Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sample preparation on a spectrometric sample support, comprising the steps of: (i) providing the sample support with an arrangement of individual liquid droplets, for example of washing liquid or nutrient solution, each of which has microorganism sediments enclosed in it; (ii) locating a plate of an absorbent material containing cotton fibers, for example, above the sample support; (iii) lowering the plate vertically onto the sample support in such a way that microorganism sediments and plate come into contact, whereby the droplets of liquid are absorbed into the absorbent material; (iv) lifting the plate, which is locally enriched with droplet liquid, off the sample support, thereby exposing the microorganism sediments that are depleted of liquid; and (v) preparing the exposed microorganism sediments for spectrometric measurement, by means of infrared spectrometry or MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for drawing-off liquid from individual droplets which are in a predefined arrangement on a flat substrate and have sedimented material enclosed in them. A mask of an absorbent material comprising a pattern of indentations or holes which corresponds at least partially to the regular arrangement of the individual droplets, or a stiff, rigid plate of an absorbent material is positioned above the flat substrate in such a way that the droplets come into contact with the absorbent material peripherally so that liquid is drawn off there-into. The invention also relates to a mask of an absorbent material with a substantially rectangular shape which has a predefined pattern of indentations or holes for the purpose of separating liquid and sedimented material enclosed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for drawing-off liquid from individual droplets which are in a predefined arrangement on a flat substrate and have sedimented material enclosed in them. A mask of an absorbent material comprising a pattern of indentations or holes which corresponds at least partially to the regular arrangement of the individual droplets, or a stiff, rigid plate of an absorbent material is positioned above the flat substrate in such a way that the droplets come into contact with the absorbent material peripherally so that liquid is drawn off there-into. The invention also relates to a mask of an absorbent material with a substantially rectangular shape which has a predefined pattern of indentations or holes for the purpose of separating liquid and sedimented material enclosed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for drawing-off liquid from individual droplets which are in a predefined arrangement on a flat substrate and have sedimented material enclosed in them. A mask of an absorbent material comprising a pattern of indentations or holes which corresponds at least partially to the regular arrangement of the individual droplets, or a stiff, rigid plate of an absorbent material is positioned above the flat substrate in such a way that the droplets come into contact with the absorbent material peripherally so that liquid is drawn off there-into. The invention also relates to a mask of an absorbent material with a substantially rectangular shape which has a predefined pattern of indentations or holes for the purpose of separating liquid and sedimented material enclosed therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for sample preparation on a spectrometric sample support, comprising the steps of: (i) providing the sample support with an arrangement of individual liquid droplets, for example of washing liquid or nutrient solution, each of which has microorganism sediments enclosed in it; (ii) locating a plate of an absorbent material containing cotton fibers, for example, above the sample support; (iii) lowering the plate vertically onto the sample support in such a way that microorganism sediments and plate come into contact, whereby the droplets of liquid are absorbed into the absorbent material; (iv) lifting the plate, which is locally enriched with droplet liquid, off the sample support, thereby exposing the microorganism sediments that are depleted of liquid; and (v) preparing the exposed microorganism sediments for spectrometric measurement, by means of infrared spectrometry or MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry, for example.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of samples on mass spectrometric sample supports with dispensing of liquids, and particularly to devices and methods to clean the dispenser. During dispensing of hundreds of samples, solved material may crystallize over time as deposit at the capillary tip of the dispenser, which impedes the vertical detachment of the drop in the medium and long run. Therefore, frequently cleaning the capillary tip is essential for a robust operation of the preparation device. The invention proposes to automatically clean the dispenser tip by creating a drop of washing fluid, such as pure solvent, fully enclosing the dispenser tip. The washing fluid is fed through a channel outside the central dispenser capillary to a location slightly above the capillary tip. The size of the hanging drop of washing fluid is photometrically regulated and monitored to prevent it from falling off prematurely.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of samples on mass spectrometric sample supports with dispensing of liquids, and particularly to devices and methods to clean the dispenser. During dispensing of hundreds of samples, solved material may crystallize over time as deposit at the capillary tip of the dispenser, which impedes the vertical detachment of the drop in the medium and long run. Therefore, frequently cleaning the capillary tip is essential for a robust operation of the preparation device. The invention proposes to automatically clean the dispenser tip by creating a drop of washing fluid, such as pure solvent, fully enclosing the dispenser tip. The washing fluid is fed through a channel outside the central dispenser capillary to a location slightly above the capillary tip. The size of the hanging drop of washing fluid is photometrically regulated and monitored to prevent it from falling off prematurely.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of samples on mass spectrometric sample supports with dispensing of liquids, and particularly to devices and methods to clean the dispenser. During dispensing of hundreds of samples, solved material may crystallize over time as deposit at the capillary tip of the dispenser, which impedes the vertical detachment of the drop in the medium and long run. Therefore, frequently cleaning the capillary tip is essential for a robust operation of the preparation device. The invention proposes to automatically clean the dispenser tip by creating a drop of washing fluid, such as pure solvent, fully enclosing the dispenser tip. The washing fluid is fed through a channel outside the central dispenser capillary to a location slightly above the capillary tip. The size of the hanging drop of washing fluid is photometrically regulated and monitored to prevent it from falling off prematurely.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for drawing-off liquid from individual droplets which are in a predefined arrangement on a flat substrate and have sedimented material enclosed in them. A mask of an absorbent material comprising a pattern of indentations or holes which corresponds at least partially to the regular arrangement of the individual droplets, or a stiff, rigid plate of an absorbent material is positioned above the flat substrate in such a way that the droplets come into contact with the absorbent material peripherally so that liquid is drawn off there-into. The invention also relates to a mask of an absorbent material with a substantially rectangular shape which has a predefined pattern of indentations or holes for the purpose of separating liquid and sedimented material enclosed therein.

Abstract: Devices for the preparation of a plurality of samples on mass-spectrometric sample supports are presented, where the samples are prepared by the application of liquids such that they are suitable for ionization in a mass spectrometer, for example ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption (MALDI). The invention proposes that the dispenser and sample sites are positioned with respect to each other by means of two rotations about two eccentric axes. As acids and aggressive solvents are used, which have to evaporate on the samples, the preparation can be carried out in a closed chamber with air circulation, filter, dispenser and mounting table for the sample support. Drives for positioning the dispenser and sample support relative to each other are preferably kept outside the chamber because aggressive vapors would very quickly damage the motors and the complex cross-rails of the XY translation stages used to move the sample supports.

Abstract: The invention relates to the preparation of samples on mass spectrometric sample supports with dispensing of liquids, and particularly to devices and methods to clean the dispenser. During dispensing of hundreds of samples, solved material may crystallize over time as deposit at the capillary tip of the dispenser, which impedes the vertical detachment of the drop in the medium and long run. Therefore, frequently cleaning the capillary tip is essential for a robust operation of the preparation device. The invention proposes to automatically clean the dispenser tip by creating a drop of washing fluid, such as pure solvent, fully enclosing the dispenser tip. The washing fluid is fed through a channel outside the central dispenser capillary to a location slightly above the capillary tip. The size of the hanging drop of washing fluid is photometrically regulated and monitored to prevent it from falling off prematurely.