Mass spectrometer system and method for matrix-assisted laser desorption measurements

Abstract

The system for analyzing multiple samples includes a plurality of portable of sample supports each for accommodating a plurality of samples thereon, and an identification mechanism for identifying each sample location on each of the plurality of sample supports. The mass spectrometer is provided for analyzing each of the plurality of samples when positioned within a sample receiving chamber, and a laser source strikes each sample with a laser pulse to desorb and ionize sample molecules. The support transport mechanism providedprovides for automatically inputting and outputting each of the sample supports from the sample receiving chamber of the mass spectrometer. A vacuum lock chamber receives the sample supports and maintains at least one of the sample supports within a controlled environment while samples on another of the plurality of sample supports are being struck with laser pulses. The computer is provided for recording test data from the mass spectrometer and for controlling the operation of the system.

Description

[0001]Note that more than one reissue application has been field. This application is a continuation of reissue application Ser. No. 09 / 038,324, filed on Mar. 11, 1998, issued as RE37485, the entire content of which is incorporated by reference herein.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to mass spectrometer systems useful for obtaining matrix-assisted laser desorption measurements. More particularly, this invention is directed to an automated mass spectrometer system for combining high sample throughput with high reliability.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Matrix-assisted laser desorption and ionization (MALDI) is a relatively new technique that allows very large molecules, such as DNA fragments and proteins, to be desorbed from a solid sample and ionized without significant decomposition. Coupled with mass spectrometry, this technique allows the molecular weights of biological polymers and other large molecules, including industrial polymers, to be precisely ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]It is an object of this invention to provide improved equipment and techniques for performing MALDI mass spectrometry analysis. The equipment and techniques of this invention substantially reduce both the time and expertise required to load, run, and analyze multiple samples, thereby significantly reducing the cost of the analysis.

[0009]A significant feature of this invention relates to the effective combination of mass spectrometry equipment and techniques with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization equipment and techniques. The equipment and techniques may be utilized to substantially reduce the cost of DNA sequencing. The invention may also be used for determining the molecular weight of various large molecules, such as biological and industrial polymers.

[0010]A significant advantage of this invention relates to the reduced time required for mass spectrometry analysis of multiple samples. The invention is particularly well suited for use with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Problems solved by technology

A diligent operator should theoretically be able to load and run a sample every five or ten minutes using such a system, but it is difficult to maintain such a rate over an extended period.

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