System and method for the acoustic loading of an analytical instrument using a continuous flow sampling probe
US11637006B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 24, 2021 |
| Grant date | Apr 25, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 20, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB01L2400/0439
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method are provided for loading a sample into an analytical instrument using acoustic droplet ejection (“ADE”) in combination with a continuous flow sampling probe. An acoustic droplet ejector is used to eject small droplets of a fluid sample containing an analyte into the sampling tip of a continuous flow sampling probe, where the acoustically ejected droplet combines with a continuous, circulating flow stream of solvent within the flow probe. Fluid circulation within the probe transports the sample through a sample transport capillary to an outlet that directs the analyte away from the probe to an analytical instrument, e.g., a device that detects the presence, concentration quantity, and/or identity of the analyte. When the analytical instrument is a mass spectrometer or other type of device requiring the analyte to be in ionized form, the exiting droplets pass through an ionization region, e.g., an electrospray ion source, prior to entering the mass spectrometer or other analytical instrument. The method employs active flow control and enables real-time kinetic measurements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.