Miniaturized fluid transfer device

A pneumatically assisted fluid transfer system, comprising:

• an elongated tube having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• a source supplying analyte at a spaced distance from said inlet end;
• a make-up fluid assembly at said inlet end for supplying make-up fluid having a flow rate to a fluid transfer region adjacent said inlet end of said elongated tube;
• a gas supply assembly for directing gas having a flow rate toward said outlet end of said elongated tube to create suction at said inlet end;
• and,
• means for adjusting the make-up fluid flow rate, the gas flow rate and the spaced distance to form a free-standing junction coupling said inlet end and said source supplying analyte, through which the make-up fluid and the analyte are drawn through said elongated tube to be expelled from said outlet end.

A fluid transfer device, comprising:

• a sprayer tube having an inlet end and an outlet end;
• an adjustable fluid flow apparatus producing suction at said inlet end;
• a source supplying analyte at a spaced distance from said inlet end;
• a liquid supply tube at said inlet end for supplying a make-up liquid to said inlet end;
• means for adjusting the fluid flow, the make-up liquid flow and the spaced distance whereby the analyte and the make-up liquid are drawn into said inlet end by said suction via a free-standing liquid junction formed at said inlet end resulting from adjusting said fluid flow, make-up fluid flow and spaced distance.

A fluid transfer system, comprising:

• an electrosprayer including,
• a sprayer tube having an inlet end and an outlet end,
• an adjustable applied voltage,
• a make-up fluid source having an adjustable flow rate at the inlet end, and
• a fluid flow apparatus having an adjustable flow rate at the outlet end for producing suction at the inlet end;
• a source of analyte provided a spaced distance from the inlet end;
• means for adjusting the gas flow rate, the make-up liquid flow rate, the applied voltage, and the spaced distance;
• and,
• a free-standing liquid junction formed to couple the electrosprayer and the source of analyte as the result of adjusting the gas flow rate, the make-up liquid flow rate, the applied voltage, and the spaced distance, whereby the make-up fluid and the analyte are drawn into the inlet end of the sprayer tube via the produced suction.

A method of forming a fluid transfer system, comprising the steps of:

• providing an electrosprayer having an adjustable nebulizing gas flow rate, an adjustable applied voltage source, an inlet end and an outlet end;
• providing a make-up fluid having an adjustable flow rate;
• supplying a source of analyte at a spaced distance from the inlet end;
• and,
• adjusting the gas flow rate, the make-up liquid flow rate, the applied voltage, and the spaced distance to form a free-standing junction coupling the electrosprayer and the source of analyte, through which the make-up fluid and the analyte are drawn into the inlet end of the electrosprayer.

A fluid transfer system, comprising:

• an electrosprayer having an adjustable nebulizing gas flow rate, an adjustable applied voltage, an inlet end and an outlet end;
• a make-up fluid source having an adjustable flow rate;
• a source of analyte provided at a spaced distance from the inlet end;
• and,
• means for adjusting the gas flow rate, the make-up liquid flow rate, the applied voltage, and the spaced distance to form a free-standing junction coupling the electrosprayer and the source of analyte, through which the make-up fluid and the analyte are drawn into the inlet end of the electrosprayer.