Abstract: A device for collecting material from a solid surface, and optionally concentrating the collected material, for subsequent analysis includes a nebulizer that generates and discharges a fluid stream, and a collector positioned to intercept material caused by the fluid stream after it is deflected from the solid surface. The device is usable in a sample collection process having steps of spraying a fluid stream of gas containing nebulized solvent as the solid surface, positioning a collector to intercept material carried by the fluid. The process may be repeated to concentrate the material being sampled.

Abstract: An improvement to Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI), the process of creating ions directly from sample surfaces for mass spectrometric (MS) analysis by impinging a liquid spray onto the surface. The improvement is brought about by enclosing the spray and sample surface and MS-inlet capillary in a pressure tight enclosure. The invention includes methods of sampling a larger or smaller area of surface by impacting and collecting droplets from such an area. The invention allows DESI to be performed without need for careful control of the geometry of the sprayer and MS-inlet capillary positions and angles relative to the sample surface.

Abstract: A device enables direct, continual analysis by mass spectrometry of one or more analytes in a complex liquid sample. A first sprayer nebulizes the liquid sample, forming sample droplets. A second sprayer provides multiple charged droplets of a liquid solvent or solution. The first sprayer forms a first angle (?) relative to the second sprayer such that the analytes are transferred to the charged droplets and are desolvated to generate free gas phase ions in an interface of a mass spectrometer (MS).

Abstract: An improvement to Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI), the process of creating ions directly from sample surfaces for mass spectrometric (MS) analysis by impinging a liquid spray onto the surface. The improvement is brought about by enclosing the spray and sample surface and MS-inlet capillary in a pressure tight enclosure. The invention includes methods of sampling a larger or smaller area of surface by impacting and collecting droplets from such an area. The invention allows DESI to be performed without need for careful control of the geometry of the sprayer and MS-inlet capillary positions and angles relative to the sample surface.