Before a sample is introduced into a liquid sample delivery device, an ion source device receives aqueous mobile phase solution from the liquid sample delivery device and ionizes compounds of the aqueous mobile phase solution, producing an ion beam. A tandem mass spectrometer performs a first neutral loss scan of the ion beam with a first neutral loss value set to a molecular weight of a first known solvent, producing a first intensity, and performs a second neutral loss scan of the ion beam with a second neutral loss value set to a molecular weight of a second known solvent, producing a second intensity. A ratio of the first intensity to the second intensity is calculated. It is determined if the aqueous mobile phase solution is properly being delivered by the liquid sample delivery device based on the ratio.

An analysis system includes a degassing cell, at least one first valve, and at least one second valve. The at least one first valve is fluidly coupled with a top of the degassing cell, the at least one first valve configured selectably connect the degassing cell to a displacement gas flow and to a vacuum source. The at least one second valve is fluidly connected with a lateral side of the degassing cell and separately fluidly connected with a bottom of the degassing cell. The at least one second valve is selectably coupled with any of a source of a sample-carrying fluid, a transfer line configured to deliver a sample to an analysis device, or a waste output.

The present invention generally pertains to methods of characterizing at least one protein of interest in a biological sample. In particular, the present invention pertains to the use of automated iterative tandem mass spectrometry (AIMS) to identify, quantify and characterize at least one protein of interest and/or biomarker from a biological sample such as plasma.

A mass spectrometer includes: a probe having an electric conductivity; a probe moving unit configured to move the probe; a high voltage application unit configured to apply a high voltage to the probe located at an ion generation position where the tip of the probe is apart from the sample, so as to generate an ion from the sample adhered to the probe, the ion originating from a component in the sample; and a sample holding unit that includes a sample holder having a plurality of concave portions, each configured to hold the sample, and a base configured to hold the sample holder in a removable manner, the base including a mechanical element configured to move the sample holder in order to sequentially move each of the plurality of concave portions of the sample holder to the sample collection position.

A method for analyzing single cells by mass spectrometry includes the steps of providing a plurality of cells in a liquid medium and placing the cells and liquid medium in a single cell isolation and ejection system. Liquid medium containing a single cell is released from the single cell isolation and ejection system. The liquid medium and single cell are captured in a capture probe containing a flowing capture probe solvent. The cell is lysed by a lysis inducer in the capture probe to disperse single cell components into the medium. The lysed single cell components are transported to a mass spectrometer, where the lysed single cell components entering the mass spectrometer are spatially and temporally separated from any dispersed components of another single cell from the sample entering the mass spectrometer. Mass spectrometry is conducted on the lysed single-cell components. A system for analyzing single cells by mass spectrometry is also disclosed.

A device and method is described for analysing the elemental composition of a liquid sample utilizing a combination of electrochemical pre-concentration followed by spectrochemical analysis of analytes in a single device. The device consists of two electrodes for the purpose of pre-concentration of the analyte ions by electrodeposition, a DC power supply/potentiostat/galvanostat, a high voltage power supply capable of creating an electrical discharge such as arc, spark, glow discharge or plasma, a spectrometer capable of recording a spectrum generated during such discharges as well as a pump(s) for pumping the analyte containing solution. Such a device is autonomous, field-deployable and capable of providing online analysis.

The invention generally relates to ion generation using modified wetted porous materials. In certain aspects, the invention generally relates to systems and methods for ion generation using a wetted porous substrate that substantially prevents diffusion of sample into the substrate. In other aspects, the invention generally relate to ion generation using a wetted porous material and a drying agent. In other aspects, the invention generally relates to ion generation using a modified wetted porous substrate in which at least a portion of the porous substrate includes a material that modifies an interaction between a sample and the substrate.

Bubble plasma ionisation probe for analysing liquids by mass spectrometry. A means of a detecting analytes dissolved in a liquid by mass spectrometry is described. Gas flows from a source through a first conduit 105 and thereafter through a coaxial second conduit 103 that also serves as the inlet to the mass spectrometer 102. The coaxial arrangement of conduits is submerged in the liquid to be analysed 301. Using a feedback loop, the gas pressure is adjusted and controlled such that an attached bubble 302 forms at the open end of the first conduit 105. A plasma 305 is provided in the bubble. The plasma is preferably generated by a dielectric barrier discharge between a collar electrode 107 and mass spectrometer inlet 103. Analytes dissolved in the liquid are both desorbed form the gas-liquid interface and ionised by the action of the plasma. Ions formed in this way become entrained in the gas flow and are consequently transferred to the mass spectrometer, where they are analysed.

The invention generally relates to electrophoretic mass spectrometry probes and systems and methods of uses thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a mass spectrometry probe having a hollow body with a distal tip, an electrically conductive hollow conduit, and an electrode. The electrically conductive hollow conduit may be operably coupled to a reservoir and a power source, and the electrically conductive hollow conduit may be configured to transport a liquid sample into the hollow body and polarize the liquid sample as it flows through the electrically conductive hollow conduit and into in the hollow body. The electrode and the electrically conductive hollow conduit are disposed within the hollow body (e.g., at different heights within the hollow body).

Provided are methods for determining the amount of estradiol in a sample using mass spectrometry. The methods generally involve ionizing estradiol in a sample and detecting and quantifying the amount of the ion to determine the amount of estradiol in the sample.