A method for the identification and localization of small molecule species in a histologic thin tissue section comprises the steps of: a) acquiring a mass/mobility image of the tissue section and generating a mass/mobility map of the small molecule species of interest for each pixel of the image; b) providing a second sample of the same tissue and extracting the small molecules of interest, separating them, and acquiring mass and ion mobility spectra from the separated small molecules; c) identifying the small molecules of interest using corresponding reference databases; and d) assigning identified small molecules to entries in the mass/mobility maps of the first tissue section by comparison of ion masses and mobilities of the identified species to those of the second thin tissue section.

A gas analyzer and a method for performing mass spectrometry analysis includes a membrane configured to receive an input flow of carrier gas. The membrane defines a variable thickness region between first and second positions along an input face of the membrane and separates the analyte sample into an output flow of analyte molecules. A mass spectrometer is disposed downstream of the membrane and includes an input orifice for receiving the output flow. The mass spectrometer is configured to perform a response profile analysis of the analyte molecules in the sample analyte.

The invention relates to a system for aligning the firing of a laser-ablation apparatus to a signal or property of an inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometer apparatus. At least one kind of input unit that receives timing data from the mass-spectrometer and isolates the system. A processor configured to translate the mass cycle of the mass-spectrometer into a series of triggering signals to fire the laser. A delay circuit to retard the triggering signals by a specified duration. At least one kind of signal output unit to deliver a triggering signal to the laser. A method for configuring a system for controlling a laser in laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry as above. A computer program product for controlling a laser in laser-ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry as above.

Disclosed are embodiments directed to a multi-ion identification device, a system and method using the same to utilize chemical ionization in multiple adduct formation from the substances in the sampled gas of a gas sample being addressed to be analyzed in a mass analyzer. The multi-ion identification device includes a buffering region to have the sample flow turbulence decayed before the sample flow entrance to the ionization region)) utilizing chemical ionization by reagents from an ensemble of reagent ion towers.

Each sample of a series of samples is ejected at an ejection time and according to a sample order. Each ejected sample of the series is ionized, producing ion beam. A list of different sets of MRM transitions is received. Each set of the list corresponds to a different sample. A group of one or more different sets is selected from the list. Initially, each set selected for the group corresponds to a different sample of one or more first samples of the series. A mass spectrometer is instructed to execute each transition of each set of the group on the ion beam until a transition of a set of the group is detected, upon which, one or more next sets are selected from the list to be monitored using the set of the detected transition and the sample order.

The present invention addresses ways to facilitate the detection and analysis of ion abundance, in particular for analysis of elemental ions, and in particular embodiments for isotope ratio analysis, by use of collision cells that employ an axial drag field, i.e. an axial electric field that exerts a drag force on ions within the cell. By means of the invention, the drag field allows an increase in the transmission in the case of Li from a few % up to almost 100%. The drag field is generated by electric fields and can be switched on and off within microsecond (μs) timescales and thus improves the sensitivity for the lighter elements dramatically. The invention allows use of collision cells for analysis of elemental ions in a simple and fast workflow with high throughput and without compromising transmission.

A method for cleaning a first electrospray emitter of a mass spectrometer comprises: changing an operating mode of the first electrospray emitter from a stable jet mode of operation to a dripping or pulsating mode of operation by lowering a magnitude of a voltage applied between a counter electrode and the first electrospray emitter, |V.sub.1|; moving the first electrospray emitter from a first emitter position from which electrospray ions are delivered to a mass spectrometer inlet to a second emitter position and, simultaneously, moving a second electrospray emitter from a third emitter position to a fourth emitter position; causing a cleaning solvent to flow through the first electrospray emitter at least until a droplet of the cleaning solvent forms on an exterior surface of the first electrospray emitter while operating the electrospray emitter in the dripping mode of operation; and causing the droplet to dislodge from the emitter exterior.

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a) providing temporally separated precursor ions; b) mass analyzing separated precursor ions, and/or product ions derived therefrom, during a plurality of sequential acquisition periods, wherein the value of an operational parameter of the spectrometer is varied during the different acquisition periods; c) storing the spectral data obtained in each acquisition period along with its respective value of the operational parameter; d) interrogating the stored spectral data and determining which of the spectral data for a precursor ion or product ions meets a predetermined criterion, and determining the value of the operational parameter that provides this mass spectral data as a target operational parameter value; and e) mass analyzing again the precursor or product ions whilst the operational parameter is set to the target operational parameter value.

The present invention discloses a method for rapid on-site detection of fentanyl analogs using a miniature mass spectrometer, comprising the following steps: (1) selecting a spotting plate; (2) loading a sample: depositing the sample and 3-nitrobenzonitrile solution in acetonitrile on the spotting plate to form a crystalline mixture; (3) carrying out analysis and detection: setting the parameters of the miniature mass spectrometer, placing the crystalline mixture on the spotting plate in close proximity to the inlet of the miniature mass spectrometer, and facilitating the ionization of the crystalline mixture for the analysis and detection of fentanyl analogs. The method for rapid on-site detection of fentanyl analogs using a miniature mass spectrometer provided by the present invention requires no extraction solvent, no voltage, no laser, no gas, and the method is simple, rapid, and suitable for rapid on-site detection of fentanyl analogs.

The invention generally relates to methods and devices for synchronization of ion generation with cycling of a discontinuous atmospheric interface. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes a mass spectrometry probe that generates sample ions, a discontinuous atmospheric interface, and a mass analyzer, in which the system is configured such that ion formation is synchronized with cycling of the discontinuous atmospheric interface.