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.

A method of multiplexing the operation of a sample preparation and analysis system is disclosed. The system includes a sample preparation system capable of preparing a first sample in accordance with a first assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays and preparing a second sample in accordance with a second, different assay. The method includes separately transporting the first and second prepared samples to an analysis station having first and second separation channels and an analyzer comprising a mass spectrometer. The method further includes simultaneously analyzing the first prepared sample with the analyzer in accordance with the first selected assay and separating the second prepared sample with the second separation channel in accordance with the second selected assay.

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.

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.

Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings. MS-based systems and methods are provided in which the flow of solvent into an open port sampling probe fluidly coupled to an ion source can be selectively stopped during the addition of one or more reagents into the drained open end of the sampling probe. Upon re-initiating the flow of solvent, the reagents and/or the reaction products can be delivered to the ion source. In one aspect, a method for chemical analysis is provided, the method comprising directing a flow of a first solvent from a solvent conduit to an ion source via a sampling space of a sampling probe, wherein the sampling space is at least partially defined by an open end of the sampling probe. The flow of the first solvent into the sampling space from the solvent conduit may be terminated for a first duration, and the sampling space drained. A second solvent and one or more reactants may then be added to the drained sampling space through the open end during the first duration. Thereafter, the flow of the first solvent may again be directed from the solvent conduit to the ion source via the sampling space such that the second solvent is delivered to the ion source, and such that one or more reaction products contained within the second solvent and generated by said one or more reactants may be ionized for mass spectrometric analysis.

A controller for an open port interphase mass spectrometry (MS) probe automates analysis of samples, providing continuous, fast, and reproducible sampling. The sensed position of the probe above the sample surface is used by the controller in a feedback loop to set the probe at the proper position on the sample surface for sampling. One embodiment uses a conductance based sensor signal as input to the feedback loop to determine contact of the probe with the sample surface and to set the probe position according to a selected conductance value. The controller allows fast and automated sampling of uneven sample surfaces with minimal sample preparation while minimizing the risk of clogging the MS probe.

A sample preparation and analysis system. The system 10 includes a sample preparation system 12 and a sample analysis system 14. The sample preparation system 12 prepares samples in accordance with an assay that is selected from a database containing a plurality of unique assays. The sample analysis system 14 includes an analyzer 110 that is dynamically reconfigurable based on the selected assay so as to analyze the prepared sample in accordance with that selected assay. A data communication link 27 communicates data from the sample preparation system 12 to the sample analysis system 14 to reconfigure the analyzer 110 in accordance with the selected assay.

The invention concerns the reduction of the risk of an incorrect assignment of samples to sample sites during the manual deposition of samples for ionization by laser desorption (for example MALDI or LDCI). The invention offers a method wherein a sample support with several sample sites is provided, at least one sample site is selected, and the selected sample site is highlighted, at least in contrast to neighboring not selected sample sites, in a way which the human eye can perceive.

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.

The present disclosure provides a mass spectrometry cartridge and methods of use thereof.