Capture Probe

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016299041-A1
Application number	US-201514682847-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Apr 9, 2015
Priority date	Apr 9, 2015
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A system for sampling a sample material includes a device for directing sample into a capture probe. The device for supplying sample material to the probe can be a device for radiating energy to the surface to eject sample from the sample material. A probe includes an outer probe housing having an open end. A liquid supply conduit has an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end. An exhaust conduit removes liquid from the open end of the housing. The liquid supply conduit can be connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing. A liquid exhaust system can be in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, which exceeds the first volumetric flow rate such that gas with sample is withdrawn with the liquid. The probe can produce a vortex of liquid in the liquid exhaust conduit. A method for sampling a surface and a sampling probe system are also disclosed.

First claim

We claim:

1 . A system for sampling a sample material, comprising:
a probe comprising an outer probe housing having an inner wall and an open end for communicating with a sample space; a liquid supply conduit within the housing and having an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing; an exhaust conduit within the housing for removing liquid from the open end of the housing; the liquid supply conduit being connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing; a liquid exhaust system in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the second volumetric flow rate exceeding the first volumetric flow rate, whereby gas containing sample from the sample space will be withdrawn with liquid flowing into and through the liquid exhaust conduit; and, a device for directing sample into the open end of the probe communicating with the sample space.

2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is a laser producing a laser beam.

3 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the sample is provided on a support that is transparent to the wavelength and the laser is positioned to direct the laser beam through the support to the sample.

4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein the laser is positioned on the same side of the support as the sample.

5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by at least 5%.

6 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by between 5-50%.

7 . The system of claim 1 wherein the probe produces a vortex of liquid in the liquid exhaust conduit.

8 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a gas guide between the open end of the probe and the sample for focusing the flow of gas into the liquid exhaust conduit.

9 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising a voltage source electrically connected to create a voltage difference between the sample surface and the probe.

10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe comprises an acoustic desorption device.

11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe comprises a droplet dispenser.

12 . The system of claim 1 , further comprising an analysis device in liquid communication with the liquid exhaust system.

13 . A method for sampling a sample material, comprising the steps of:
providing a probe having an open end communicating with a sample space; providing a device for directing sample into the open end of the probe; supplying liquid to the open end of the probe at a first volumetric flow rate; removing the liquid from the open end of the probe at a second volumetric flow rate, the second volumetric flow rate exceeding the first volumetric flow rate; operating the device to direct sample into the open end of the probe communicating with the sample space; removing the sample material and gas with the liquid removed from the open end of the probe through an exhaust conduit of the probe.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is a radiation source for directing a radiation beam at sample material on a sample support.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the radiation source is a laser.

16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the sample is provided on a support that is transparent to the wavelength and the laser is positioned to direct the laser beam through the support to the sample.

17 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the laser beam emanates from the same side of the support as the sample.

18 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of subjecting the removed liquid containing sample and gas to chemical analysis.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the liquid removed from the open end forms a vortex in a liquid exhaust conduit.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is a droplet dispenser.

21 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by at least 5%.

22 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the second volumetric flow rate exceeds the first volumetric flow rate by between 5-50%.

23 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of providing a gas guide between the open end of the probe and the sample for focusing the flow of gas into the liquid exhaust conduit.

24 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising the step of creating a voltage difference between the sample and the probe.

25 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the device for directing sample into the probe is an acoustic desorption energy source.

26 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising directing sample material and gas with the liquid removed from the probe to an analysis device.

27 . A sampling probe system, comprising:
an outer probe housing having an inner wall and an open end for communicating with a sample space; a liquid supply conduit within the housing and having an outlet positioned to deliver liquid to the open end of the housing; an exhaust conduit within the housing for removing liquid from the open end of the housing; the liquid supply conduit being connectable to a liquid supply for delivering liquid at a first volumetric flow rate to the open end of the housing; and, a liquid removal system in fluid connection with the liquid exhaust conduit for removing liquid from the liquid exhaust conduit at a second volumetric flow rate, the second volumetric flow rate exceeding the first volumetric flow rate, whereby gas containing sample from the sample space will be withdrawn with liquid flowing into and through the liquid exhaust conduit.

28 . The sampling probe system of claim 27 , wherein liquid enters the liquid exhaust conduit as a vortex.

Assignees

• Ut Battelle Llc

Inventors

• Kertesz Vilmos
• Van Berkel Gary J

Classifications

• H01J49/0418

  for laser desorption, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI] plates or surface enhanced laser desorption/ionisation [SELDI] plates · CPC title

• H01J49/164

  Laser desorption/ionisation, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI] (sample holders H01J49/0418) · CPC title

• H01J49/0463

  Desorption by laser or particle beam, followed by ionisation as a separate step (sample holder per se H01J49/0418) · CPC title

• G01N2001/028

  Sampling from a surface, swabbing, vaporising · CPC title

• G01N1/24 Primary

  Suction devices {(G01N1/22 - G01N1/2294 take precedence)} · CPC title