The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Hitachi, Ltd.

Bruker Daltonics, Inc.

Gary Glish

Mark Ridgeway

Desmond Allen Kaplan

Melvin Andrew Park

Takashi Baba

Alice Pilo

Kenneth D Swanson

Ryan M Danell

Nathaneal A Park

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.

Condensed liquid aerosol particle spray (CLAPS)—a novel on-line liquid aerosol sampling and ionization technique

Improved methods and devices for analysis of gas phase ions via ion mobility type analyzers, particularly high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility analyzers (FAIMS), by linking gas composition and/or flow rate with the scanning of compensation voltage or asymmetric waveform amplitude are provided. Linking these parameters results in improvements in resolution, sensitivity, and selectivity. The methods and devices according to the presently disclosed subject matter provide for the improvement in resolution for specific ions without affecting the entire FAIMS spectrum.

High field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) methods and devices with voltage-gas composition linked scans

Analyte ions are analyzed first by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) before being analyzed by a mass analyzer. Analyte ions are produced at near atmospheric pressure and transferred via a dielectric capillary into the vacuum system of the mass analyzer. While passing through the capillary, the ions are analyzed by FAIMS via electrodes on the interior wall of the capillary. Improved ion transmission is achieved by providing smooth geometric transitions between the channel in FAIMS analyzer and the channel in the remainder of the capillary.

Means and method for field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry combined with mass spectrometry

A mass spectrometer according to one embodiment can include first and second endcap electrodes, first and second outer ring electrodes, and a central ring electrode. The first outer ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the first endcap electrode. The central ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the first outer ring electrode. The second outer ring electrode can be positioned downstream of the central ring electrode. The second endcap electrode can be positioned downstream of the second outer ring electrode. The mass spectrometer can also include a radio frequency (RF) signal supply operable to apply an RF signal to the first and second outer ring electrodes to thereby generate a substantially octapolar field for trapping charged particles.

Octapole ion trap mass spectrometers and related methods

The present invention relates to mass spectrometers capable of performing electron (or positron) capture dissociation, methods of performing tandem mass spectrometry, methods of performing electron capture dissociation, and methods of performing positron capture dissociation. In one embodiment, a mass spectrometer capable of performing electron or positron capture dissociation is provided that comprises a first mass analyzer, a magnetic trap downstream of the first mass analyzer, a second mass analyzer downstream of the magnetic trap, and an electron or positron source positioned such that electrons or positrons may be supplied to the magnetic trap.

Methods and apparatus for electron or positron capture dissociation

An electrospray ionization device is provided that includes one or more electrospray needles and an ion sampling device. Each needle has a distal end for receiving a sample, a tip for spraying the sample in fluid communication with the distal end, and an electrical contact for contacting at least some portion of sample therein. The ion sampling device has an entrance, an exit, and an interior in fluid communication with the entrance and the exit, and is located in proximity to the tip or tips of the one or more electrospray needles. The entrance defines an opening that has a larger area than an opening defined by the exit. The ion sampling device also has a counter-electrical contact. The electrospray ionization device further comprises means for generating an electrical potential difference between the counter-electrical contact and the electrical contact(s) of the one or more electrospray needles.

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Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America

Gary Glish