Method and apparatus for a nanoelectrosprayer for use in mass spectrometry
AssigneeBruker Daltonics, Inc.
InventorsMelvin A. Park, Houle Wang
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention provides a nanospray means and method for use in mass analysis instruments. Specifically, a nanospray assembly is composed in part of a base, union, retainer, and nanospray needle, and an entrance cap, first capillary section, and union. Adjustments to the position of the nanospray needle within this assembly are made independent of the remainder of the ion source. The nanospray assembly is integrated with the remainder of the source by joining the first capillary section (of the nanospray assembly) with a second capillary section which is fixed in the body of the source.
Claims24
An apparatus for introducing sample ions into a mass spectrometer, said apparatus comprising:
- a housing configured for removably interfacing with an entrance orifice of a first vacuum region of a mass spectrometer such that said ions introduced through said entrance orifice are further introduced into and through a capillary into said vacuum region of said mass spectrometer;
- a spray needle assembly positioned within said housing, said assembly including a needle with an outer surface and a means for adjustably positioning said needle within said assembly;
- and
- a means for securing a capillary within said housing in coaxial alignment with said spray needle assembly, said capillary having a first end for receiving sample ions from said needle and a second end for delivering said sample ions into said entrance orifice;
- wherein at least one of said needle and said means for securing said capillary has a potential applied thereto for establishing a potential difference therebetween, and wherein said potential difference ionizes said sample.
A method for introducing sample ions into a mass spectrometer, said method comprising the steps of:
- introdueing a sample from a spray needle assembly to an entrance cap of a capillary, said assembly including a needle with an outer surface and a means for adjustably positioning a needle within said assembly;
- ionizing a sample with an ionization source, said source including a housing configured for removably interfacing with an entrance orifice of a first vacuum region of a mass spectrometer such that said ions introduced through said orifice are further introduced into and through a capillary into a vacuum region of a mass spectrometer;
- accelerating said ions through said entrance cap into capillary channel by applying a potential difference across said entrance cap and said spray needle tip;
- cooling said ions to thermal velocities upon exiting said capillary channel;
- and
- sending said cooled ions to said mass spectrometer for mass analysis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.