Interface between liquid flow and mass spectrometer
US5917184A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 29, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J49/165
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An interface apparatus for introducing a sample for analysis from a liquid flow into a mass spectrometer as a plurality of charged droplets is disclosed. The interface apparatus includes interface body which defines a spray chamber and an orifice, a spray means defining a liquid-flow inlet channel and an excess-sample-flow exit channel and having an open end disposed inside the spray chamber, and a voltage device for applying a voltage to the sample to form a plurality of charged droplets. The charged droplets pass through the orifice in the interface body and are introduced into a mass spectrometer for analysis. The interface includes a valve for regulating the flow of sample into the sample inlet channel and a device for imposing a pressure gradient on the sample at the open end which induces the sample to flow from the sample inlet channel through the excess sample outlet channel.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.