This mass spectrometric device is provided with a sample container (8) for placing a measurement sample (12) therein, a detector (9) analyzing the mass of a sample and detecting a drug, or the like, in the sample, a dielectric container (3) linked to the sample container for running a discharge current into air to provoke ionization, a valve (2) for sending air intermittently to the sample container, the dielectric container and the detector, a barrier discharge high-voltage power source (6) to be discharged by the dielectric container, a current detection unit (5) connected to the barrier discharge high-voltage power source for detecting a discharge current (28), a discharge-start timing detection unit (7) connected to the current detection unit for detecting the discharge-start timing based on the current detection result from the current detection unit to send a discharge-start timing signal (17), and a control unit (11) for controlling each constituent.

A sample support body is a sample support body for ionizing a sample, including: a substrate having an irregular porous structure formed to communicate a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other; and a conductive layer provided at least on the first surface.

The invention generally relates to high-throughput label-free enzymatic bioassays using desorption electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (DESI-MS).

Methods and devices for pretreatment of a conducting sampling substrate which enable an electrostatic charge to be used to transfer analyte molecules onto a sampling substrate, where the analyte molecules are in powder or particulate form. In an embodiment of the present invention, the electrostatic charge can be used to transfer powder samples containing nitrogenous bases, nucleosides, food additives, and prescription drugs such as acetaminophen, oxycodone, and dextromethorphan. In an embodiment of the present invention, a powder sample is transferred to a pre-treated sampling substrate using an electrostatic charge. The spatial distribution of the powder on the original surface is retained on the pre-treated sampling substrate using the electrostatic charge transfer. The electrostatic charge transfer can be used to transfer powder samples present on a surface or in the chambers of 96, 384 and 1536 well plate formats to either pins or mesh and analyzed with ambient desorption ionization.

A method of ion imaging is disclosed that includes automatically sampling a plurality of different locations on a sample using a front device which is arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from the sample. Mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data corresponding to each location is obtained and the obtained mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data is used to construct, train or improved a sample classification model.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A device for providing analyte to an analyzer is described. In some examples, the device comprises a substrate comprising a plurality of wells formed therein at predetermined locations. Each of the wells can be capable of containing an analyte without mixing with analytes in other of the wells. Each of the wells can also have a well exit to allow analyte to exit therefrom. A channel can be in flow communication with at least one of the well exits, and can guide analyte ions exiting therefrom to the mass analyzer. The wells may be filled prior to use in association with the mass analyzer. The substrate may be used as part of a fraction collector if desired.

Disclosed herein are methods and apparatus useful for the collection, preservation, and analysis of biological fluids. In some embodiments, a hydrophobic thread is contacted with a biological sample. The hydrophobic thread stabilizes the biological sample over prolonged periods of time. Compounds, including small molecules and/or biopolymers, can be ionized by applying a suitable voltage to the tread. These ionized compounds can then be analyzed, for instance using mass spectrometry.

An ionization method includes: a first process of preparing a sample support body including an electrically insulating substrate having a first surface, a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of through-holes opening on each of the first surface and the second surface and an electrically insulating frame attached to the substrate; a second process of mounting a sample on a mount surface of a mount portion and mounting the sample support body on the mount surface so that the second surface is in contact with the sample; and a third process of ionizing components of the sample that have moved to the first surface side via the plurality of through-holes by irradiating the first surface with charged-droplets and sucking the ionized components.

A sample support body is a sample support body for ionization of a sample, including: a substrate having a first surface, a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of through-holes opening on each of the first surface and the second surface; and a frame attached to the substrate, in which a thermal conductivity of the frame is 1.0 W/m.Math.K or less.