The invention generally relates to ion traps that operate by applying an inverse Mathieu q scan. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems that include a mass spectrometer having an ion trap and a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU includes storage coupled to the CPU for storing instructions that when executed by the CPU cause the system to apply an inverse Mathieu q scan to the ion trap.

A portable, stand-alone microfluidic interrogation device including a microprocessor and a touch-screen display. The touch-screen display can receive one or more user input to select a particular particle interrogation procedure, and subsequently show interrogation results. A microfluidic path extending through the interrogation device includes alignment structure that defines an interrogation zone in which particles carried in a fluid are urged toward single-file travel. Operable alignment structure may define sheath-, or non-sheath fluid flow. Desirably, a portion of the alignment structure is removable from the device in a tool-free procedure. The device may operate under the Coulter principle, and/or detect Stokes' shift phenomena, and/or other optically-based signal(s).

Mobility analyzer comprising a first electrode and a second electrode, one of said electrodes being grounded and the other of said electrodes being connectable to a high-voltage source, which analyzer further comprises an aerosol inlet and a sheath flow outlet as well as at least one sample flow channel with a sample inlet and a sample outlet, wherein the electrodes are embodied in a plastic material provided with an electrically conductive coating.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for continuous or batch wise sampling of a surface for analysis of trace chemical constituents that may be present on the surface by mass spectrometry. Integration of time and place of the sampling and analysis processes allows real-time on-the-spot response to the analytical data and can take into account that material is not necessarily uniformly distributed on a surface. A further feature of the systems and methods of the invention is that the swabbing process also cleans the surface being analyzed. Accordingly, systems and methods of the invention provide an integrated approach that allows for a surface to be cleaned, sampled and analyzed in real-time, providing a faster and more efficient way to verify or validate whether a manufacturing vessel is sufficiently clean to start another production.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry that includes producing ions from a sample in a proximity of the sample, transferring the produced ions from the sample to a distance with a flexible or re-configurable ion guide, the flexible or re-configurable ion guide being connected to RF voltages, and separating the produced ions with a mass to charge or mobility analyzer located at the distance to provide spectrometric results; and detecting the separated ions with at least one detector.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for separating ions at about or above atmospheric pressure. In certain embodiments, the invention provides systems that include an ionization source that generates ions and an ion trap. The ion trap is maintained at about or above atmospheric pressure and includes a plurality of electrodes and at least one inlet configured to receive a gas flow and at least one outlet. The system is configured such that a combination of a gas flow and one or more electric fields produced by the electrodes separates the ions based on mass-to-charge ratio and sends the separated ions through the at least one outlet of the ion trap.

Devices, methods, computer-readable media, and systems for determining an identity of a food are disclosed. For example, a method may receive at least one property of at least one component in a sample of a food from an intra-oral device including a spectrometer, the at least one property obtained via the spectrometer, compares the at least one property to a plurality of food signatures, and determines the identity of the food based upon the comparing. In another example, a system may include an intra-oral device and a wireless device. The intra-oral device may include a spectrometer for measuring at least one property of at least one component in a sample of a food. The wireless device may include a processor for receiving the at least one property, comparing the at least one property to a plurality of food signatures, and determining the identity of the food based upon the comparing.

The invention generally relates to systems and methods for ejection of ions from an ion trap. In certain embodiments, systems and methods of the invention sum two different frequency signals into a single summed signal that is applied to an ion trap. In other embodiments, an amplitude of a single frequency signal is modulated as the single frequency signal is being applied to the ion trap. In other embodiments, a first alternating current (AC) signal is applied to an ion trap that varies as a function of time, while a constant radio frequency (RF) signal is applied to the ion trap.

The invention generally relates to zero volt mass spectrometry probes and systems. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system including a mass spectrometry probe including a porous material, and a mass spectrometer (bench-top or miniature mass spectrometer). The system operates without an application of voltage to the probe. In certain embodiments, the probe is oriented such that a distal end faces an inlet of the mass spectrometer. In other embodiments, the distal end of the probe is 5 mm or less from an inlet of the mass spectrometer.

The invention generally relates to sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample. The system additionally includes an ion separator configured to separate at or above atmospheric pressure the ions received from the ion generator without use of laminar flowing gas, and a detector that receives and detects the separated ions.