Capillary assembly for mass spectrometer, and mass spectrometer

Abstract

The present invention relates to a capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer, and a mass spectrometer. The capillary assembly comprises: a main body, which has an axially extending tubular passage; an outlet end component, which is connected to the main body, such that a tubular passage of the outlet end component is aligned and communicates with the tubular passage of the main body, wherein the main body can axially move relative to the outlet end component between a first position and a second position; an elastic sealing member, which is disposed between the main body and the outlet end component and has an opening that is closed under pressure, the opening being aligned and communicating with the tubular passages of the main body and the outlet end component; and a capillary, which is removably mounted in the tubular passages of the main body and the outlet end component and runs through the opening of the elastic sealing member. When the main body is in the first position relative to the outlet end component, the opening of the elastic sealing member remains open; and when the main body is in the second position relative to the outlet end component, the opening of the elastic sealing member closes to form an axial seal between the main body and the outlet end component.

Description

Capillary assembly for mass spectrometer and mass spectrometer TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of mass spectrometers, and in particular, to a capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer and a mass spectrometer having the same. BACKGROUND

[0002] Capillary sampling is a common sampling method in mass spectrometry, which samples from the atmospheric pressure to the vacuum environment in the mass spectrometer through a capillary, so as to achieve a smooth transition between the atmospheric pressure and the vacuum state during sampling.

[0003] However, during sampling, the inner wall of the capillary will be contaminated and accumulate dirt. Therefore, the capillary in the mass spectrometer needs to be maintained regularly, including cleaning the inner wall and replacing the entire capillary when it cannot be cleaned.

[0004] During maintenance, the capillary needs to be removed from the mass spectrometer. During this period, the mass spectrometer usually needs to be shut down and the vacuum needs to be released, and then the vacuum needs to be established again after the maintenance of the capillary is completed. In the long run, not only the service life of the related components will be shortened, but in most cases, the instrument also needs to be recalibrated (tuned), which undoubtedly affects the continuous operation efficiency of the instrument and increases the use and maintenance cost of the user.

[0005] In another solution, a "vacuum lock" device can be additionally provided on the mass spectrometer, so that the vacuum state inside the mass spectrometer can be maintained after the capillary is removed from the mass spectrometer. However, the mass spectrometer with the vacuum lock device has a complex structure and high cost.

[0006] In addition, the existing capillary for sampling of the mass spectrometer has an outer diameter of more than 5 mm and a complex manufacturing process, and its cleaning process is quite complex and time-consuming, and the replacement cost is very high when the cleaning is ineffective.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] The purpose of the present application is to provide a capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer, which does not need to release the vacuum during maintenance and does not need to use an additional complex vacuum lock device.

[0009] According to one aspect of the application, there is provided a capillary assembly comprising: a body having an axially extending tubular passage; an outlet end piece having a tubular passage and connected to the body such that the tubular passage of the outlet end piece is in aligned communication with the tubular passage of the body, wherein the body is axially movable relative to the outlet end piece between a first position and a second position; a resilient seal disposed between the body and the outlet end piece and having a pressurized closed opening in aligned communication with the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece; and a capillary tube removably mounted in the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece and disposed through the opening of the resilient seal, wherein when the body is in the first position relative to the outlet end piece, the opening of the resilient seal remains open, and when the body is in the second position relative to the outlet end piece, the opening of the resilient seal is closed and forms an axial seal between the body and the outlet end piece.

[0010] In one aspect, in the event that maintenance is required of the capillary assembly, the body can be moved away from the outlet end piece to the first position, such that the opening of the resilient seal remains open, and the capillary tube in the capillary assembly can be moved through the opening of the resilient seal in order to remove the capillary tube from the capillary assembly.

[0011] In another aspect, during removal of the capillary tube, particularly just as the capillary tube is being removed from the opening of the resilient seal, the body can be manipulated to move towards the outlet end piece to the second position, such that the opening of the resilient seal is closed and forms an axial seal between the body and the outlet end piece, and the vacuum within the mass spectrometer is maintained even as the capillary tube is completely removed.

[0012] Thus, during maintenance of the capillary assembly, or during replacement of the capillary tube in the capillary assembly, the vacuum environment within the mass spectrometer is sealed by the structure of the capillary assembly itself.

[0013] Preferably, the outlet end piece and the body are connected by a threaded connection, and axial movement between the body and the outlet end piece is achieved by relative rotation.

[0014] In one embodiment, one of the body and the outlet end piece is provided at an end with a first externally extending threaded section provided with external threads; the other of the body and the outlet end piece is provided at an end with a first internally extending threaded section provided with internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the first externally threaded section. Preferably, the first externally threaded section is provided at its end or the first internally threaded section is provided at its bottom with a recess for accommodating the resilient seal. More preferably, the recess has a depth less than the height of the resilient seal.

[0015] Preferably, the body and the outlet end piece are circular tubular and have equal maximum outer diameters, and the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece have equal inner diameters. Thereby, both the smooth insertion of the capillary assembly into the mass spectrometer and the smooth insertion of the capillary into the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece are facilitated. On the other hand, existing capillaries also have a uniform outer diameter, and the capillary assembly of the present invention thereby can be realized in a uniform size with existing capillaries, so as to seamlessly replace existing capillaries without the need to modify conventional mass spectrometers.

[0016] Preferably, the outlet end piece is provided at an end distal from the body with an ion exit and a conically tapering portion, and the outer diameter of the capillary is less than the inner diameter of the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece but greater than the inner diameter of the ion exit. Thereby, the capillary can be inserted into the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece until it reaches the conically tapering portion.

[0017] Preferably, the body and the outlet end piece are provided at the entry side of the capillary with a guide for guiding the capillary, so as to facilitate the smooth insertion of the capillary.

[0018] Preferably, the outlet end piece is fixed in the mass spectrometer. Thereby, axial movement between the body and the outlet end piece is realized by operating only the body.

[0019] Preferably, the body comprises a middle section made of an insulating material and end sections made of a metallic material at both ends, the middle section and the end sections being connected in a non-rotatable manner. More preferably, the middle section is provided at both ends with a boss, the end sections are provided at an end facing the middle section with a recess for accommodating the boss, and the boss and the recess are fixedly connected in an adhesive or interference fit.

[0020] Preferably, the capillary assembly further comprises an inlet end piece having a tubular passage and being connected to an end of the body distal from the outlet end piece such that the tubular passage of the inlet end piece is in aligned communication with the tubular passage of the body.

[0021] In one embodiment, one of the body and the inlet end piece is provided at an end with a second externally extending threaded section, which is provided with external threads; the other of the body and the inlet end piece is provided at an end with a second internally extending threaded section, which is provided with internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the second externally threaded section.

[0022] Preferably, the inlet end piece is provided at an end distal from the body with an ion inlet and a conically tapering section, the outer diameter of the capillary being smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular passage of the inlet end piece but larger than the inner diameter of the ion inlet.

[0023] Preferably, the inlet end piece is provided on an end face of the second externally threaded section with a guide for guiding the capillary.

[0024] Preferably, the capillary is a flexible quartz capillary having an outer diameter of not more than 2.5 mm. Flexible quartz capillaries are suitable for mass production and are inexpensive, and have excellent dimensional accuracy in this size range. The cost of replacing such a capillary is therefore much lower than the cost of replacing existing capillaries, and also lower than the cost of cleaning existing capillaries, without the need for time-consuming and laborious cleaning. Thus, maintenance by direct replacement of such a capillary offers both cost and efficiency advantages.

[0025] Preferably, the capillary is provided with a mark for indicating that the capillary is completely removed from the opening of the elastic seal.

[0026] Preferably, the elastic seal is an O-ring made of an elastomer material.

[0027] According to another aspect of the application, a mass spectrometer is proposed, which has a capillary assembly as described above, wherein one end of the body of the capillary assembly is in communication with an atmospheric pressure environment outside the mass spectrometer, and the other end of the body is in communication with a vacuum environment inside the mass spectrometer via an outlet end piece.

[0028] Preferably, the capillary assembly is inserted into the mass spectrometer through an opening of the mass spectrometer, and the outlet end piece is locked in a direction of rotation about the main axis of the capillary assembly by a fixing of the mass spectrometer. A seal ring used in a conventional mass spectrometer can be used as such a fixing, so that the capillary assembly seamlessly replaces an existing capillary in a conventional mass spectrometer without the need for modifications to the conventional mass spectrometer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0029] For a better understanding of the above-mentioned and other objects, features, and advantages of the present application, reference should be made to the preferred embodiments thereof, which are shown in the accompanying drawings. The same reference numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar components. It is to be understood that the figures are schematically illustrate the preferred embodiments of the present application and, therefore, are not to be construed as being to scale of the various components thereof.

[0030] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer according to the present application;

[0031] Figure 2a shows a front view of a resilient seal of the capillary assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 2b shows a side view of the resilient seal of the capillary assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0033] Figures 3 to 6 show schematic views of various different stages of removal of a capillary from the capillary assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer according to the present application;

[0035] Figure 8 shows a detailed view of a middle section of the body of the capillary assembly of Figure 7;

[0036] Figure 9 shows a detailed view of a first end section of the body of the capillary assembly of Figure 7;

[0037] Figure 10 shows a detailed view of a second end section of the body of the capillary assembly of Figure 7;

[0038] Figure 11 shows a detailed view of an outlet end piece of the capillary assembly of Figures 1 and 7; and

[0039] Figure 12 shows a detailed view of an inlet end piece of the capillary assembly of Figures 1 and 7. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] Reference will now be made in detail to the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The preferred embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and not limiting to the scope of the present application as set forth in the claims. Other embodiments of the application, having different structures and / or sequence of steps, are also intended to fall within the scope of the present application.

[0041] Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a first embodiment of a capillary assembly 100 for a mass spectrometer 200 according to the present application, wherein the capillary assembly 100 is inserted into the mass spectrometer 200 from an opening 210 of the mass spectrometer 200 and is locked by a fixing member 220. The fixing member 220 can for example be a sealing ring as used in conventional mass spectrometers. By using the original components of a conventional mass spectrometer for the fixation, the capillary assembly 100 can seamlessly replace the existing capillary for use in a conventional mass spectrometer without any modification of the conventional mass spectrometer.

[0042] In this embodiment, the capillary assembly 100 comprises a main body 110, an outlet end piece 120, an inlet end piece 130, an elastic seal 140 and a capillary 150, wherein the main body 110 is connected with the outlet end piece 120 at one end close to the vacuum environment of the mass spectrometer 200 and with the inlet end piece 130 at the other end close to the atmospheric environment.

[0043] The main body 110, the outlet end piece 120 and the inlet end piece 130 are each substantially cylindrical and have an axially extending tubular passage 111, 121 and 131, respectively, wherein the main body 110 and the outlet end piece 120 have the same maximum outer diameter and the inlet end piece 130 has an outer diameter slightly larger than the maximum outer diameter of the main body 110 and the outlet end piece 120, and the inner diameters of the tubular passages 111, 121 and 131 are the same. The tubular passage 111 of the main body 110 is in alignment and communication with the tubular passage 121 of the outlet end piece 120 and the tubular passage 131 of the inlet end piece 130. The elastic seal 140 is arranged between the main body 110 and the outlet end piece 120 and has a pressurized closed opening 142 in alignment and communication with the tubular passages 111, 121 of the main body 110 and the outlet end piece 120. The capillary 150 is arranged in the tubular passages 111, 121, 131 of the main body 110, the outlet end piece 120 and the inlet end piece 130 and simultaneously passes through the opening 142 of the elastic seal 140.

[0044] The capillary is preferably made of an elastic quartz capillary with an outer diameter of not more than 2.5 mm. This material has a good economy, is suitable for mass production, has a very low replacement cost and has an excellent dimensional accuracy.

[0045] Figures 2a and 2b show detailed views of the elastic seal 140 of the capillary assembly 100 of Figure 1. As can be seen from the figures, the elastic seal 140 is configured as an O-ring having a wire diameter d, an outer diameter D, and an inner diameter s, i.e. the diameter of the opening 142. Preferably, the inner diameter s is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the capillary 150. Upon compression in axial direction, the elastic seal 140 deforms such that the opening 142 closes and a sealing structure is formed. Upon removal of the compression in axial direction, the elastic seal 140 recovers its original dimensions. Thus, the elastic seal 140 is preferably made of an elastomeric material, such as perfluorinated rubber. Instead of an O-ring, the elastic seal 140 can also be configured as a seal of another shape. Preferably, the opening 142 is arranged centrally on the elastic seal 140, so that the deformation at the opening 142 upon compression of the elastic seal 140 can be more uniform and thus a good sealing effect is obtained.

[0046] Figures 3 to 6 show schematic views of various different stages of removing the capillary from the capillary assembly of Figure 1, wherein the body 110 is axially movable relative to the outlet end piece 120 between a first position as shown in Figures 4 and 5 and a second position as shown in Figures 1, 3 and 6. In the present embodiment, the body 110 is threadedly connected to the outlet end piece 120 and thus axial movement is achieved by relative rotation of the two. Such axial movement can also be achieved in other ways, for example by sliding the body 110 on the outlet end piece 120. Preferably, the outlet end piece 120 can be fixed in the mass spectrometer 200 such that only the body 110 is handled for achieving such axial movement.

[0047] In Figure 1, the body 110 is in the second position relative to the outlet end piece 120, wherein the elastic seal 140 is compressed in axial direction by the body 110 and the outlet end piece 120 such that the material of the elastic seal 140 moves inwardly at the opening 142 and thus tightly against the outer wall of the capillary 150, thereby forming an axial seal between the body 110 and the outlet end piece 120. At the same time, the capillary 150 is also locked in place by the elastic seal 140.

[0048] In Figure 3, the inlet end piece 130 is removed from the body 110 such that the capillary 150 can be accessed and handled. In some embodiments, the inlet end piece 130 can be omitted.

[0049] The body 110 can then be rotated at the handling portion 170 of the body 110 using a tool such as a wrench, so that the body 110 is axially moved relative to the outlet end piece 120 and reaches the position shown in Fig. 4. It is particularly preferred here that the fixing piece 220 is arranged in contact with the outlet end piece 120 in the capillary assembly 100, so that the fixing piece 220 can prevent the outlet end piece 120 from rotating about the main axis L. The rotation of the outlet end piece 120 about the main axis L can also be limited by other rotational locking pieces, for example pins, or a form-fit connection between the outlet end piece 120 and the mass spectrometer 200.

[0050] In Fig. 4, the body 110 is in the first position relative to the outlet end piece 120, at which time there is a local gap 180 between the body 110 and the outlet end piece 120, and thus the elastic seal 140 is given sufficient space between the body 110 and the outlet end piece 120 for the compression forces acting on it in the axial direction to be completely removed and for it to return to its original size. The locking of the capillary 150 caused by the elastic seal 140 is thus released.

[0051] In Fig. 5, the released capillary 150 is partially moved out, wherein the capillary 150 optionally has a marking 152, which can indicate that the capillary 150 is completely moved out of the opening 142 of the elastic seal 140. That is, as the capillary 150 is moved out, when the marking 152 is just visible, it means that the capillary 150 is just completely moved out of the opening 142 of the elastic seal 140.

[0052] When the capillary 150 is just completely moved out of the opening 142 of the elastic seal 140, the body 110 is again rotated at the handling portion 170 of the body 110 using a tool such as a wrench, so that the body 110 is axially moved relative to the outlet end piece 120 and reaches the position shown in Fig. 6.

[0053] In Fig. 6, the body 110 is again in the second position relative to the outlet end piece 120, at which time the elastic seal 140 is pressed in the axial direction by the body 110 and the outlet end piece 120, so that the material of the elastic seal 140 is moved inwards at the opening 142 and finally abuts against each other, so that the opening 142 is completely closed and an axial seal is formed between the body 110 and the outlet end piece 120. In this way, even if the capillary 150 is continued to be removed until it is completely moved out of the body 110, the vacuum environment in the mass spectrometer 200 is not destroyed.

[0054] In the installation process of the capillary 150, the reverse steps are followed.

[0055] First, with the body 110 in the second position, the capillary 150 is inserted into the body 110 until it abuts the resilient seal 140 closing the opening 142 or until the opening 142 is approached by the capillary 150 as indicated by a marking 152 on the capillary 150. Then, the body 110 is moved away from the outlet end piece 120 to the first position. The insertion of the capillary 150 is continued until it is mounted in place, in particular until it cannot be inserted any further. Finally, the body 110 is moved back towards the outlet end piece 120 to the second position, locking the capillary 150.

[0056] Fig. 7 shows a schematic view of a second embodiment of a capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer according to the present application. The difference to the first embodiment is that the body 110 in the first embodiment is here divided into three segments, namely a middle segment 112, a first end segment 114 and a second end segment 116. The middle segment 112 is connected to the first end segment 114 at one end close to the vacuum environment and to the second end segment 116 at the other end close to the atmospheric environment.

[0057] The middle segment 112 is preferably made of an insulating material, for example of glass, plastic or ceramic, in particular preferably of zirconia ceramic.

[0058] The first end segment 114 and the second end segment 116 are preferably made of a metallic, electrically conductive material, for example of stainless steel. Thereby, not only excellent processability is obtained for the manufacture of the connection structure, for example a thread, to the outlet end piece 120 and the inlet end piece 130, but also a voltage can be applied over the two ends of the body 110, namely the first end segment 114 and the second end segment 116, to drive ions from the inlet end to the outlet end.

[0059] Preferably, the middle segment 112 is connected to the first end segment 114 and the second end segment 116 in a non-rotatable manner, for example by means of an interference fit or an adhesive bond.

[0060] Fig. 8 shows a detailed view of the middle segment 112 of the body 110, wherein the middle segment 112 comprises a body 1121 having a maximum outer diameter, a boss 1122 and 1123 extending axially outwardly from both ends of the body 1121 and a duct 1124 extending axially through the middle segment 112. The bosses 1122 and 1123 can be configured as cylindrical or polygonal, for example triangular, quadrangular, hexagonal. The engagement of the polygonal bosses 1122 and 1123 with a correspondingly shaped recess can advantageously achieve the above-mentioned non-rotatable connection.

[0061] Figure 9 shows a detailed view of the first end section 114 of the main body 110, wherein the first end section 114 comprises a body 1141 having a maximum outer diameter, a first externally threaded section 1142 extending axially outwardly from one end of the body 1141, a recess 1143 extending axially inwardly from the other end of the body 1141, and a conduit 1144 extending axially through the first end section 114. The first externally threaded section 1142 of the first end section 114 has an end face provided with a groove 1145 for accommodating the resilient seal 140, the depth h of the groove 1145 being preferably less than the height (i.e. the linear diameter d) of the resilient seal 140. The first externally threaded section 1142 of the first end section 114 is preferably configured as a cylinder having an outer periphery provided with external threads for connecting the outlet end piece 120. The recess 1143 of the first end section 114 is for accommodating and forming a connection with one of the bosses 1122 and 1123 of the intermediate section 112.

[0062] Figure 10 shows a detailed view of the second end section 116 of the main body 110, wherein the second end section 116 comprises a body 1161 having a maximum outer diameter, a second internally threaded section 1162 and a recess 1163 extending axially inwardly from both ends of the body 1161, and a conduit 1164 extending axially through the second end section 116. The second internally threaded section 1162 is preferably configured as a cylindrical cavity having an inner wall provided with internal threads for connecting the inlet end piece 130. The second internally threaded section 1162 also has a reduced diameter lead-in 166 on the end face for guiding the capillary tube 150 into the conduit 1164 of the second end section 116 when the capillary tube 150 is installed. The second end section 116 is also provided with a handle 170 on the outer wall of one side of the second internally threaded section 1162 for tool operation, which can be configured as two opposing parallel surfaces for facilitating the operation of a spanner. The handle 170 is exposed outside the opening 210 of the mass spectrometer 200 when the capillary tube assembly 100 is fully inserted into the mass spectrometer 200. The recess 1163 of the second end section 116 is for accommodating and forming a connection with the other of the bosses 1122 and 1123 of the intermediate section 112.

[0063] Preferably, the three sections 112, 114, 116 have the same maximum outer diameter and the same minimum inner diameter. Thus, on the one hand, after the three sections 112, 114, 116 are connected to form the main body 110, the tubular passage 111 of the main body 110, which is composed of the conduits 1124, 1144, 1164 of the three sections 112, 114, 116, has a uniform inner diameter, thereby ensuring smooth installation of the capillary tube 150 in the main body 110; on the other hand, the main body 110 has a uniform outer diameter, thereby facilitating smooth installation of the capillary tube assembly 100 as a whole in the mass spectrometer 200.

[0064] Figure 11 shows a detailed view of the exit end piece 120, which can be used for both the capillary assembly of Figure 1 and the capillary assembly of Figure 7. The exit end piece 120 can be made of a metal conductive material. The exit end piece 120 includes a body 1201 having a maximum outer diameter, a shaping 1202 extending axially outwardly from one end of the body 1201, and a first internally threaded section 1203 extending axially inwardly from the other end of the body 1201. The body 1201 preferably has an outer diameter consistent with the main body 110 to facilitate smooth installation of the capillary assembly 100 as a whole in the mass spectrometer 200. The shaping 1202 has a particular configuration for creating an electric field that drives ions into the vacuum environment. Optionally, the shaping 1202 can be configured according to the end shape of an existing capillary exit end. The first internally threaded section 1203 is provided with internal threads that mate with the external threads of the first externally threaded section 1142 of the first end section 114. A tapered guide 164 is provided at the bottom of the first internally threaded section 1203 to guide the capillary 150 into the tubular passage 121 of the exit end piece 120 when the capillary 150 is installed. At the end distal from the main body 110, the inner diameter of the tubular passage 121 tapers down to eventually form an ion exit 1204 and a conical taper 1205 between the tubular passage 121 and the ion exit 1204. The capillary 150 abuts against the conical taper 1205 when installed in place.

[0065] FIG. 12 shows a detailed view of the inlet end piece 130, which can be used for both the capillary assembly of FIG. 1 and the capillary assembly of FIG. 7. The inlet end piece 130 can be made of a metallic electrically conductive material. The inlet end piece 130 includes a body 1301 having a maximum outer diameter, a profile 1302 extending axially outward from one end of the body 1301, and a second externally threaded section 1303 extending axially outward from the other end of the body 1301. The body 1301 preferably has an outer diameter slightly larger than that of the main body 110 to facilitate manual separation of the inlet end piece 130 from the main body 110. The profile 1302 has a specific configuration for creating an electric field that drives ions into the capillary assembly 100. Alternatively, the profile 1302 can be configured according to the end shape of the inlet end of an existing capillary. The second externally threaded section 1303 is provided with external threads that mate with the internal threads of the second internally threaded section 1162 of the second end section 116 at the outer wall. A tapered guide 168 is provided at the end of the second externally threaded section 1303 to guide the capillary 150 into the tubular passage 131 of the inlet end piece 130 when the inlet end piece 130 is further installed after the capillary 150 is installed. At the end away from the main body 110, the inner diameter of the tubular passage 131 tapers down to eventually form an ion inlet 1304 and a tapered tapering section 1305 between the tubular passage 131 and the ion inlet 1304. The tapered tapering section 1305 further restricts the outward movement of the capillary 150 after the inlet end piece 130 is installed.

[0066] In this embodiment, by appropriately setting the outer dimensions of the various components, the overall outer dimensions of the capillary assembly 100 can be set to be consistent with the outer dimensions of an existing capillary, thereby enabling seamless replacement of the existing capillary.

[0067] In other embodiments, the positions of the complementarily arranged pairs of bosses and recesses or externally and internally threaded sections can be interchanged as desired. In addition, the groove 1145 on the end face of the first externally threaded section 1142 of the first end section 114 for receiving the resilient seal 140 can also be provided at the bottom of the first internally threaded section 1203 of the outlet end piece 120.

[0068] The above description of various embodiments of the application is provided for purposes of describing the relevant teachings of the application to one of ordinary skill in the art. The application is not intended to be exclusive or limited to a single disclosed embodiment. As above, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate or be able to devise many alternative and equivalent embodiments without departing from the scope of the application. Thus, although a number of alternative embodiments have been described, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate that many alternative and equivalent embodiments exist. The application is intended to encompass all such alternative, equivalent, and equivalent embodiments as falling within the spirit and scope of the above-described application.

[0069] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0070] 100 capillary assembly

[0071] 110 body

[0072] 111 tubular passageway of the body

[0073] 112 intermediate section

[0074] 1121 body of the intermediate section

[0075] 1122 boss of the intermediate section

[0076] 1123 boss of the intermediate section

[0077] 1124 channel of the intermediate section

[0078] 114 first end section

[0079] 1141 body of the first end section

[0080] 1142 first externally threaded section

[0081] 1143 recess of the first end section

[0082] 1144 channel of the first end section

[0083] 1145 groove

[0084] 116 second end section

[0085] 1161 body of the second end section

[0086] 1162 second internally threaded section

[0087] 1163 recess of the second end section

[0088] 1164 channel of the second end section

[0089] 120 exit end piece

[0090] 1201 body of the exit end piece

[0091] 1202 contoured portion of the exit end piece

[0092] 1203 first internally threaded section

[0093] 1204 ion exit

[0094] 1205 conically tapered portion of the exit end piece

[0095] 121 Tubular passageway of exit end piece

[0096] 130 Entry end piece

[0097] 1301 Body of entry end piece

[0098] 1302 Shaped portion of entry end piece

[0099] 1303 Second externally threaded segment

[0100] 1304 Ion inlet

[0101] 1305 Conically tapered portion of entry end piece

[0102] 131 Tubular passageway of entry end piece

[0103] 140 Elastomeric seal

[0104] 142 Opening of elastomeric seal

[0105] 150 Capillary tube

[0106] 152 Marking

[0107] 164 Guide portion

[0108] 166 Guide portion

[0109] 168 Guide portion

[0110] 170 Manipulation portion

[0111] 180 Interstitial gap

[0112] 200 Mass spectrometer

[0113] 210 Opening of mass spectrometer

[0114] 220 Fixation

[0115] L Main axis

[0116] D Outer diameter of O-ring

[0117] d Wire diameter of O-ring

[0118] s Inner diameter of O-ring

[0119] h Height of recess

Claims

1. A capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer, characterized by, The capillary assembly comprises: a body having an axially extending tubular passage; an outlet end piece having a tubular passage and being connected with the body such that the tubular passage of the outlet end piece is in axial communication with the tubular passage of the body, wherein the body is axially movable relative to the outlet end piece between a first position and a second position; a resilient seal arranged between the body and the outlet end piece and having a pressure-closed opening in axial communication with the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece; and a capillary tube removably mounted in the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece and arranged through the opening of the resilient seal, wherein the opening of the resilient seal remains open when the body is in the first position relative to the outlet end piece and is closed and forms an axial seal between the body and the outlet end piece when the body is in the second position relative to the outlet end piece.

2. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The outlet end piece and the body are connected by a threaded connection, axial movement between the body and the outlet end piece being achieved by relative rotation.

3. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 2, wherein, One of the body and the outlet end piece is provided at an end with a first externally extending thread segment provided with external threads; the other of the body and the outlet end piece is provided at an end with a first internally extending thread segment provided with internal threads corresponding to the external threads of the first externally extending thread segment.

4. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 3, wherein, The first externally extending thread segment is provided at its end or the first internally extending thread segment is provided at its bottom with a recess for accommodating the resilient seal.

5. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 4, wherein, The recess has a depth which is less than the height of the resilient seal.

6. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The body and the outlet end piece are circular tubular and have equal maximum outer diameters and the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece have equal inner diameters.

7. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The outlet end piece is provided at an end remote from the body with an ion outlet and a conically tapering portion, the capillary tube having an outer diameter which is less than the inner diameter of the tubular passages of the body and the outlet end piece but greater than the inner diameter of the ion outlet.

8. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The body and the outlet end piece are provided at the entry side of the capillary tube with a guide for guiding the capillary tube.

9. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The outlet end piece is fixed in the mass spectrometer.

10. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The body comprises a middle section made of an insulating material and end sections made of a metallic material at both ends, the middle section and the end sections being connected in a non-rotatable manner.

11. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 10, wherein, The middle section is provided at both ends with a boss, the end sections are provided at an end facing the middle section with a recess for accommodating the boss, the boss and the recess being fixedly connected in an adhesive or interference fit.

12. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The capillary assembly further comprises an inlet end piece having a tubular passage and being connected with an end of the body remote from the outlet end piece such that the tubular passage of the inlet end piece is in axial communication with the tubular passage of the body.

13. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 12, wherein, One of the body and the inlet end piece is provided at an end with an axially outwardly extending second outer threaded segment, the second outer threaded segment being provided with an outer thread; The other of the body and the inlet end piece is provided at an end with an axially inwardly extending second inner threaded segment, the second inner threaded segment being provided with an inner thread corresponding to the outer thread of the second outer threaded segment.

14. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 12, wherein, The inlet end piece is provided at an end distal from the body with an ion inlet and a conically tapering portion, the outer diameter of the capillary being smaller than the inner diameter of the tubular passage of the inlet end piece but larger than the inner diameter of the ion inlet.

15. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 13, wherein, The inlet end piece is provided on an end face of the second outer threaded segment with a guide for guiding the capillary.

16. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The capillary is a flexible quartz capillary having an outer diameter of no more than 2.5 mm.

17. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The capillary is provided with a marking for indicating that the capillary is completely removed from the opening of the elastic seal.

18. The capillary assembly for a mass spectrometer of claim 1, wherein, The elastic seal is an O-ring made of an elastomeric material.

19. A mass spectrometer, characterized by, The mass spectrometer has a capillary assembly according to any one of claims 1-18, wherein one end of the body of the capillary assembly is in communication with an atmospheric pressure environment outside the mass spectrometer and the other end of the body is in communication with a vacuum environment inside the mass spectrometer via an outlet end piece.

20. The mass spectrometer of claim 19, wherein, The capillary assembly is inserted into the mass spectrometer through an opening of the mass spectrometer and the outlet end piece is locked by a fixation of the mass spectrometer in a direction of rotation around a main axis of the capillary assembly.

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