Prutec Limited

Thomas W Ottley

John Kelshaw Conway

Microbe growth detection

Introduction of samples into a mass spectrometer

The invention relates to an inlet system for use in a mass spectrometer which comprises a capillary tube 10 for introducing ions for analysis into the ion source of the spectrometer. An expansion chamber 14 arranged at the end of the capillary tube 10 has an aperture sealingly connectable to a tube 16 containing a sample to be analyzed. A piston 18 disposed within the expansion chamber 14 acts as a closure member for opening and closing the said aperture. A pumping line 25 is provided for evacuating the expansion chamber 14 to low vacuum after communication is established between the expansion chamber and the sample tube 16 and the piston 18 seals off the pumping line from the expansion chamber 14 after a low vacuum has been achieved in the latter chamber to permit evacuation of the expansion chamber to 14 a higher vacuum by way of the capillary tube 10 to a diffusion pump evacuating the space within the mass spectrometer.

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Framfield, United Kingdom

Thomas W Ottley