mass analysis device having a bubble generating interface (BGI) and a removal conduit includes aspirating a sample into the removal conduit at an aspira-tion pressure. Concurrently with aspirating the sample at least one operational condition of the BGI is controlled to generate a plurality of bubbles in the sample. Concurrently with aspirating the sample the plurality of bubbles are aspirated into the removal conduit. The sample and the plurality of bubbles are analyzed with the mass analysis device to generate a signal.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of an electrode within a nebulizer probe of a mass spectrometry device having an open port interface for receiving a sample includes performing a first analysis of the sample at a first analysis condition including a first position of the electrode and a first flow rate. After performing the first analysis, a second analysis of the sample is performed at a second analysis condition including the first position of the electrode and a second flow rate higher than the first flow rate. Thereafter, a third analysis of the sample is performed at a third analysis condition including a second position of the electrode and the second flow rate.

Abstract: A method of adjusting a position of a tip of an electrode relative to an end of a nebulizer nozzle of a mass spectrometry device includes providing a conduit and the electrode connected to the conduit at a first end of the conduit. The electrode tip is disposed at a first position relative to the nebulizer nozzle end. The pressure gauge is connected to a second end of the conduit. A gas ejection is initiated from the nozzle with the electrode tip at the first position. During the gas ejection, the position of the electrode tip is adjusted from the first position towards a second position relative to the nozzle end. Adjusting the position from the first position towards the second position is terminated when the pressure gauge displays a pressure condition. Once adjusting is terminated, the electrode tip is at the second position.

Abstract: A method of delivering transport fluid from an open port interface to an outlet via a transfer conduit includes delivering, to the open port interface, a transport liquid at a first flow rate. The open port interface is disposed in a pressure environment having a first pressure. A second pres-sure is applied at the outlet, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure. The pressure applied at the outlet generates a motive flow on the transport liquid, thereby drawing into the transfer conduit (a) the transport fluid, wherein the transport fluid is in contact with a wall of the transport conduit, and (b) a gas present in the pressure environment. The gas forms an air core within the drawn transport fluid. The air core extends substantially an entire length of the transfer conduit.

Abstract: An electrospray ionization emitter according to various aspects described herein can include an emitter body formed using fused silica. The emitter body can comprise a fluid conduit segment that includes a liquid connection end that has been coated with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) on at least one portion thereof. The liquid connection end can have a first outer diameter that is configured to be connected to a sample source to receive a sample liquid for ionization therefrom. The emitter body can further comprise an ionization discharge segment that is fluidly connected to the fluid conduit segment. The ionization discharge segment can have an ionization discharge end that is coated with a conductive material on at least one portion thereof and configured to have a second outer diameter that allows ionization of the liquid sample.

Abstract: Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, MS-based systems and methods are provided in which a specimen may be received within an open port of a sampling probe and continuously delivered via a jet pump assembly to an ion source for subsequent mass spectrometric analysis.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ion source for use in a mass spectrometry system is disclosed, which comprises a housing, a first and a second ion probe coupled to said housing, and a first and a second emitter configured for coupling, respectively, to said first and second ion probes. The first ion probe is configured for receiving a sample at a flow rate in nanoflow regime and the second ion probe is configured for receiving a sample at a flow rate above the nanoflow regime. Each of the ion probes includes a discharge end (herein also referred to as the discharge tip) for ionizing at least one constituent of the received sample. In some embodiment, each ion probe receives the sample from a liquid chromatography (LC) column. Further, the ion probes can be interchangeably disposed within the housing.

Abstract: A trace of intensity versus time values is received for a series of samples produced by a mass spectrometer. Also, a series of ejections times corresponding to the series of samples produced by a sample introduction system is received. A series of expected peak times corresponding to the series of ejection times are calculated using a known delay time from ejection to mass analysis. At least one isolated peak of the trace is identified using the series of expected peak times. A peak profile is calculated by fitting a mixture of at least two different distribution functions to the at least one isolated peak. For at least one time of the series of expected peak times, an area of a peak at the one time is calculated by fitting the peak profile to the trace at the one time and calculating an area of the fitted peak profile.

Abstract: In one aspect, an ion source for use in a mass spectrometry system is disclosed, which comprises a housing, a first and a second ion probe coupled to said housing, and a first and a second emitter configured for coupling, respectively, to said first and second ion probes. The first ion probe is configured for receiving a sample at a flow rate in nanoflow regime and the second ion probe is configured for receiving a sample at a flow rate above the nanoflow regime. Each of the ion probes includes a discharge end (herein also referred to as the discharge tip) for ionizing at least one constituent of the received sample. In some embodiment, each ion probe receives the sample from a liquid chromatography (LC) column. Further, the ion probes can be interchangeably disposed within the housing.

Abstract: An ion source assembly for use in a mass spectrometry system comprises a housing defining an ionization chamber disposed in fluid communication with a sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer system. The housing defines a first opening for coupling to a first electrospray probe to discharge a liquid sample at flow rates greater than a nanoflow range along a longitudinal axis that is substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the sampling orifice. An elongate auxiliary electrode assembly extends from the housing to an electrically conductive distal end disposed in the ionization chamber such that the electrically conductive distal end is disposed substantially on the central axis of the sampling orifice. The electrically conductive distal end may be coupled to a power supply to generate an electric field to improve the desolvation of the sample plume and the transport of ions ejected from the sample plume into the sampling orifice.