A system and method for analyzing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) adsorbed on an adsorbent membrane, by low-temperature plasma and mass spectrometry (LTP-MS). The system includes a receptacle for receiving the adsorbent membrane, a low-temperature plasma ionizer configured to emit a plasma stream in a plasma emission direction, thereby ionizing the VOCs adsorbed by the membrane and forming a VOC-laden ionized gas, and a mass spectrometer for analyzing the ionized VOCs.

In a conventional fine particle detection device that vaporizes fine particles attached to the object of examination by heating, processing capability decreases as the processing time elapses due to the influence of deposition of fine particles other than the object of examination, dirt/dust, a residue of the fine particles as the object of examination, or residual matter. A fine particle detection device according to the present invention includes: a vaporization device that vaporizes the fine particles trapped by a trap device by vaporization or decomposition; a first flow passageway in which a mixture of a component vaporized by the vaporization device and another component flows; a second flow passageway branching from the first flow passageway in a direction of inertial force acting on the other component; a third flow passageway branching from the first flow passageway in a direction different from the direction of the inertial force; and an analysis device that analyzes a component introduced into the third flow passageway.

Systems and methods for use in introducing samples to an analytical device for single particle compositional analysis. Suitable analytical devices include, for example, an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometer. Prior to introduction to the analytical device, the sample gas is exchanged with argon gas, for example, using a gas exchange device. The analytical device may be calibrated with a liquid sample which is aerosolized prior to entry into the analytical device.

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.

Devices, systems and methods including a spray chamber are described. In certain examples, the spray chamber may be configured with an outer chamber configured to provide tangential gas flows. In other instances, an inner tube can be positioned within the outer chamber and may comprise a plurality of microchannels. In some examples, the outer chamber may comprise dual gas inlet ports. In some instances, the spray chamber may be configured to provide tangential gas flow and laminar gas flows to prevent droplet formation on surfaces of the spray chamber. Optical emission devices, optical absorption devices and mass spectrometers using the spray chamber are also described.

A nozzle for directing heated gas onto the distal end of a capillary arrangable adjacent the nozzle, the nozzle comprising: a housing defining a plenum for heated gas; and at outlet comprising at least one aperture fluidly connected to the plenum, the outlet configured to direct a curtain of the heated gas onto the distal end of a capillary in use, such that the curtain of heated gas is substantially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the capillary.

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 drying device comprising a regenerable desiccant medium that is effective to adsorb water without absorption of gaseous analyte species in an introduced ambient air stream is described. The drying device can be used with a thermal desorption device to remove water vapor from gaseous analyte species prior to analysis of the gaseous analyte species. Systems including a drying device are also described.

A method of analysis using mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: (a) using a first device to generate smoke, aerosol or vapour from a target in vitro or ex vivo cell population; (b) mass analysing and/or ion mobility analysing said smoke, aerosol or vapour, or ions derived therefrom, in order to obtain spectrometric data; and (c) analysing said spectrometric data in order to identify and/or characterise said target cell population or one or more cells and/or compounds present in said target cell population.

A mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer is disclosed comprising: an ion block for receiving ions; a heater for heating the ion block; a vacuum housing; and an interface block arranged between the ion block and the vacuum housing; wherein the interface block is formed from a polymer. The polymer interface block inhibits the heat transfer from the ion block to the vacuum housing and also electrically isolates the ion block and vacuum housing. The interface block further comprises at least one conduit through the body of the interface block. This enables gas to be transmitted through the interface block to the ion block, and also enables the interface block to be cooled.