Interface device to couple gel electrophoresis with mass spectrometry using sample disruption
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsKenneth L. Busch, Stephen M. Brown, Jr.
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An interface for the direct introduction of a sample taken from a planar electrophoresis into a mass spectrometer or other spectrometric device. The interface comprises a probe to collect a sample from a planar electrophoresis, generally a gel electrophoresis, and a filter and guard column configuration to remove unwanted and unnecessary impurities and excess solvent, and to concentrate the sample prior to introduction to the mass spectrometer.
Claims27
A method of introducing band samples from planar electrophoresis having at least one surface into a spectrometric device which comprises the steps of:
- a) providing a solvent if necessary;
- b) delivering said solvent to the surface of said electropherogram;
- c) disrupting said electropherogram so as to release a sample from within said electropherogram into said solvent;
- and
- d) transferring said sample containing solvent into a spectrometric device.
A method of introducing a sample from a planar gel electropherogram into a spectrometric device, which comprises the steps of:
- a) providing a planar gel electropherogram having a surface containing sample bands to be analyzed;
- b) isolating the surface of a section of said electropherogram;
- c) providing a solvent and delivering said solvent to the initial surface of said electropherogram;
- d) disrupting said isolated surface thereby releasing a sample from within said electropherogram so that it can be taken up into said solvent;
- and
- e) transferring said sample containing solvent into said spectrometric device.
A system for introducing sample to a spectrometric device comprising:
- a) a sample removal means comprising a solvent introduction means for introducing a solvent to the sample, a sample disruption means for disrupting the sample so as to release molecules of the sample into the solvent, and a sample withdrawal means for withdrawing said sample containing solvent from the sample;
- and
- b) an introduction means for transferring said sample containing solvent from said sample removal means and introducing said sample containing solvent into said spectrometric device.
A system for introducing a sample taken from a planar electropherogram into a mass spectrometer comprising:
- a) means for providing a solvent;
- b) means for delivering said solvent to the surface of said planar electrophoresis;
- c) means for disrupting the surface of said planar electrophoresis and mixing said solvent with said disrupted surface of said planar electrophoresis;
- d) means for removing a portion of said mixture of said solvent and said disrupted surface of said planar electrophoresis;
- and
- e) means for introducing said sample to said mass spectrometer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.