Methods and apparatus are provided for cleaning or exchanging medical devices. Certain embodiments may include a cassette comprising a plurality of medical devices, where the orientation of the cassette can be changed while the cassette is coupled to a processing instrument.

The present invention relates to the field of mass and/or ion mobility spectrometers. Provided is an ionization device and a mass spectrometer and an ion mobility spectrometer having same. Further provided is an ionization method. A sampling probe of the ionization device of the present invention is able to actively and rapidly collect samples, while a sampling device and a thermal desorption device are combined into one, simplifying and compacting the sampling device. An ionization part is provided downstream of the sampling and desorption part, ensuring that the sampling probe will not interfere with a flow field or an electric field between the ionization part and the analysis assembly inlet, thus ensuring repeatability of the device signal and flexibility of analysis.

Systems and methods to provide rapid and autonomous detection of biological and chemical analyte particles in gas and liquid samples. Systems and methods for capturing and identifying biological and chemical aerosol analyte particles using matrix assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) and using time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) are disclosed. High specificity for capture and detection of aerosolized fentanyl was demonstrated using a portable sample capture and analysis system.

The invention generally relates to systems including nanoelectrospray ionization emitters in a movable array format in which the emitters can be loaded, singly or simultaneously, through their narrow ends using a novel dip and go method based on capillary action, taking up sample from an array. The sample solutions in each emitter can be electrophoretically cleaned, singly or simultaneously, by creating an inductive electric field that moves interfering ions away from the narrow end of the capillary. Subsequent to cleaning, the emitters are supplied with an inductive electric field that causes electrospray into a mass spectrometer allowing mass analysis of the contents of the emitter.

An apparatus for monitoring a surgical procedure includes a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer comprising a load lock, an ionization chamber, and an ion detector. A first video camera produces an optical image of an operating field of the surgical procedure. A sample extracting device extracts the tissue sample at the location within the optical image of the operating field. A sample preparation system prepares MALID-TOF samples by depositing an extract of the extracted tissue sample on a sample plate together with a MALDI matrix. A sample plate loading mechanism loads the sample plate into the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer. A second video camera produces an optical image of the sample plate and records a location of the extracted tissue sample. A computer records the images from first and second video cameras, correlates the location of the tissue sample in the operating field with the location of the tissue sample on the sample plate, acquires mass spectra data from the MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, and compares the mass spectrum data to known mass spectrum data.

An autosampler for obtaining mass spectra from a plurality of fluid samples, in particular gaseous samples including a plurality of containers including sample sources providing the samples, wherein each one of the containers provides a docking port for being connected with a connector for enabling access to an inside of the respective container via the connector in order to obtain the respective sample from the respective container via said connector. The autosampler further includes an ionisation source for ionising at least a part of the samples, and a mass analyser for obtaining the mass spectra from the ions. The ionisation source is moveable within the autosampler sequentially to each of the containers for connecting the connector to the docking port of the respective container for collecting the sample from the respective container for ionising at least a part of the sample and obtaining the mass spectra from the ions.

A sample feed device is provided, including: a body; a sample tray provided on the body; a moving part provided on the body and capable of reciprocating on the body, and the moving part provided with a transfer chamber, the transfer chamber capable of receiving a sample from the sample tray and transferring the sample to an analyzer with the movement of the moving part; a processing system provided on the body, and capable of performing helium gas purging and vacuum processing to the sample. The sample feed device may feed the sample automatically through relay transfer of the sample by the sample tray and the moving part. The processing system may perform the helium gas purging and vacuuming to the sample, which strips adsorbate on the surface of the sample by the helium gas purging, and removes the stripped adsorbate on the surface of the sample by vacuuming.

An analyzer and sample handling system suitable for retrieving and processing a sample housed within a suitably configured reaction vessel, and then discarding the used reaction vessel by vertically or axially pushing downward on the vessel supported in a suitably configured tray with a pressing member that forms part of an autosampler assembly are disclosed herein.

Methods for preparing a biological sample for testing by Maldi where such methods are selected based on sample parameters. Maldi scores are obtained for a range of sample parameters (e.g. McFarland, dispense volume and number of dispenses). From the data, sample preparation parameters can be selected for a biological sample being prepared for Maldi testing. One sample preparation strategy uses multiple dispenses of sample with an intervening drying step, which yields more accurate Maldi scores, particularly for samples at the low range of McFarland values (e.g. below about 2).

The invention generally relates to systems including nanoelectrospray ionization emitters in a movable array format in which the emitters can be loaded, singly or simultaneously, through their narrow ends using a novel dip and go method based on capillary action, taking up sample from an array. The sample solutions in each emitter can be electrophoretically cleaned, singly or simultaneously, by creating an inductive electric field that moves interfering ions away from the narrow end of the capillary. Subsequent to cleaning, the emitters are supplied with an inductive electric field that causes electrospray into a mass spectrometer allowing mass analysis of the contents of the emitter.