Systems and methods for use in introducing samples to an analytical instrument. The systems and methods are adaptable to process either a liquid sample or a gaseous sample, including samples containing particle contaminants, for subsequent analysis using an analytical instrument.

The sample introduction device includes a nebulizer that atomizes a sample liquid; a spray chamber that has one end into which a spray port part of the nebulizer is inserted and the other end from which at least a part of liquid droplets of the sample liquid sprayed from the spray port part is discharged to an outside; and a heating electromagnetic wave radiation unit that is arranged outside the spray chamber, wherein the heating electromagnetic wave radiation unit performs radiation of heating electromagnetic waves from the outside of the spray chamber toward at least a part of the spray chamber other than a part into which the spray port part of the nebulizer is inserted.

A mass spectrometry (MS) apparatus is provided. The MS apparatus includes a mass spectrometer, an ionization source coupled to the mass spectrometer, and a flow injection system (FIS) coupled to the ionization source. The ionization source is configured to provide an ionized gas flow of an analyte towards an entrance of the mass spectrometer. The ionization source is further configured to provide a second gas flow of a second gas. The MS apparatus is configured to measure a mass spectrometer (MS) signal of the analyte. The MS apparatus is further configured to analyze a dependency of the MS signal of the analyte versus a parameter of the second gas flow or a state of the second gas flow and to determine a condition of the apparatus based on the analyzed dependency.

Provided is a method for introducing into a probe 22 an eluate eluted from a component separation unit 14 that temporally separates components contained in a liquid sample, for obtaining charged particles, and for delivering the charged particles to a charged particle analysis unit 30 provided at a subsequent stage through a charged particle introduction opening 23, comprising steps of: supplying a gasification promoting gas for promoting gasification of the eluate and applying a predetermined charged-particle obtaining voltage to the probe 22 while the eluate is being introduced into the probe 22; and hindering the eluate nebulized by the probe 22 from moving toward the ion introduction opening 2 only in a time period other than a time period in which a target-component containing eluate is introduced into the probe 22.

A method of ionising a sample is disclosed comprising nebulising a sample which includes monoclonal antibody (“mAb”) molecules. A stream of monoclonal antibody droplets or charged droplets is directed so as to impact upon a target or electrode so as to form intact parent monoclonal antibody ions, intact minus light chain parent monoclonal antibody ions or light chain (“LC”) fragment monoclonal antibody ions.

An impact ionisation spray or electrospray ionisation ion source comprising a nebuliser (30) having a first conduit (11) for providing a liquid sample and a second conduit (10) for providing a nebulisation gas in order to nebulise the liquid sample is disclosed. The first conduit (11) and second conduit (10) are of unitary construction with each other and may be made from glass. The ion source can provide a consistent and/or predictable spray profile for the nebulised sample.

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.

An ion source is provided comprising a nebuliser or electrospray probe (1) for nebulising a sample and an impact surface or target electrode (5). The impact surface or target electrode (5) comprises a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal. Also provided is an ion source comprising a nebuliser or electrospray probe with a central wire comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal or an alloy comprising a tarnishable or oxidisable metal. Adducts with relatively heavy metals result in simplified multiply-charged mass spectra that are easier to interpret.

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.

An ionizer includes a probe having multiple coaxially aligned conduits. The conduits may carry liquids, and nebulizing and heating gases at various flow rates and temperatures, for generation of ions from a liquid source. An outermost conduit defines an entrainment region that transports and entrains ions in a gas for a defined distance along the length of the conduits. In embodiments, various voltages may be applied to the multiple conduits to aid in ionization and to guide ions. Depending on the voltages applied to the multiple conduits and electrodes, the ionizer can act as an electrospray, APCI, or APPI source. Further, the ionizer may include a source of photons or a source of corona ionization. Formed ions may be provided to a downstream mass analyser.