Flexible open tube sampling system for use with surface ionization technology
First Claim
1. A device for analyzing an analyte comprising:
- a component for generating a plurality of ionizing species; and
a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte;
wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure;
wherein the distal end of the tube is positioned to transfer one or more analyte ions into a mass spectrometer;
wherein the proximal end of the tube is positioned a distance away from the position where the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte such that one or more analyte ions pass through the tube into the mass spectrometer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
150 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A device for analyzing an analyte comprising:
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a component for generating a plurality of ionizing species; and a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte;
wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure;
wherein the distal end of the tube is positioned to transfer one or more analyte ions into a mass spectrometer;
wherein the proximal end of the tube is positioned a distance away from the position where the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte such that one or more analyte ions pass through the tube into the mass spectrometer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A device for analyzing an analyte comprising:
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a DART source for generating a plurality of ionizing species; and a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte;
wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure;
wherein the distal end of the tube is connected to a mass spectrometer;
wherein the proximal end of the tube is positioned approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm away from the position where the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte such that one or more analyte ions pass through the tube into the mass spectrometer.
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21. A device for analyzing an analyte comprising:
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a source for generating a plurality of ionizing species; a tube with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte;
wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure;
wherein the distal end of the tube is positioned to transfer one or more analyte ions into a mass spectrometer;
wherein the proximal end of the tube is positioned a distance away from the position where the plurality of ionizing species are directed at the analyte such that one or more analyte ions pass through the tube into the mass spectrometer;an inner surface of the tube; a device for positioning the analyte on a reference position; and a device for locating the reference position and positioning the inner surface relative to the reference position to analyze the analyte.
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Specification