The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 04, 2011
Filed:
Nov. 15, 2004
Risto Kostiainen, Helsinki, FI;
Samuli Franssila, Helsinki, FI;
Tapio Kotiaho, Espoo, FI;
Seppo Marttila, Nurmijärvi, FI;
Risto Kostiainen, Helsinki, FI;
Samuli Franssila, Helsinki, FI;
Tapio Kotiaho, Espoo, FI;
Seppo Marttila, Nurmijärvi, FI;
Licentia Oy, Helsinki, FI;
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for examining a sample by means of mass spectrometry. According to the method, the solution comprising the sample to be examined is vaporized in a vaporizer, the vaporized sample solution is sprayed, using a gas flow, into a corona discharge zone, where the examined sample is ionised according to the APCI method, using a corona discharge, to generate gas phase ions, and the ions are separated and directed to a detector. According to the present invention, a vaporizer is used, which is fabricated as a micromechanical structure which comprises the flow channels for the solution and for the carrier gas possibly used for feeding the solution, as well as the heater of the vaporizer, and which are all included in a monolithic structure. The solution is especially suitable for cases in which a very sensitive analysing technique is needed, or in which the available sample quantity is very small (less than 1 μL).