Probe for thermospray mass spectrometry
AssigneeThe United States of America, as represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services
InventorSteven M. Musser
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A thermospray probe assembly which allows for easy replacement or exchange the central capillary tube without requiring replacement of the entire probe assembly when the capillary tube becomes degraded and/or clogged. The replaceable capillary tube is secured at a tip end to a tip of the outer tubular member of the probe assembly by a set screw. The other end of the replaceable capillary tube is sealingly secured by a compression fitting in an adapter connected to the outer tubular member.
Claims20
A thermospray probe which comprises:
- an outer tubular housing;
- an adapter, said outer tubular member being connected at one end thereof to one end of said adapter;
- a capillary tube which extends through said adapter and said outer tubular housing, said capillary tube having a tip end which extends to a tip end of said outer tubular housing;
- means for releasibly securing said capillary tube in said adapter;
- and
- means for releasibly securing said tip end of said capillary tube in said tip end of said outer tubular housing.
In a thermospray probe having an outer tubular member and a capillary tube which extends through said outer tubular member, the improvement comprising means to releasibly secure a tip end of said capillary tube to a tip end of said outer housing.
The combination of a thermospray probe and a plurality of interchangeable capillary tubes which comprises:
- an outer tubular housing;
- an adapter, said outer tubular member being connected at one end thereof to one end of said adapter;
- means for releasibly securing one of said plurality of capillary tubes in said adapter;
- and
- means for releasibly securing a tip end of one of said plurality of capillary tubes in said tip end of said outer tubular housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.