An ambient ionisation source unit (10) is provided comprising: a housing (12) containing a first device (14) for generating analyte material from a surface of a sample to be analysed and a sampling inlet (16) for receiving analyte material liberated from the surface of the sample. The position(s) of the first device and/or sampling inlet is (are) fixed relative to the housing. Thus, the first device and the sampling inlet are integrated into a single unit that can be installed onto the front-end of an ion analysis instrument with minimal or reduced user interaction.

The invention generally relates to methods and devices for synchronization of ion generation with cycling of a discontinuous atmospheric interface. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes a mass spectrometry probe that generates sample ions, a discontinuous atmospheric interface, and a mass analyzer, in which the system is configured such that ion formation is synchronized with cycling of the discontinuous atmospheric interface.

A method of ion imaging is disclosed that includes automatically sampling a plurality of different locations on a sample using a front device which is arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from the sample. Mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data corresponding to each location is obtained and the obtained mass spectral data and/or ion mobility data is used to construct, train or improved a sample classification model.

A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analysing the analyte ions.

A method of analysis using mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: using a first device to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a first target of biological material; and el mass and/or ion mobility analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said aerosol, smoke, or vapour, or ions derived therefrom so as to obtain first spectrometric data. The method may use an ambient ionisation method.

An analysis method includes: performing liquid chromatography using a mobile phase including an adsorption prevention agent for preventing adsorption of a sample including a compound having a phosphate group to metal; and performing mass spectrometry on an eluate of the liquid chromatography. The adsorption prevention agent includes an oxalic acid or a salt of the oxalic acid.

An apparatus for performing ambient ionization mass and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a substantially cylindrical, tubular, rod-shaped, coil-shaped, helical or spiral-shaped collision assembly; and a first device arranged and adapted to direct analyte, smoke, fumes, liquid, gas, surgical smoke, aerosol or vapor onto said collision assembly.

An apparatus is disclosed comprising a first device for generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of a target, an inlet conduit to an ion analyser or mass spectrometer, the inlet conduit having an inlet through which the aerosol, smoke or vapour passes, and a Venturi pump arrangement arranged and adapted to direct the aerosol, smoke or vapour towards the inlet.

A device that produces charged droplets whose composition is optimized for the creation of ions by electro spray composed of: a transport device that is operative to transfer sample components from a liquid sample to a processing chamber, a flowing stream of liquid through the processing chamber into which the samples are deposited, a controller mechanism operative to control the amount of sample transferred, a transport tube through which the flowing liquid containing the sample is directed to an electro spray emitter with a high electric field at the exit, a flow of expanding gas surrounding the electro spray emitter creating a pressure drop at the exit, and, a mass spectrometer for measuring the number of ions produced from the charged droplets emanating from the emitter; wherein the dilution of the sample in the processing chamber and transport fluid is from 100 to 10,000-fold.

Systems and methods are provided for high-efficiency transport of single particles for inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Single particles may be delivered to the mass spectrometer for quantification of trace elements. The systems may include droplet generation, conveyance module, capillary tubing, and/or an integrated inductively coupled plasma (ICP) torch, which may allow for the sequential transportation of single particles.