US4403147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for analyzing liquid samples with a mass spectrometer
Assignee: HP Inc
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Filing: 1982-02-12
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Granted: 1983-09-06
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Expires: 2002-02-12
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus is provided for analyzing liquid samples by a mass spectrometer. A stream of liquid droplets of the sample is formed by a probe which expels the droplets into a desolvation chamber. The droplets are evaporated in the desolvation chamber and the evaporated materials injected into the source region of the mass spectrometer. In some preferred embodiments, the system is configured so that no solvent or solute is pumped out of the desolvation chamber during transit; discrimination against highly volatile materials is thereby prevented. The apparatus may be used as an interface between a liquid chromatograph and the mass spectrometer.
Inventors
- 👤 Attilio Melera
- 👤 Armand Neukermans
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 19:15
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/04; H01J49/0431; H01J49/044; G; G01; G01N; G01N30/00; G01N30/02; G01N30/62; G01N30/72; G01N30/7233; G01N30/724; G01N30/7246; G01N30/60; G01N30/6004; G01N2030/6013; G01N30/26; G01N30/28; G01N30/30; G01N30/726; G01N30/7273
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for introducing a liquid solution of a solute dissolved in a solvent into the source region of a mass spectrometer, comprising: probe means for forming a stream of liquid droplets of said solution and expelling said stream from said probe means; vaporization means positioned between said probe means and the source region of said mass spectrometer for evaporating the solute and solvent in said droplets after said droplets have been expelled from said probe means, and directing at least some of the evaporated materials into said source region of the mass specctrometer; and temperature control means for maintaining the temperature in said probe means below the boiling point of said liquid solution in said probe means, to insure that said solution does not evaporate in or near said probe means and thereby plug said probe means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
Apparatus for introducing a liquid solution of a solute dissolved in a solvent into the source region of a mass spectrometer, comprising: probe means for forming a stream of liquid droplets of said solution and expelling said stream from said probe means; vaporization means positioned between said probe means and the source region of said mass spectrometer for evaporating the solute and solvent in said droplets after said droplets have been expelled from said probe means, and directing at least some of the evaporated materials into said source region of the mass specctrometer; and temperature control means for maintaining the temperature in said probe means below the boiling point of said liquid solution in said probe means, to insure that said solution does not evaporate in or near said probe means and thereby plug said probe means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein said temperature control means comprises a channel containing a cooling medium, said channel being in proximity to said probe means, to maintain the temperature in said probe means below the boiling point of said liquid solution in said probe means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 wherein: said vaporization means comprises a desolvation chamber adjacent said probe means, said stream of liquid droplets being expelled from said probe means into said desolvation chamber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein: said desolvation chamber is configured to direct substantially all of said evaporated solute and solvent into said source region of the mass spectrometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as in claim 4 wherein said probe means comprises: input means for accepting said liquid solution; and diaphragm means having an orifice therein in communication with said input means, said liquid solution being expelled from said orifice in the form of said stream of liquid droplets.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 5 wherein said orifice has a diameter in the range 5 microns to 25 microns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said desolvation chamber is heated.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as in claim 3 wherein said desolvation chamber can be varied in length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for introducing a liquid solution of a solute dissolved in a solvent into the source region of a mass spectrometer, comprising probe means for forming a stream of liquid droplets of said solution; and temperature control means for maintaining the temperature in said probe means below the boiling point of said solution in said probe means to insure that said solution does not evaporate in or near said probe means and thereby plug said probe means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus for introducing a liquid solution of a solute dissolved in a solvent into the source region of a mass spectrometer, comprising probe means for forming a stream of liquid droplets of said solution; and temperature control means for maintaining the temperature in said probe means below the boiling point of said solution in said probe means to insure that said solution does not evaporate in or near said probe means and thereby plug said probe means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said temperature control means comprises a channel containing a cooling medium, said channel being in proximity to said probe means to maintain the temperature in said probe means below the boiling point of said solution in said probe means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
45 words
Apparatus as in claim 9 wherein said probe means comprises: input means for accepting said solution; and diaphragm means having an orifice therein in communication with said input means, said solution being expelled from said orifice in the form of said stream of liquid droplets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said temperature control means comprises a channel containing a cooling medium, said channel being in proximity to said diaphragm means to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of said orifice below the boiling point of said solution in said probe means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
19 words
Apparatus as in claim 11 wherein said orifice has a diameter in the range 5 microns to 25 microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
Apparatus as in claim 13 wherein said temperature control means comprises a channel containing a cooling medium, said channel being in proximity to said diaphragm means to maintain the temperature in the vicinity of said orifice below the boiling point of said solution in said probe means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1986-09-05 | 1987-03-07 | 1987-09-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-09-05 | 1991-03-07 | 1991-09-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-09-05 | 1995-03-07 | 1995-09-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |