EP0211645A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
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Apparatus and methods for use in the mass analysis of chemical samples
Assignee: Kratos Analytical Ltd
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Filing: 1986-08-04
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2006-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A probe for supporting a sample in an ion source of a mass spectrometer is arranged to receive a continuous supply of liquid containing a sample to be analysed, which sample may, or may not, change with time. The probe can comprise a target formed by a copper probe tip 18 and the liquid sample can pass, for example, through a fine bore 18a of the tip, on to the end surface of the tip where it is held as a droplet by surface tension. In order to replenish the droplet surface, liquid sample can be supplied, for example via capillary tubing 14 from a syringe 11, to the inlet end of the bore in the probe tip.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Caprioli
- 👤 John S. Cottrell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 00:22
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/04; H01J49/0404; H01J49/0431; H01J49/0436; H01J49/10; H01J49/14; H01J49/142
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
Mass spectrometry apparatus for use in the continuous analysis of a sampl-e of which the composition may, or may not, change with time, which comprises a high vacuum system, means for depositing a supply of the sample on a surface located within the high vacuum system, means for ionising the deposited sample in situ on the surface and means for mass analysing the ions so produced.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
Mass spectrometry apparatus for use in the continuous analysis of a sampl-e of which the composition may, or may not, change with time, which comprises a high vacuum system, means for depositing a supply of the sample on a surface located within the high vacuum system, means for ionising the deposited sample in situ on the surface and means for mass analysing the ions so produced.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for use, in association with a mass spectrometer including a high vacuum analyser system and a sputtering ion source, in the continuous analysis of a sample of which the composition may, or may not, change with time, which apparatus comprises a target carrier adapted to be connected to the high vacuum analyser system so that a surface of the target carrier subject to the high vacuum within the system can form a target for said ion source, and means effective, during the operation of the apparatus, to conduct a flow of liquid in which the sample is carried from a location, which is at a high pressure relative to that within said system, to the said surface which is subject to the high vacuum.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
125 words
Apparatus for use, in association with a mass spectrometer including a high vacuum analyser system and a sputtering ion source, in the continuous analysis of a sample of which the composition may, or may not, change with time, which apparatus comprises a target carrier adapted to be connected to the high vacuum analyser system so that a surface of the target carrier subject to the high vacuum within the system can form a target for said ion source, and means effective, during the operation of the apparatus, to conduct a flow of liquid in which the sample is carried from a location, which is at a high pressure relative to that within said system, to the said surface which is subject to the high vacuum.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
80 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the means for conducting a flow of liquid comprises a vessel for containing the sample and the liquid in which the sample is dissolved or otherwise carried, together with any substance with which the sample may be required to react, and a fluid-flow ducting for conducting a flow of said liquid containing said sample or the reaction products of said sample and said substance from the vessel to the said surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the target carrier is formed by the tip of a probe having an external surface which surrounds an outlet orifice and forms the target surface, and said ducting, which is formed by capillary tubing, opening via said orifice on to said target surface so that the liquid containing the sample or said reaction products can pass through the orifice on to said target surface.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein the probe tip is made of copper.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 or claim 5 wherein a syringe containing a supply of said liquid is connected to an inlet end of said capillary tubing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the target carrier includes a semi-permeable membrane capable of withstanding the pressure difference between said high pressure and said high vacuum, said semi-permeable membrane having said target surface on the high vacuum side thereof and said ducting opening on to said target carrier on the high pressure side thereof so that the liquid together with the sample or said reaction products carried thereby can pass through the membrane on to said target surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus according to claim 7 wherein the membrane is a glass frit or other sintered material having an electrically-conductive coating of gold or other electrically conductive material on its target surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein a part of said target carrier is shaped to form a receptacle for a droplet of liquid and the means for conducting a flow of liquid open into said receptacle, so that the droplet can be replenished as liquid evaporates from its surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a membrane through which liquid can permeate is interposed in the path of liquid flowing to said -receptacle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein a membrane through which liquid can permeate extends across the mouth of said receptacle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein said receptacle has a sharp edged lip and an overflow channel surrounds said lip.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said receptacle is formed with a lip, and a mass of porous material surrounds said lip and extends substantially flush therewith, said material being arranged to absorb liquid overflowing the lip and thereby influence the shape of the liquid meniscus at the mouth of the receptacle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
Apparatus according to claim 9 wherein the means for conducting a flow of liquid comprises an inlet pipe, and a return pipe communicates with said inlet pipe at or adjacent to said receptacle to conduct liquid away from the receptacle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
67 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the target carrier includes a solid target member having thereon said target surface, and a casing supporting the target member and capable of withstanding the pre&sure difference between said high pressure and said high vacuum, said ducting extending through and being sealed at said casing and opening adjacent said target surface so as to discharge liquid on to said target surface.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for the continuous analysis of a sample of which the composition may or may not change with time which comprises continuously depositing a supply of the sample on a surface located within a high vacuum system, ionising the deposited sample in situ on the surface and mass analysing the ions so produced.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for the continuous analysis of a sample of which the composition may or may not change with time which comprises continuously depositing a supply of the sample on a surface located within a high vacuum system, ionising the deposited sample in situ on the surface and mass analysing the ions so produced.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for the continuous analysis of a sample of a biopolymer, such for example as a protein, which comprises reacting the biopolymer sample with a substance which sequentially removes terminal units of the biopolymer, depositing a supply of the reaction products continuously on the target surface of a sputtering ion source, causing ionisation of the deposited reaction products and mass analysing the ions so produced to permit identification of the terminal units sequentially removed from the biopolymer by determining the reduction with time of the molecular mass of the biopolymer as the terminal units are removed.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
97 words
A method for the continuous analysis of a sample of a biopolymer, such for example as a protein, which comprises reacting the biopolymer sample with a substance which sequentially removes terminal units of the biopolymer, depositing a supply of the reaction products continuously on the target surface of a sputtering ion source, causing ionisation of the deposited reaction products and mass analysing the ions so produced to permit identification of the terminal units sequentially removed from the biopolymer by determining the reduction with time of the molecular mass of the biopolymer as the terminal units are removed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 16 or claim 17 which includes ionising the deposited sample by causing a beam of particles or of radiation to impinge thereon.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 17 or claim 18 which includes dissolving the sample in a mixture of water and glycerol or other fluid substance less volatile than water so that after the water content of the deposited supply has evaporated, the material of the sample or its residue will be contained in a globule of said fluid substance.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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