Multiple liquid flow electrospray interface
US6274867A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 28, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 14, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 28, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH01J49/0431
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus for electrospray ionization of a liquid sample matrix to prepare the sample for introduction into a mass spectrometer. The inventive electrospray interface is arranged between a source of a liquid sample matrix and an electrospray ionization needle. The interface includes a central chamber which contains elements for passively mixing the liquid sample flow with a modifying liquid added to the central chamber through a side channel. The side channel is isolated from the central chamber by a flow restrictor and the modifying liquid is provided to the side channel through a valve. A second valve, side channel, and flow restrictor are used to permit introduction of a calibration fluid into the central chamber through the first side channel. The inventive interface permits mixing of a modifying liquid with the liquid sample matrix to assist in nebulization of the liquid sample by reducing the surface tension of the sample containing fluid.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.