Pneumatic nebulizing interface to convert an analyte-containing fluid stream into an aerosol, method for using same and instruments including same

A self-adjusting nebulizer apparatus comprising:

• a sample inlet having a first flow resistance and supporting a sample flow where the sample flow includes an analyte;
• a sheath fluid inlet having a second flow resistance and supporting a sheath fluid flow;
• a nebulizing gas inlet supporting a gas flow;
• and
• an orifice through which the sample flow, the sheath flow and the gas flow exit to form an aerosol,
• where the sample inlet, the sheath fluid inlet and the gas inlet terminate at or near the orifice, the second flow resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first flow resistance and the first flow and the second flow combine to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet.

A self-adjusting nebulizer apparatus comprising:

• a first fluid inlet having a first resistance to fluid flow and supporting a first fluid flow;
• a second fluid inlet having a second resistance to fluid flow and supporting a second fluid flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle downstream of the first inlet and second fluid inlet;
• a gap connecting the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet and the nebulizer nozzle;
• and
• a gas inlet tube having an orifice at its distal end,
• where:
• the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet;
• and
• the gas and combined fluid flow form an aerosol upon exiting the orifice.

A self-adjusting nebulizer apparatus comprising:

• a first member including a distal end and having a first resistance to fluid flow and supporting a first fluid flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle including a proximal end and a distal end;
• a gap separating the distal end of the first member from the proximal end of the nozzle;
• a second member having a second resistance to fluid flow and supporting a second fluid flow and including an inlet and an outlet associated with the gap;
• and
• a third member supporting a gas flow and including an orifice at its distal end,
• where:
• the distal end of the nozzle is located at or near the orifice;
• the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• and
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction on the first member.

A method for forming an aerosol comprising:

• supplying a first flow, a second flow and a gas flow to a nebulizer comprising:
• a first fluid inlet having a first resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the first flow;
• a second fluid inlet having a second resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the second flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle downstream of the first inlet and second fluid inlet;
• a gap connecting the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet and the nebulizer nozzle;
• and
• a gas inlet tube having an orifice at its distal end and adapted to receive the gas flow,
• where the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet;
• and the gas and combined fluid flow form an aerosol upon exiting the orifice;
• and
• forming an aerosol from the gas flow and the combined flow.

A method for spraying a substrate with an aerosol comprising:

• supplying a first flow, a second flow and a gas flow to a nebulizer comprising:
• a first fluid inlet having a first resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the first flow;
• a second fluid inlet having a second resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the second flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle downstream of the first inlet and second fluid inlet;
• a gap connecting the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet and the nebulizer nozzle;
• and
• a gas inlet tube having an orifice at its distal end and adapted to receive the gas flow,
• where the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet;
• and the gas and combined fluid flow form an aerosol upon exiting the orifice;
• forming an aerosol from the gas flow and the combined flow;
• and
• directing the aerosol onto a surface of the substrate.

A method for oxidizing oxidizable components in an aerosol comprising:

• supplying a first flow comprising a liquid including oxidizable components, a second flow comprising sheath liquid and a gas flow comprising an oxidizing agent to a nebulizer comprising:
• a first fluid inlet having a first resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the first flow;
• a second fluid inlet having a second resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the second flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle downstream of the first inlet and second fluid inlet;
• a gap connecting the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet and the nebulizer nozzle;
• and
• a gas inlet tube having an orifice at its distal end and adapted to receive the gas flow,
• where the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet;
• and the gas and combined fluid flow form an aerosol upon exiting the orifice;
• forming an aerosol from the gas flow and the combined flow;
• and
• directing the aerosol into an oxidizing zone, where a portion of the oxidizable components in the first flow are converted into their corresponding oxides.

A method for detecting oxidizable components in an aerosol comprising:

• supplying a first flow comprising a liquid including oxidizable components, a second flow comprising sheath liquid and a gas flow comprising an oxidizing agent to a nebulizer comprising:
• a first fluid inlet having a first resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the first flow;
• a second fluid inlet having a second resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the second flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle downstream of the first inlet and second fluid inlet;
• a gap connecting the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet and the nebulizer nozzle;
• and
• a gas inlet tube having an orifice at its distal end and adapted to receive the gas flow,
• where the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet;
• and the gas and combined fluid flow form an aerosol upon exiting the orifice;
• forming an aerosol from the gas flow and the combined flow;
• directing the aerosol into an oxidizing zone, where a portion of the oxidizable components in the first flow are converted into their corresponding oxides to form a oxidized flow;
• and
• detecting at least one oxide in the oxidized flow in a detector.

A method for separating and detecting oxidizable components in an aerosol comprising:

• separating a first flow into components within the flow in a sample separation apparatus, where the first flow comprises a liquid comprising oxidizable components;
• supplying the first flow, a second flow comprising sheath liquid and a gas flow comprising an oxidizing agent to a nebulizer comprising:
• a first fluid inlet having a first resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the first flow;
• a second fluid inlet having a second resistance to fluid flow and adapted to receive the second flow;
• a nebulizer nozzle downstream of the first inlet and second fluid inlet;
• a gap connecting the first fluid inlet, the second fluid inlet and the nebulizer nozzle;
• and
• a gas inlet tube having an orifice at its distal end and adapted to receive the gas flow,
• where the second resistance is substantially negligible with respect to the first resistance;
• the first flow and the second flow combine in the gap to form a combined fluid flow having a rate that substantially matches the self-aspiration rate of the apparatus without producing substantial back pressure or suction which results in additional laminar flow-induced band dispersion or broadening in the first fluid inlet;
• and the gas and combined fluid flow form an aerosol upon exiting the orifice;
• forming an aerosol from the gas flow and the combined flow;
• directing the aerosol into an oxidizing zone, where a portion of the oxidizable components in the first flow are converted into their corresponding oxides to form a oxidized flow;
• and
• detecting at least one oxide in the oxidized flow in a detector.