Micromass UK Limited

Kate Whyatt

Daniel James Kenny

David Gordon

Richard Barrington Moulds

Stevan Bajic

Ian David Trivett

Stephen O'Brien

Howard Read

Jason Lee Wildgoose

Martin Raymond Green

Keith George Richardson

Alexander Hooper

David Jonathan Pugh

David Pugh

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a step () of analysing a reference compound in a first mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; a step () of analysing the reference compound in a second, different mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; and a step () of automatically adjusting an operational parameter, duty cycle (e.g. duty cycle of data acquisition), or acquired spectral data of at least one mass spectrometer such that, for the same (given) consumption of reference compound by the spectrometer, the statistical precision of quantification (the number of detected ions) and/or of mass measurement (the mass resolution) by the mass spectrometer is substantially the same as that of the other mass spectrometer. A similar method of ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed.

Automatically standardising spectrometers

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas conehaving an inlet aperture, wherein the gas conehas a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tubehaving an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tubewhich surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tubeso that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tubeat a flow rate &#x3e;200 &#x3bc;L/min. The mass spectrometer further comprises a second device arranged and adapted to supply a nebuliser gas via the second capillary tubeat a flow rate in the range 80-150 L/hr, wherein an outlet of the first capillary tubeis arranged at a distance x mm along the x-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture, a distance y mm along a y-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture and a distance z mm along a z-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture. The x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The desolvation gas supply tube surrounds the second capillary tubeand the mass spectrometer further comprises a third device arranged and adapted to supply a desolvation gas via the desolvation gas supply tube at a flow rate in the range 400-1200 L/hr, a heaterarranged and adapted to heat the desolvation gas to a temperature &#x2265;100&#xb0; C. and a fourth device arranged and adapted to supply a cone gas to the gas coneat a flow rate in the range 40-80 L/hr and wherein x is in the range 2.0-5.0 mm and wherein the ratio z/x is in the range 1-5:1.

Miniature ion source of fixed geometry

A method of automatically performing a routine to check the operational state of a mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the method is performed automatically as a start-up routine upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The method comprises automatically generating a vacuum within one or more vacuum chambers of a mass spectrometer and automatically generating first ions using an internal ion source, wherein the internal ion source is located within a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer or is located within a chamber downstream from an atmospheric pressure interface, and detecting at least some of the first ions or second ions derived from the first ions. The method further comprises automatically determining whether or not the mass spectrometer is in a correct operational state.

Automated beam check

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube which surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube at a flow rate &#x3e;200 &#x3bc;L/min. The mass spectrometer further comprises a second device arranged and adapted to supply a nebuliser gas via the second capillary tube at a flow rate in the range 80-150 L/hr, wherein an outlet of the first capillary tube is arranged at a distance x mm along the x-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture, a distance y mm along a y-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture and a distance z mm along a z-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture. The x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The desolvation gas supply tube surrounds the second capillary tube and the mass spectrometer further comprises a third device arranged and adapted to supply a desolvation gas via the desolvation gas supply tube at a flow rate in the range 400-1200 L/hr, a heater arranged and adapted to heat the desolvation gas to a temperature &#x2265;100&#xb0; C. and a fourth device arranged and adapted to supply a cone gas to the gas cone at a flow rate in the range 40-80 L/hr and wherein x is in the range 2.0-5.0 mm and wherein the ratio z/x is in the range 1-5:1.

A method of Electrospray ionization is disclosed comprising passing a sample liquid through a liquid chromatography column, monitoring a liquid chromatography back pressure and varying a voltage applied to an Electrospray ionization source electrode in dependence upon said monitored liquid chromatography back pressure.

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Cheshire, United Kingdom

Kate Whyatt