Capture probe
AssigneeUT-Battelle, LLC
InventorsVilmos Kertesz, Gary J. Van Berkel
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, which exceeds the first volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid.
Claims20
A method of sampling a surface of a sample for analysis, comprising:
- positioning an open end of a capture probe opposite the sample and in alignment with a device configured for directing sample into the capture probe;
- supplying capture liquid to the open end of the capture probe at a first volumetric flow rate and removing the supplied capture liquid from the open end through a liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the first and second volumetric flow rates are such that the capture liquid enters the liquid exhaust conduit as a vortex;
- imparting radiating energy through the sample using the device configured for directing sample to eject sample material from the surface of the sample towards the open end of the capture probe;
- capturing the ejected sample material with the capture liquid flowing through the liquid exhaust conduit at the open end of the capture probe;
- removing the capture liquid and the captured sample material from the open end of the capture probe;
- and, directing the capture liquid and the sample material towards an inlet of a chemical analysis device and wherein a gas flow containing sample flowing into and through the liquid exhaust conduit creates a gas/liquid interface in the liquid exhaust conduit.
A system for sampling a surface of a sample for analysis, comprising:
- a capture probe including a liquid supply conduit that supplies a capture liquid to an open end of the capture probe at a first volumetric flow rate and a liquid exhaust conduit that removes the capture liquid from the open end of the capture probe at a second volumetric flow rate, wherein the first and second volumetric flow rates are such that the capture liquid enters the liquid exhaust conduit as a vortex and directing the removed capture liquid and any captured sample material to a chemical analysis device, and wherein a gas flow containing sample flowing into and through the liquid exhaust conduit creates a gas/liquid interface in the liquid exhaust conduit;
- a device configured for directing sample operative to direct radiating energy through the sample to impart energy to the sample and to eject the sample material from the surface of the sample towards the open end of the capture probe;
- wherein the open end of the capture probe is positioned opposite the surface of the sample and in alignment with the device configured for directing sample into the sample such that when the device configured for directing sample is energized, radiating energy is directed through the sample to impart energy to the sample and to eject sample material from the surface of the sample towards the open end of the capture probe for capture in capture liquid within the liquid exhaust conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.