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.

Provided is a sample pretreatment device configured to apply, to the surface of a sample, a solution in which a predetermined substance is dissolved or dispersed. In order to properly and efficiently unclog a nozzle due to the deposition of the crystal of a matrix substance, the device includes a spray unit (3) including a solution tube (32) for the solution to pass through, a gas tube (33) for a spray gas to pass through, and a nozzle part (30) configured to spray the solution arriving at the terminal end of the solution tube by ejection of the spray gas through the gas tube, as well as a cleaning liquid supplier (4, 41) configured to put a cleaning liquid on an opening of the nozzle part from outside the spray unit.

A system and method are provided for loading a sample into an analytical instrument using acoustic droplet ejection (“ADE”) in combination with a continuous flow sampling probe. An acoustic droplet ejector is used to eject small droplets of a fluid sample containing an analyte into the sampling tip of a continuous flow sampling probe, where the acoustically ejected droplet combines with a continuous, circulating flow stream of solvent within the flow probe. Fluid circulation within the probe transports the sample through a sample transport capillary to an outlet that directs the analyte away from the probe to an analytical instrument, e.g., a device that detects the presence, concentration quantity, and/or identity of the analyte. When the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer or other type of device requiring the analyte to be in ionized form, the exiting droplets pass through an ionization region, e.g., an electrospray ion source, prior to entering the mass spectrometer or other analytical instrument. The method employs active flow control and enables real-time kinetic measurements.

Systems and methods for ionizing analytes in a sample use an atomizer that generates aerosol particles containing the sample analytes and an emitter having inner and outer capillaries. The outer capillary is arranged about (e.g., concentrically about) the inner capillary, forms an orifice of the emitter, and receives the aerosol from the atomizer. The aerosol particles condense against the inner surface of the outer capillary and/or the outer surface of the inner capillary and form a reservoir of condensate liquid sample at the orifice of the emitter. The emitter receives, within the inner capillary, a nebulizing gas that flows towards the terminal end of the inner capillary. An electrical potential is applied between the emitter and an inlet of a sample analyzer. The nebulizing gas, the supply pressure of the aerosol to the outer capillary, and the electrical potential generate an electrospray plume of electrically charged analyte particles for analysis.

Coating materials such as MALDI matrix solutions are aerosolized and are used to coat analyte particles in an acoustic coater. Methods and devices for coating analyte particles in real time are disclosed. The coating improves the detection and quantification of the analyte particles using analytical instruments such as an aerosol time of flight mass spectrometer.

Provided is a spray chamber including a sample introduction port portion into which a gas flow containing sample droplets that have been atomized by a nebulizer is introduced, a discharge port portion that discharges at least a part of the gas flow introduced into the sample introduction port portion to the outside, and a flow passage tube portion that has the sample introduction port portion on one end portion thereof and the discharge port portion on the other end portion thereof and serves as a flow passage for the introduced gas flow, wherein the flow passage tube portion includes a first tube portion having the discharge port portion on one end portion thereof and a second tube portion having the sample introduction port portion on one end portion thereof, the spray chamber includes a double tube portion.

A system for the mass spectrometry analysis of an analyte includes a droplet ejection device, a spray head comprising a spray tip for ejecting the solvent as a spray, and a solvent delivery conduit for delivering solvent to the spray tip. The spray head includes a droplet inlet opening communicating with the surrounding atmosphere for receiving liquid droplets comprising the analyte. The droplet ejection device selectively ejects a liquid analyte droplet comprising the analyte through a surrounding atmosphere and the droplet inlet opening into a solvent flowing through the solvent delivery conduit. A method for the mass spectrometry analysis of an analyte is also disclosed.

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.

The present disclosure is applicable to the field of analytical instruments, and provides a multifunctional probe for sample pickup, delivery and electrospray ionization used for direct sample analysis with a liquid-phase mass spectrometer. The multifunctional probe comprises a needle body and a tip part, wherein said tip part is continuously contracted from the needle body in whole or in part, and said tip part is provided with a solution carrying structure. The present disclosure further provides a combined sample introduction and electrospray device for liquid-phase mass spectrometry comprising said multifunctional probe, further comprising a mechanical arm and an ion source with a sealed chamber and a needle port on the sealed chamber.

A method of producing ions from a sample is disclosed. The method comprises directing a spray of droplets onto a sample, and causing droplets comprising analyte from the sample to impact upon a surface so as to generate analyte ions.