High resolution sampling system for use with surface ionization technology
First Claim
1. A method for analyzing an analyte comprising:
- directing a plurality of ionizing species at an analyte; and
orienting a tube relative to the analyte and the plurality of ionizing species;
wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure, wherein ions formed from the analyte are transferred through the tube into a 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.
143 Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for analyzing an analyte comprising:
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directing a plurality of ionizing species at an analyte; and orienting a tube relative to the analyte and the plurality of ionizing species; wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure, wherein ions formed from the analyte are transferred through the tube into a mass spectrometer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A system for analyzing an analyte comprising:
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a spectrometer; an apparatus for positioning the analyte, wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure; an apparatus for orienting one or more tubes around the analyte, wherein the one or more tubes have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the one or more tubes is directed toward the analyte and the distal end of the one or more tubes is directed toward the spectrometer; and an apparatus for generating a plurality of ionizing species, wherein the apparatus directs the plurality of ionizing species at the analyte, wherein the plurality of ionizing species form analyte ions, wherein the analyte ions enter the proximal end and exit the distal end of the one or more tubes, wherein the analyte ions enter the spectrometer and are analyzed. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A system for analyzing an analyte comprising:
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a spectrometer; an apparatus for positioning the analyte, wherein the analyte is at approximately atmospheric pressure; an apparatus for orienting one or more tubes around the analyte, wherein the one or more tubes have a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the proximal end of the one or more tubes is directed toward the analyte and the distal end of the one or more tubes is directed toward the spectrometer, wherein one or more of the tubes is comprised of two or more segments;
wherein the segment which constitutes the proximal end of the tube is the proximal segment and the segment which constitutes the distal end of the tube is the distal segment;
wherein the proximal segment of the tube has a smaller inner diameter than the distal segment of between;a lower limit of 1% of the inside diameter of the distal segment; and an upper limit of approximately 50% of the inside diameter of the distal segment; and an apparatus for generating a plurality of ionizing species, wherein the apparatus directs the plurality of ionizing species at the analyte, wherein the plurality of ionizing species form analyte ions, wherein the analyte ions enter the proximal segment and exit the distal segment of the one or more tubes, wherein the analyte ions enter the spectrometer and are analyzed.
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Specification