The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

A low power mass spectrometer assembly includes at least an ionization component, an electrostatic analyzer, a lens assembly, a magnet assembly and at least one detector located in a same plane as the entrance to the magnet assembly for detecting the deflected sample ions and/or fragments of sample ions, including ions or ion fragments indicative of the Vitamin D metabolite within the sample.

A low power mass spectrometer assembly includes at least an ionization component, an electrostatic analyzer, a lens assembly, a magnet assembly and at least one detector located in a same plane as the entrance to the magnet assembly for detecting the deflected sample ions and/or fragments of sample ions, including ions or ion fragments indicative of the Vitamin D metabolite within the sample.

The disclosure features mass spectrometry systems that include: an ion source; a module featuring an ion trap, an ion detector, and a module housing that at least partially surrounds the ion trap and the ion detector; and a vacuum pump featuring a housing having a recess dimensioned to receive the module, so that when the module is positioned within the recess of the vacuum pump housing, a portion of the module is surrounded by the vacuum pump housing, and during operation of the system, the ion source, ion trap, ion detector, and vacuum pump are connected along a common gas flow path and heat is transferred from the vacuum pump to the module.

The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

A portable ion mobility spectrometry apparatus (1) for detecting an aerosol and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (3); a portable power source (5) carried by the apparatus for providing power to the apparatus (1); an inlet (7) for collecting a flow of air to be tested by the spectrometer (3); a heater (4) configured to heat the air to be tested to vaporize an aerosol carried by the air and a controller (2) configured to control the spectrometer (3) to obtain samples from the heated air, wherein the controller is configured to increase a heat output from the heater (4) for a selected time period before obtaining samples from the heated air.

A portable ion mobility spectrometry apparatus (1) for detecting an aerosol and a method for using the apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ion mobility spectrometer (3); a portable power source (5) carried by the apparatus for providing power to the apparatus (1); an inlet (7) for collecting a flow of air to be tested by the spectrometer (3); a heater (4) configured to heat the air to be tested to vapourise an aerosol carried by the air and a controller (2) configured to control the spectrometer (3) to obtain samples from the heated air, wherein the controller is configured to increase a heat output from the heater (4) for a selected time period before obtaining samples from the heated air.

The invention generally relates to enclosed desorption electrospray ionization probes, systems, and methods. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a source of DESI-active spray, in which a distal portion of the source is enclosed within a transfer member such that the DESI-active spray is produced within the transfer member.

A start-up routine for a mass spectrometer is performed automatically upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer comprises a plurality of functional modules connected thereto, each module operable to perform a predetermined function of the mass spectrometer in use. The start-up routine comprises detecting which functional modules are present in the set of a plurality of functional modules connected to the mass spectrometer, and performing one or more steps of the start-up routine based upon the results of the detection. The mass spectrometer automatically determines whether configuration information is stored locally in respect of each one of the detected functional modules, and, for the or each one of the detected functional modules for which such information is found to be stored locally, automatically uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer, and, for any detected functional module(s) for which such information is not found to be stored locally, automatically obtains configuration information for the detected functional module(s) from a remote server, and uses the information in configuring the mass spectrometer.