Patent ID: 9048077
Filing Date: 2015-06-02
Classification: G01N,H01J

Abstract:
1. A method of screening a sample for one or more analytes by mass spectrometry comprising: generating ions from the sample to create an ionized sample; performing a pre-mass spectrometry screening of the ionized sample; causing a processing system to compare results of the pre-mass spectrometry screening to an analyte database stored in a memory, wherein correlation of the result of the pre-mass spectrometry screening to an analyte within the database comprises a preliminary positive identification; causing a gate to open when the processing system determines that a preliminary positive identification is made, wherein opening of the gate allows a portion of the ionized sample to pass through to an ion trap of a mass spectrometer; and causing the gate to remain closed when the processing system determines that a preliminary positive identification is not made, wherein causing the gate to remain closed prevents the ionized sample from passing through to the ion trap of the mass spectrometer.