Abstract: A desorber for use with a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer comprises a body portion that has a cavity formed therein, the cavity being arranged to receive a sample collector, the sample collector being preferably carried by a holding device that can be slid in and out of the cavity. The body portion includes an air intake passage in communication with the cavity and at least one heating element arranged to heat air drawn through the air intake passage into the cavity.

Abstract: A sample collection device for use with a chemical analyzer, the device comprising a sample collecting assembly having at least one sampling medium and a sample desorbing assembly arranged to receive the sampling medium therein, the sample collecting assembly and sample desorbing assembly being movable with respect to one another between a sample collecting configuration in which the sampling medium is substantially exposed and a sample desorbing configuration in which the sampling medium is substantially housed within the sample desorbing assembly.

Abstract: A transport roller suspension mechanism for supporting at least one transport roller of a sample transport mechanism for introducing a substantially planar sample carrier to a chemical analysis device, the transport roller mechanism comprising: a suspension block arranged to be pivotally connected to a fixed portion of the sample transport mechanism and being arranged to rotatably receive one end of a transport roller shaft; and a biasing member arranged to be resiliently urged against the suspension block.

Abstract: A sample collection device for use with a chemical analyzer, the device comprising a sample collecting assembly having at least one sampling medium and a sample desorbing assembly arranged to receive the sampling medium therein, the sample collecting assembly and sample desorbing assembly being movable with respect to one another between a sample collecting configuration in which the sampling medium is substantially exposed and a sample desorbing configuration in which the sampling medium is substantially housed within the sample desorbing assembly.

Abstract: A transport roller suspension mechanism for supporting at least one transport roller of a sample transport mechanism for introducing a substantially planar sample carrier to a chemical analysis device, the transport roller mechanism comprising: a suspension block arranged to be pivotally connected to a fixed portion of the sample transport mechanism and being arranged to rotatably receive one end of a transport roller shaft; and a biasing member arranged to be resiliently urged against the suspension block.

Abstract: A desorber for use with a chemical ionisation mass spectrometer comprises a body portion that has a cavity formed therein, the cavity being arranged to receive a sample collector, the sample collector being preferably carried by a holding device that can be slid in and out of the cavity. The body portion includes an air intake passage in communication with the cavity and at least one heating element arranged to heat air drawn through the air intake passage into the cavity.