# US 12,763,307 B2 · Sample analysis > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,763,307 B2 - Document ID: US12763307B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/260,285 - Filed: 2022-01-05 - Published: 2024-09-05 - Granted: 2026-10-13 - Earliest claimed: 2021-01-05 - Assignees: Micromass UK Limited - Applicants: Micromass UK Limited - Inventors: Emrys Jones; Steven Derek Pringle; Michael Raymond Morris - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12763307B2 ## CPC - H01J 49/167: {Capillaries and nozzles specially adapted therefor; (electrostatic spraying per se B05B5/00)} - H01J 49/0031: {Step by step routines describing the use of the apparatus (H01J49/0081 takes precedence)} - H01J 49/022: {Circuit arrangements, e.g. for generating deviation currents or voltages (regulating electric or magnetic variables in general, e.g. current, magnetic field G05F); Components associated with high voltage supply (high voltage supply per se H02M)} - H01J 49/0445: {with means for introducing as a spray, a jet or an aerosol (electrospray ion sources H01J49/165)} - H01J 49/049: {with means for applying heat to desorb the sample; Evaporation} - H01J 49/165: {Electrospray ionisation} - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## Abstract A method of analysing a sample is disclosed in which a solvent emitting capillary is brought into contact with, or proximate to, a sample such that analyte from the sample is absorbed by solvent emitted from the capillary. A voltage is applied to the such that charged droplets of the solvent comprising the analyte from the sample are emitted from the capillary. The charged droplets are caused to be drawn into one or more sampling conduits connected to an atmospheric interface of an analytical instrument. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of analysing a sample, the method comprising: providing a capillary having an outlet at a first end; supplying a flow of solvent to the capillary such that solvent is emitted from the outlet of the capillary; bringing the sample and the first end of the capillary into contact with, or proximate to, each other such that analyte from the sample is absorbed by solvent emitted from the outlet of the capillary; applying a voltage to the solvent such that charged droplets of the solvent comprising the analyte from the sample are emitted from the first end of the capillary; and causing the charged droplets to be drawn into one or more sampling conduits connected to an atmospheric interface of an analytical instrument; wherein the capillary is housed by a housing; wherein the one or more sampling conduits comprise one or more inlets that are connected to a rotatable member that is rotatably connected to the housing such that the one or more inlets can move relative to the first end of the capillary between at least a first position in which the one or more inlets are positioned away from the first end of the capillary, and a second position in which the one or more inlets are positioned downstream of the first end of the capillary by rotating the rotatable member; and wherein causing the charged droplets to be drawn into the one or more sampling conduits comprises rotating the rotatable member. ### Claim 2 A method of analysing a sample, the method comprising: providing a capillary having an outlet at a first end; supplying a flow of solvent to the capillary such that solvent is emitted from the outlet of the capillary; bringing the sample and the first end of the capillary into contact with, or proximate to, each other such that analyte from the sample collects around the first end of the capillary; separating the sample and the first end of the capillary, and applying a voltage to the solvent such that charged droplets of the solvent comprising the analyte from the sample are emitted from the first end of the capillary; and causing the charged droplets to be drawn into one or more sampling conduits connected to an atmospheric interface of an analytical instrument; wherein the capillary is housed by a housing that forms a handle, the first end of the capillary is arranged at a distal end of the housing, and the one or more sampling conduits extend from the housing from a proximal end of the housing; wherein the one or more sampling conduits comprise one or more inlets, the first end of the capillary and/or the one or more inlets are moveable between at least a first position in which the one or more inlets are positioned away from the first end of the capillary, and a second position in which the one or more inlets are positioned downstream of the first end of the capillary; and wherein causing the charged droplets to be drawn into the one or more sampling conduits comprises moving the first end of the capillary and/or the one or more inlets into the second position such that the charged droplets emitted from the first end of the capillary are drawn into the one or more sampling conduits through the one or more inlets. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising bringing the sample and the first end of the capillary into contact with, or proximate to, each other without applying the voltage, then separating the sample and the first end of the capillary, and then applying the voltage. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the charged droplets are emitted from the first end of the capillary as a spray, and a nebulising gas is not used to form the spray. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the charged droplets of the solvent comprising the analyte from the sample do not impact the sample after being emitted from the first end of the capillary. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the capillary is connected to the housing such that the first end of the capillary can move relative to the one or more inlets between the first and second positions, wherein in the first position the first end of the capillary extends out of the housing, and in the second position the first end of the capillary is arranged within the housing. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, wherein the one or more inlets are connected to a rotatable member that is rotatably connected to the housing such that the one or more inlets can move relative to the first end of the capillary between the first and second positions by rotating the rotatable member; wherein moving the first end of the capillary and/or the one or more inlets into the second position comprises rotating the rotatable member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the rotatable member forms a cover for the first end of the capillary when it is in the second position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The method of claim 2, comprising causing evaporation of the charged droplets such that analyte ions are released, and wherein the analytical instrument analyses the analyte ions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein causing evaporation of the charged droplets comprises heating the charged droplets. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, comprising using the analysis of the analyte ions to classify the sample, optionally substantially in real time. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer and/or an ion mobility spectrometer. ### Claim 13 An apparatus for analysing a sample, the apparatus comprising: a capillary comprising a bore that runs centrally along a longitudinal axis of the capillary and forms an outlet at a first end of the capillary; a solvent supply line configured to supply a flow of solvent to the capillary such that solvent passes through the bore of the capillary and is emitted from the outlet of the capillary; a conductor configured to apply a voltage to solvent supplied to the capillary by the solvent supply line such that charged droplets of the solvent are emitted from the first end of the capillary; one or more sampling conduits connectable to an atmospheric interface of an analytical instrument, wherein the one or more sampling conduits comprise one or more inlets, wherein the one or more inlets are moveable relative to the first end of the capillary and/or the first end of the capillary is moveable relative to the one or more inlets, and wherein the one or more inlets are configured to receive charged droplets emitted from the first end of the capillary when positioned downstream of the first end of the capillary; a housing for the capillary; and a moveable member moveably connected to the housing, wherein the capillary and/or the one or more sampling conduits are connected to the moveable member such that the first end of the capillary and/or the one or more inlets can move between a first position in which the one or more inlets are positioned away from the first end of the capillary, and a second position in which the one or more inlets are positioned downstream of the first end of the capillary; wherein the housing forms a handle, wherein the first end of the capillary is arranged at a distal end of the housing, and the solvent supply line and the one or more sampling conduits extend from the housing from a proximal end of the housing. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, configured such that the charged droplets are emitted from the first end of the capillary as a spray by providing the solvent to the capillary and without the use of a nebulising gas. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the apparatus is configured such that charged droplets received by the one or more inlets evaporate such that analyte ions are released, and wherein the analytical instrument is configured to analyse the released analyte ions, optionally wherein the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer and/or ion mobility spectrometer.