A method of calibrating or optimising an analytical instrument is disclosed that comprises analysing analyte from a sample using an analytical instrument, determining a sample type of the sample based on analysis of analyte from the sample, identifying one or more species of the analyte that are known to be endogenous to the determined sample type, and calibrating or optimising the analytical instrument using the one or more identified endogenous species.

A region of interest setting unit (41) determines a two-dimensional region of interest on a sample and a plurality of measurement points (small areas) within this region of interest according to a user's specification. A measurement area setting unit (42) sets, near the measurement points within the region of interest, measurement points that do not completely overlap with the measurement points, and sets a measurement area including the plurality of different measurement points. When the user individually sets measurement methods for the region of interest and the measurement area via an input unit (5), a measurement method assignment unit (44) assigns the measurement methods respectively to the regions and records the assignment. An analysis controller (3) executes mass analysis, according to the assigned measurement method, to each of the measurement points within the region of interest and the measurement area, and stores data in a data storage (21).

Under the control of an analysis control unit (5), a mass spectrometer unit (2) performs a product-ion scan measurement for a target component in a target sample within a time range where the component is introduced. It also performs a scan measurement over an m/z range including the m/z of an ion originating from a standard component within the same segment of time. A mass correction information calculator (42) calculates mass correction information from measured and theoretical values of the m/z of the ion originating from the standard component observed on an MS spectrum obtained by the scan measurement. Using the mass correction information, a mass corrector (43) corrects the m/z of each ion peak originating from the target component observed on an MS/MS spectrum obtained by the product-ion scan measurement performed within the same cycle as the scan measurement concerned. It is possible to consider that the MS measurement and the MS/MS measurement within the same cycle have been almost simultaneously carried out. Accordingly, a mass correction which is almost equivalent to an internal standard method can be achieved.

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising separating ions temporally in a first device 5 and analysing the mass or mass to charge ratio of the ions or of product or fragment ions derived from the ions in a mass or mass to charge ratio analyser 8 disposed downstream of the first device 5. The method further comprises obtaining a first set of drift times for the ions through the first device 5 by measuring ion arrival times and determining the transit time of the ions and/or of the product or fragment ions through one or more intermediate regions or devices 6, 7 disposed between the first device 5 and the mass to charge ratio analyser 8. The method further comprises obtaining a second set of drift times for the ions through the first device 5 by correcting the first set of drift times to account for the determined transit times.

A disease diagnostic system where a sample preparation unit and/or a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MALDI-TOF MS) data generation unit may be integrated in one system or a set of a system to improve the user-friendliness of the system. The system may include a sample preparation unit with processing modules and/or a handler to move samples in an autonomous manner to enhance reproducibility of measurement data and/or user-friendliness. A different set of processing modules may be selected for a particular disease type (e.g. such as cancer) to be diagnosed. The system may be used to identify biomaterials such as bacteria, virus, and fungi from body fluids like blood, urine, and saliva and other cells.

The present invention provides a novel partial-pressure mass spectrometer calibration device, which is mainly composed of a fine adjustment valve, a piston pressure gauge, a sample preparation chamber, a plurality of high-purity gas cylinders, a capacitive film vacuum gauge, a first-stage sample inlet chamber, a second-stage sample inlet chamber, sampling chambers, a small hole, a calibration chamber, a separation gauge and air pumping systems, wherein the sample preparation chamber is connected with the piston pressure gauge and the capacitive film vacuum gauge; the sample preparation chamber is also connected with the plurality of high-purity gas cylinders which are connected in parallel via the fine adjustment valve; a plurality of sampling chambers with different volumes are connected in parallel between the sample preparation chamber and the first-stage sample inlet chamber; a plurality of sampling chambers with different volumes are connected in parallel between the first-stage sample inlet chamber and the second-stage sample inlet chamber; the second-stage sample inlet chamber is sequentially connected with the small hole and the calibration chamber in series; the calibration chamber is connected with a to-be-calibrated partial-pressure mass spectrometer and the separation gauge; and the sample preparation chamber, the first-stage sample inlet chamber, the second-stage sample inlet chamber and the calibration chamber are connected with the air pumping systems. According to the present invention, an actually required mixed gas can be prepared according to customer requirements. In addition, it can be ensured that a gas does not change in the calibration process.

Certain embodiments described herein are directed to detectors and systems using them. In some examples, the detector can include a plurality of dynodes, in which one or more of the dynodes are coupled to an electrometer. In some instances, an analog signal from a non-saturated dynode is measured and cross-calibrated with a pulse count signal to extend the dynamic range of the detector.

The invention relates to a new type of element encoded particles suitable for the attachment of bio molecules to enable massively multiplex bio-analytical methods, and to calibrate and tune the elemental flow cytometer mass spectrometer (FC-MS).

The present disclosure provides a method and system for analysing one or more edible oil samples. In an embodiment the disclosure provides for calibrating the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) data obtained for one or more edible oil samples to obtain calibrated spectral data; and comparing the calibrated spectral data derived from the one or more samples against a library of calibrated MALDI-MS spectra for a plurality of edible oil samples to determine the most likely composition of the one or more edible oil samples.

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide an automatic calibration device for an ion migration spectrometer and an ion migration spectrometer. The automatic calibration device includes: a reservoir configured to store liquid calibration sample therein; and an automatic transfer portion communicated with the reservoir and configured to transfer the liquid calibration sample in the reservoir.