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).

Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

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.

Systems and methods for controlled, inline introduction of chemical agents to an inline fluid sample are described. A method embodiment includes, but is not limited to, receiving a fluid sample with a valve; receiving a chemical agent with the valve; introducing the fluid sample and the chemical agent inline via a mixing port of the valve to produce a mixed sample; transferring the mixed sample to a second valve; directing the mixed sample to a sample holding loop fluidically coupled with the second valve; holding the mixed sample within the sample holding loop for a holding period of time to permit a reaction between the fluid sample and the chemical agent; and directing the mixed sample from the sample holding loop to an analytic instrument following expiration of the holding period of time.

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.

A mass spectrometry system and a working method and an application thereof, and a sampling device. The mass spectrometry system includes an ion source, a sampling device and a mass spectrometer. The sampling device includes: a guide rail; a support adapted to move on the guide rail; a bearing member made from a hydrophobic material with two ends being fixed to the support; a plurality of containers for containing samples arranged on the support; a plurality of transport members made from a hydrophilic material and including a first portion provided on the bearing member and a second portion connected to the first portion and extending into each container; adjacent transport members being not in contact; and a drive module configured to drive the support to move on the guide rail such that a central axis of an exit port of the ion source passes through the first portion.

Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.

The invention relates to an autosampler (1) for obtaining mass spectra from a plurality of fluid samples, in particular gaseous samples. This autosampler (1) comprises a plurality of containers (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) comprising sample sources (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6) providing the samples, wherein each one of the containers (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) provides a docking port (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6) for being connected with a connector (5) for enabling access to an inside of the respective container (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) via the connector (5) when the connector (5) is connected to the respective docking port (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6) in order to obtain the respective sample from the respective container (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) via said connector (5). Thereby, the connector (5) is connectable to and detachable from each docking port (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6). The autosampler (1) further comprise an ionisation source (6) for ionising at least a part of the samples to ions, wherein the ionisation source (6) is fluidly coupled to the connector (5) for receiving the samples from the containers (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) via the connector (5). Furthermore, the autosampler (1) comprises a mass analyser (7) for obtaining the mass spectra from the ions, the mass analyser (7) being fluidly coupled to the ionisation source (6) for receiving the ions from the ionisation source (6) for obtaining the mass spectra from the ions. The ionisation source (6) is moveable with the connector (5) within the autosampler (1) sequentially to each one of the plurality of said containers (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) for connecting the connector (5) to the docking port (4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6) of the respective container (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) for collecting the sample from the respective container (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6) for ionising at least a part of the sample to ions and obtaining the mass spectra from the ions. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for operating the autosampler (1).

A cleanliness monitor for monitoring a cleanliness of a vacuum chamber. The cleanliness monitor may include a mass spectrometer, a molecule aggregation and release unit and an analyzer. The molecule aggregation and release unit is configured to (a) aggregate, during an aggregation period, organic molecules that are present in the vacuum chamber and (b) induce, during a release period, a release of a subset of the organic molecules towards the mass spectrometer. The mass spectrometer is configured to monitor an environment within the vacuum chamber and to generate detection signals indicative of a content of the environment; wherein a first subset of the detection signals is indicative of a presence of the subset of the organic molecules. The analyzer is configured to determine the cleanliness of the vacuum chamber based on the detection signals.

Slide analysis a gripper with three sensors for controlling a slide grip sequence and at least one rotatable carousel with a slide receiving channel. The systems also include a robot with a robot arm that holds a slide gripper residing inside the housing in communication with the rotatable carousel. The systems also include a load lock chamber and a door sealably coupled to the second end portion and an acquisition vacuum chamber with an X-Y stage and a slide holder with a vacuum seal.