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

A system for analyzing a plurality of samples, comprising:

• a plurality of portable sample supports each having a sample receiving surface thereon for accommodating a plurality of samples each at a fixed location on each sample support;
• sample identification means for identifying each sample location of each of the plurality of samples on each of the plurality of sample supports;
• support identification means for identifying each of the plurality of sample supports;
• and
• a mass spectrometer for analyzing each of the plurality of samples on a respective one of the sample supports, the mass spectrometer having a sample receiving chamber therein for receiving a respective sample support;
• a laser source for striking each sample on each sample support while within the receiving chamber with a laser pulse to desorb and ionize sample molecules;
• support transfer mechanism for automatically inputting and outputting each of the sample supports from the sample receiving chamber of the mass spectrometer;
• a vacuum lock chamber connected with the sample receiving chamber of the mass spectrometer for receiving each of the sample supports and for maintaining one or more of the sample supports within a vacuum controlled environment while the plurality of samples on another of the sample supports are struck by laser pulses;
• a sample storage chamber for storing one or more of the plurality of sample supports;
• a powered transporter for transporting each of the plurality of sample supports from the sample storage chamber to the vacuum lock chamber;
• and
• computer means for controlling the support transfer mechanism and for receiving information from the sample identification means and the support identification means for recording test data from the mass spectrometer for each of the plurality of samples on each of the sample supports.

A method of analyzing a plurality of samples within a sample receiving chamber of a mass spectrometer, the method comprising:

• supporting each of a plurality of samples at a fixed location on one of a plurality of sample supports;
• identifying each sample location of each of the plurality of samples on each of the plurality of sample supports;
• providing a vacuum lock chamber for receiving the sample supports and for maintaining one or more of the sample supports within a vacuum controlled environment while the plurality of samples on another of the sample supports are struck by laser pulses;
• automatically inputting and outputting each of the sample supports from the sample receiving chamber of the mass spectrometer to the vacuum lock chamber;
• moving each sample support within the sample receiving chamber in both an x direction and a y direction perpendicular to the x direction;
• striking each sample on each sample support while within the receiving chamber with a laser pulse to desorb and ionize sample molecules;
• and
• recording test data in a computer from the mass spectrometer for each of the plurality of samples on the sample support.