A use of an anthranilic acid derivative as a matrix for a MALDI Mass spectrometry, comprising: preparing a matrix compound represented by the following formula: ##STR00001## wherein X is selected from hydrogen and a hydroxyl group, and Y is selected from hydrogen, a methyl group or an acetyl group, provided that when X is hydrogen, Y is hydrogen or an acetyl group, and when X is a hydroxyl group, Y is a methyl group; applying the matrix compound and an analyte onto a sample holder; and analyzing the analyte by the MALDI mass spectrometer.

An electrospray generator includes a first electrode, a reservoir of liquid adjacent the first electrode, at least one wick having one end in the reservoir in contact with the liquid, a second electrode spaced a distance away from the wick, and a power source connected to one or more of the first and second electrodes. A method of generating a spray including inserting first ends of one or more wicks into a reservoir of liquid, the reservoir having a base electrode adjacent the liquid, positioning one or more offset electrodes at distance from second ends of the one or more wicks, and applying a voltage to at least one of the base electrode and the one or more offset electrodes to create an electric field, the electric field causing the liquid to move through the one or more wicks and form droplets in a spray.

Disclosed herein is a method for multimodal imaging during a medical procedure using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and Raman optical imaging which involves administering an MRI imaging contrast agent that a chemical structure having charge-transfer electronic transitions. The tissue is imaged using and MRI device and the tissue is illuminated with excitation light that has spectral components that are approximately tuned close to one of the charge-transfer electronic transitions thereby producing enhanced Raman optical signals which are analyzed to produce Raman imaging data followed by registering the MRI and Raman imaging data. The present disclosure also provides a method for ionizing laser plumes through atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.

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.

A system for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. The device for supplying sample material to the probe can be a device for radiating energy to the surface to eject sample from the sample material. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, which exceeds the first volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid. The probe can produce a vortex of liquid in the liquid exhaust conduit. A method for sampling a surface and a sampling probe system are also disclosed.

Devices and methods for characterization of analyte mixtures are provided. Some methods described herein include performing enrichment steps on a device before expelling enriched analyte fractions from the device for subsequent analysis. Also included are devices for performing these enrichment steps.

An ion source assembly for use in a mass spectrometry system comprises a housing defining an ionization chamber disposed in fluid communication with a sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer system. The housing defines a first opening for coupling to a first electrospray probe to discharge a liquid sample at flow rates greater than a nanoflow range along a longitudinal axis that is substantially orthogonal to a central axis of the sampling orifice. An elongate auxiliary electrode assembly extends from the housing to an electrically conductive distal end disposed in the ionization chamber such that the electrically conductive distal end is disposed substantially on the central axis of the sampling orifice. The electrically conductive distal end may be coupled to a power supply to generate an electric field to improve the desolvation of the sample plume and the transport of ions ejected from the sample plume into the sampling orifice.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The method comprises: using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target comprising or consisting of a microbial population; mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and analysing said spectrometric data in order to analyse said microbial population.

Systems and methods are disclosed for utilizing an ion mobility cell to improve desolvation prior to interaction with a hydrogen-deuterium exchange reagent, thereby improving the accuracy of the HDX data generated by MS and reducing the effects of conformational changes that can occur with increased temperatures.