Hewlett-Packard Company

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Jean L Truche

Jeffrey T Kernan

Carolyn C Broadbent

Arthur Schleifer

Jian Bai

Viorica Lopez-Avila

Magdalena Anna Ostrowski

MALDI sample holders and methods of using and making the same are provided. The MALDI sample holders are configured for use in matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization and include a planar substrate having a surface and at least one fluid retaining structure present on the surface. The fluid retaining structure includes a material that changes from a first fluid state to a second solid state in response to a stimulus. Also provided are methods of using the subject MALDI sample holders in a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization protocol, as well as methods of producing the subject MALDI sample holders. Kits for use in practicing the subject methods are also provided.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization sample holders and methods of using the same

A quadrupole electrode assembly for a mass spectrometer and a method for forming the electrode assembly are provided. The quadrupole electrode assembly is comprised of an elongate outer tube, having an internal surface and an external surface wherein the outer tube is the outermost structure of the electrode assembly and supports a vacuum, and an electrode structure fused to the internal surface of the outer tube. Typically, there are four electrodes where each electrode includes an arced region having a conductive surface. The arced regions of the electrodes are aligned in parallel opposing pairs equidistant from a central axis. The four electrode structures can be four cylindrical glass tubes where the curvature of the arced region approximates a hyperbola. At least a portion of the surface of the arced region is a conductive region typically formed by applying a metal coating to the surface of the glass tube. The arced region of the electrode may be a hyperbola formed by placing the electrode structure in proximity to a first hyperbolic surface and modifying the shape of the electrode structure by heating the structure to its softening point. In response to a pressure differential, the structure expands to conform to the first hyperbolic surface.

Universal quadrupole and method of manufacture

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for formation of a quadrupole electrode assembly for a mass spectrometer. The quadrupole electrode assembly is comprised of an outer elongate tube having an internal and external surface where the outer elongate tube as the outermost structure may be used for supporting a vacuum and an electrode structure fused to the internal surface of the outer elongate tube. Typically there are four electrodes where each electrode includes an arced region having a conductive surface where the arcs are aligned in parallel opposing pairs equidistant from a central axis. In the preferred embodiment, the four electrode structures are four cylindrical glass tubes where the curvature of the arc approximates a hyperbola. At least a portion of the surface of the arc is a conductive region typically formed by applying a metal coating to the surface of the glass tube. The arced region of the electrode may be a hyperbola formed by placing the electrode structure in proximity to a first hyperbolic surface and modifying the shape of the electrode structure by heating the structure to its softening point. In response to a pressure differential, the structure expands to conform to the first hyperbolic structure.

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Los Altos, CA, United States of America

Jean L Truche