Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Jian Bai

Jean-Luc Truche

Steven Michael Fischer

J Michael Flanagan

Timothy Herbert Joyce

Arthur Schleifer

Kevin P Killeen

Paul C Goodley

Alex Mordehai

Viorica Lopez-Avila

Magdalena Anna Ostrowski

Jean L Truche

A mass spectrometer having a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source which operates at ambient pressure is disclosed. The apparatus and method are disclosed to analyze at least one sample which contains at least one analyte using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), which apparatus comprises: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for ionizing at least one analyte in a sample for delivery to a mass analysis device, comprising: 

Ambient pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) apparatus and method of analysis

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for introducing calibrant ions into a conduit, ion source and/or mass spectrometry system.

Apparatus and method for ion calibrant introduction

The invention described herein provides a matrix-based ion source including a gas heating device for providing heated gas at a defined temperature to the ionization region of the ion source. The ion source may also include a temperature sensor. The heating device and temperature sensor may be operably connected to work as a closed feedback loop to provide gas at a constant, pre-determined, temperature to the ionization region. Also disclosed is a mass spectrometer system having the matrix-based ion source. A method of producing ions employing gas that is heated to a pre-determined temperature is also provided.

Apparatus and method for ion production enhancement

A mass spectrometer having a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source which operates at ambient pressure is disclosed. The apparatus and method are disclosed to analyze at least one sample which contains at least one analyte using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), which apparatus comprises: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for ionizing at least one analyte in a sample for delivery to a mass analysis device, comprising:

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometer. The ion enhancement system of the present invention is used to direct a heated gas toward ions produced by a matrix based ion source and detected by a detector. The ion enhancement system is interposed between the ion source and the detector. The analyte ions that contact the heated gas are enhanced and an increased number of ions are more easily detected by a detector. The method of the invention comprises producing analyte ions from a matrix based ion source, enhancing the analyte ions with an ion enhancement system and detecting the enhanced analyte ions with a detector.

A mass spectrometer having a matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) source which operates at ambient pressure is disclosed. The apparatus and method are disclosed to analyze at least one sample which contains at least one analyte using matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI), which apparatus comprises: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for ionizing at least one analyte in a sample for delivery to a mass analysis device, comprising: (a) an ionization enclosure including a passageway configured for delivery of ions to the mass analysis device; (b) means to maintain said ionization enclosure at an ambient pressure of greater than 100 mTorr; (c) a holder configured for maintaining a matrix containing said sample in the ionization enclosure at said ambient pressure; (d) a source of laser energy including means associated with the ionization enclosure for directing the laser energy onto said matrix maintained by the holder at the ambient pressure to desorb and ionize at least a portion of the analyte in the sample, and (e) means for directing at least a portion of the at least one ionized analyte into the passageway. The ambient pressure (AP-MALDI) source is compatible with various mass analyzers, particularly with mass spectrometers and solves many problems associated with conventional MALDI sources operating under vacuum. Atmospheric pressure MALDI is described. The analysis of organic molecules or fragments thereof, particularly biomolecules, e.g., biopolymers and organisms, is described.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometer. The ion production and enhancement system of the present invention is used to enhance analyte ions for ease of detection in a mass spectrometer. The method of the invention comprises producing and enhancing analyte ions with an ion production and enhancement system and detecting the enhanced analyte ions with a detector.

Target support and method for ion production enhancement

An apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometer, in which an ion enhancement system directs a heated gas to heat ions produced by a matrix based ion source and detected by a detector of the mass spectrometer. The ion enhancement system is interposed between the ion source and the detector of the mass spectrometer. The analyte ions that contact the heated gas are enhanced to increase the number and/or intensity of ions detected by the detector of the mass spectrometer. The method includes producing analyte ions from a matrix based ion source, enhancing the analyte ions with an ion enhancement system and detecting the analyte ions with the detector of the mass spectrometer.

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

An atmospheric pressure MALDI (AP-MALDI) apparatus and method are disclosed wherein a laser beam is reflected from a surface on an ion transfer interface between an analyte target and a mass analyzer. After reflection, the laser beam irradiates the target, which may be disposed on a target substrate. An embodiment includes using a reflective surface on the interface also for viewing the target and, e.g., by means of signals from a processor, adjusting the relative position of the target substrate and the laser beam. The apparatus can also be operated at pressures that are less than or greater than atmospheric.

Growing community of inventors

Mountain View, CA, United States of America

Jian Bai