843 results about "Electrospray" patented technology

A multiple function atmospheric pressure ion source interfaced to a mass spectrometer comprises multiple liquid inlet probes configured such that the sprays from two or more probes intersect in a mixing region. Gas phase sample ions or neutral species generated in the spray of one probe can react with reagent gas ions generated from one or more other probes by such ionization methods as Electrospray, photoionization, corona discharge and glow discharge ionization. Reagent ions may be optimally selected to promote such processes as Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of neutral sample molecules, or charge reduction or electron transfer dissociation of multiply charged sample ions. Selected neutral reagent species can also be introduced into the mixing region to promote charge reduction of multiply charged sample ions through ion-neutral reactions. Different operating modes can be performed alternately or simultaneously, and can be rapidly turned on and off under manual or software control.

An electrospraying apparatus and/or method is used to coat particles. For example, a flow including at least one liquid suspension may be provided through at least one opening at a spray dispenser end. The flow includes at least particles and a coating material. A spray of microdroplets suspending at least the particles is established forward of the spray dispenser end by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the spray dispenser end and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom. The particles are coated with at least a portion of the coating material as the microdroplet evaporates. For example, the suspension may include biological material particles.

Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.

The invention relates to methods and instruments for ionizing analyte molecules, preferably biomolecules, which are dissolved in liquids or firmly adsorbed on surfaces. Liquids are nebulized at atmospheric pressure by electrospraying. Highly charged microdroplets, which enter the vacuum of the mass spectrometer through the inlet capillary, strike an impact plate when energy is fed in. The repulsive Coulomb force of the charges, the absorption of additional thermal energy and/or the conversion of their kinetic energy into thermal energy cause the microdroplets to burst and evaporate. Analyte molecules which are located in the nebulized liquid or on the impact plate are released in charged form and can be fed to the mass spectrometer for analysis by the extraction and collection effect of an ion funnel operated with RF and DC voltages.

An ion source is disclosed for forming multiply-charged analyte ions from a solid sample. A beam of pulsed radiation is directed onto a portion of the sample to desorb analyte molecules. A retaining structure holding a solvent volume is positioned proximate the sample. Desorbed analyte molecules contact a free surface of the solvent and pass into solution. The solution is then conveyed through an outlet passageway to an electrospray apparatus, which introduces a spray of charged solvent droplets into an ionization chamber.

This invention describes an apparatus for the separation and collection of components in a sample of interest comprising: an ionization source; an ion mobility separator and an ion collector positioned to receive ions leaving the ion mobility separator. The ion mobility separator having an inlet to supply at least one separating substance which comprises particles which selectively interact with at least one analyte component of interest to certain degree different from the others. The analyte component of interest may be enantiomers, diastereomers, stereoisomers, isomers, etc. The ion collector can be used to conduct analytical, preparative, and semi-preparative separation. In addition, a combined primary electrospray and secondary electrospray ionization source is disclosed to enhance ionization efficiency of interest.

An Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) source interfaced to a mass spectrometer is configured with a corona discharge needle positioned inside the APCI inlet probe assembly. Liquid sample flowing into the APCI inlet probe is nebulized and vaporized prior to passing through the corona discharge region all contained in the APCI inlet probe assembly Ions produced in the corona discharge region are focused toward the APCI probe centerline to maximize ion transmission through the APCI probe exit. External electric fields penetrating into the APCI probe exit end opening providing additional centerline focusing of sample ions exiting the APCI probe. The APCI probe is configured to shield the electric field from the corona discharge region while allowing penetration of an external electric field to focus APCI generated ions into an orifice into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions that exit the APCI probe are directed only by external electric fields and gas flow maximizing ion transmission into a mass to charge analyzer. The new APCI probe can be configured to operate as a stand alone APCI source inlet probe, as a reagent ion gun for ionizing samples introduced on solids or liquid sample probes or through gas inlets in a multiple function ion source or as the APCI portion of a combination Electrospray and APCI multiple function ion source. Sample ions and gas phase reagent ions are generated in the APCI probe from liquid or gas inlet species or mixtures of both.

A method for introducing ions generated in a region of relatively high pressure into a region of relatively low pressure by providing at least two electrospray ion sources, providing at least two capillary inlets configured to direct ions generated by the electrospray sources into and through each of the capillary inlets, providing at least two sets of primary elements having apertures, each set of elements having a receiving end and an emitting end, the primary sets of elements configured to receive a ions from the capillary inlets at the receiving ends, and providing a secondary set of elements having apertures having a receiving end and an emitting end, the secondary set of elements configured to receive said ions from the emitting end of the primary sets of elements and emit said ions from said emitting end of the secondary set of elements. The method may further include the step of providing at least one jet disturber positioned within at least one of the sets of primary elements, providing a voltage, such as a dc voltage, in the jet disturber, thereby adjusting the transmission of ions through at least one of the sets of primary elements.

A chromatography and fluidic device with connections capable of automated component changing, diagnostic leak and current sensing. The chromatography-electrospray device contains a chromatography column, a pre-column, a spray emitter, or other fluidic component imbedded within one or more inserts. The inserts are robotically placed in receiving hardware, and a “plug and play” compression fitting connection mechanism makes the fluidic seals in an automated fashion. A plurality of sensors capable of detecting leaks is situated in the device near leak-prone regions. The electrospray emitter has a current sensing electrode in proximity of the electrospray region, capable of detecting the electrospray current. In conjunction with an electronics system, these sensors allow for system and component diagnostics. The diagnostic information may then be used for manual or automated system repair.

Feedback control system for electrospray nozzle using optical system for monitoring and controlling dynamic or static morphology of the fluid exiting the electrospray nozzle.

A thin laminated high transmission electro-optical lens populated with a plurality of apertures in communication with its laminates used to improve the collection, focusing, and selection of ions generated from atmospheric pressure sources, such as electrospray, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, inductively coupled plasma, discharge, photoionization and atmospheric pressure matrix assisted laser desorption ionization. The laminated lens is made of alternating layers of electrically insulating and metal laminates. The geometry of the lens may be planar or shaped into various curve shapes, any of which act to optimize both the direct current (DC) and alternate current (AC) electric field geometries and strengths across the lens for transferring virtually all the ions from the ion source into an ion-focusing region adjacent and upstream of a high pressure or atmospheric pressure interface to a mass spectrometer, ion mobility analyzer, or combination thereof. Embodiments of this invention are methods and devices for improving sensitivity of mass spectrometry when coupled to high pressure or atmospheric pressure ionization sources.

Methods, systems and kits for the simultaneous or sequential analysis of one or more hormones by mass spectrometry are disclosed. The methods require minimal sample size and minimal preparation time. The methods include ionizing the hormones and analyzing the hormones by mass spectrometry. In addition, methods, systems and kits for the simultaneous or sequential analysis of thyroid hormones are disclosed including ionization of the thyroid hormones in the negative mode using an electrospray source.

A new ionization source named Surface Activated Chemical Ionization (SACI) has been discovered and used to improve the sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. According to this invention the ionization chamber of a mass spectrometer is heated and contains a physical new surface to improve the ionization process. The analyte neutral molecules that are present in gas phase are ionized on this surface. The surface can be made of various materials and may also chemically modified so to bind different molecules. This new ionization source is able to generate ions with high molecular weight and low charge, an essential new key feature of the invention so to improve sensitivity and reduce noise. The new device can be especially used for the analysis of proteins, peptides and other macromolecules. The new invention overcomes some of the well known and critical limitations of the Electrospray (ESI) and Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric techniques.

An electrospray interface for forming ions from a liquid sample in a mass analyzing system includes a capillary tube having a free end for introducing a spray of droplets into an ionization chamber, a first gas passageway positioned near the capillary tube for directing a first gas stream into the ionization chamber, and a second gas passageway positioned more remotely from the capillary tube for directing a second, low-velocity gas stream into the ionization chamber. The second gas stream is heated to increase the droplet desolvation rate. A heated sampling capillary having an end extending into the ionization chamber guides the analyte ions toward a mass analyzer and evaporates the solvent from any incompletely desolvated droplets entering the sampling capillary.

An ionic liquid ion source can include a microfabricated body including a base and a tip. The microfabricated body can be formed of a porous metal compatible (e.g., does not react or result in electrochemical decaying or corrosion) with an ionic liquid or a room-temperature molten salt. The microfabricated body can have a pore size gradient that decreases from the base of the body to the tip of the body, so that the ionic liquid can be transported through capillarity from the base to the tip.

A ion source for a mass spectrometer comprises: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample; an electrode of the capillary; a high voltage power supply; a second electrode disposed within or configurable to be disposed within a path of the nebulized fluid sample; and at least one switch for selecting application of an electrical potential provided by the high voltage power supply to either or both of the capillary electrode or the second electrode, wherein the capillary and capillary electrode are configurable so as to ionize the nebulized fluid sample by electrospray ionization and the second electrode is configurable so as to ionize the nebulized sample by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.

An automated electrospray ionization (ESI) device and related methods to optimize electrospray interface conditions for mass spectrometric analysis. The optimization process can be performed with calibration or optimization solutions that produce expected ESI parameters such as an ESI signal or an ion current. The ESI device may include an input/output (I/O) controller that is coupled to an electrospray assembly including an XYZ stage for positioning an electrospray emitter relative to a mass spectrometer orifice. The I/O controller may be connected to a power supply for applying an adjustable electrospray ionization voltage, and an adjustable flow regulator that alters the flow of solution by modifying applied voltage and/or pressure. A central processing unit instructs the I/O controller to control selectively the electrospray assembly based on the resultant signals from the mass spectrometer or the ion currents within the mass spectrometer in accordance with a predetermined optimization algorithm. The resulting ESI signal or ion currents are monitored and provide feedback to the I/O controller which can automatically instruct selected system components to make adjustments as needed to attain optimal settings that produce expected ESI signals or ion currents in the mass spectrometer for selected solutions.