Techniques for controlling distance between a sample and sample probe while such probe liberates analyte from a sample region for analysis with a mass spectrometer
US10134572B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 1, 2016 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2018 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2036 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J49/0459
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system includes a mass spectrometer and associated sample interfacing equipment. The sample interfacing equipment includes a platform structured to support a sample thereon, a fluid source, a high voltage source, a dispensing probe electrically coupled to the high voltage source and defining a fluid dispensing passage therethrough, a collection probe defining a collection passage therethrough, a sensing arrangement coupled to the dispensing probe, and control logic responsive to the sensing arrangement to control distance between the dispensing probe and the sample. The dispensing probe facilitates formation of one or more ionized sample analytes when dispensing the fluid through the dispensing passage proximate to the sample on the platform. The collecting probe receives at least some of the one or more ionized sample analytes to pass through the collection passage into the mass spectrometer for analysis.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.