Acoustic sample introduction for analysis and/or processing

A device for preparing a contiguous sample surface for analysis:

• a reservoir holding an analysis-enhancing fluid;
• an ejector comprising an acoustic radiation generator for generating acoustic radiation and a focusing means for focusing the acoustic radiation at a focal point near the surface of the analysis-enhancing fluid;
• and
• a means for positioning the ejector in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir to eject a droplet of the analysis-enhancing fluid therefrom;
• a sample having a designated site on a contiguous surface thereof adapted to receive a droplet of the analysis-enhancing fluid from the reservoir, wherein the designated site contains an analyte molecule;
• a mean for positioning the sample so that designated site on the contiguous sample surface is placed in droplet-receiving relationship to the reservoir, thereby allowing deposition of the analysis-enhancing fluid thereon;
• and
• a mean for applying energy to the designated site in a manner sufficient to ionize the analyte molecule and to release the analyte molecule from the designated site for analysis.

A method for preparing a contiguous sample surface for analysis, comprising:

• (a) providing a reservoir holding an analysis-enhancing fluid;
• (b) providing a sample having a contiguous surface such that a designated site thereon is placed in droplet-receiving relationship to the fluid holding reservoir;
• and
• (c) applying focused acoustic energy in a manner effective to eject a droplet of the analysis-enhancing fluid from the reservoir such that the droplet is deposited on the sample surface at the designated site;
• and
• (d) subjecting the sample to conditions sufficient to allow the analysis-enhancing fluid to interact with the sample surface at the designated site to render the sample surface at the designated site suitable for analysis.