Abstract: A moving belt interface for real-time, high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC)/mass spectrometer (MS) analysis which strips away the HPLC solvent as it emerges from the end of the HPLC column and leaves a residue suitable for mass-spectral analysis. The interface includes a portable, stand-alone apparatus having a plural stage vacuum station, a continuous ribbon or belt, a drive train magnetically coupled to an external drive motor, a calibrated HPLC delivery system, a heated probe tip and means located adjacent the probe tip for direct ionization of the residue on the belt. The interface is also capable of being readily adapted to fit any mass spectrometer.

Abstract: An improved liquid chromatography column having a horizontal flow of the liquid through the separating medium utilizing an improved fluid distribution system is disclosed. The improved fluid distribution system includes a screen or mesh arrangement, and a thin layer, plate or wafer-like separation medium. The screen or mesh type distribution system enables uniform distribution of the sample or eluting fluid radially over 360.degree. around the periphery of the separating medium bed, thus eliminating the high machining costs and other problems associated with systems employing grooves or passageways type distribution systems. The improved column as a whole may be fabricated so as to be disposable or may be constructed to have an even more simplified fluid distribution arrangement.

Abstract: A chromatography column/moving belt interface for directing the output of the column to a point of use, detection and/or identification, such as a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The chromatography column/moving belt interface of this invention thus provides for substantially simultaneous analysis of materials separated in the column. The chromatography column utilizes horizontal flow through the separating medium with the output therefrom being at or near atmospheric pressure. The moving belt interface includes means for directing the output of the column onto a moving belt at variable angles, means for vaporizing output which is deposited on the belt and means for providing a vacuum lock arrangement such that the belt moves from and through a near atmospheric pressure of the column output to a near vacuum condition of the mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A chromatography column-electrophoresis system for directing the fluid output from the column directly to a point of use, further resolution or separation, detection and/or identification while conditioning or preparing the output for analysis by another instrument such as a mass spectrometer. The system provides for substantially simultaneous analysis in a mass spectrometer, for example, material separated initially by the column, followed by electrophoretic separation and resolution. The chromatography column utilizes horizontal or radial flow of the sample fluid through the separating medium. The column may be of a type having a quickly replaceable or disposable separating medium, or the entire column may be of a readily replaceable or disposable type. The electrophoresis apparatus is of a capillary tube type, one embodiment of which utilizes a pair of capillary tubes thereby providing for continuous operation.

Abstract: The invention involves a new technique for the separation of complex mixtures of chemicals, which utilizes a unique interface probe for conventional mass spectrometers which allows the electrophoretically separated compounds to be analyzed in real-time by a mass spectrometer. This new chemical analysis interface, which couples electrophoresis with mass spectrometry, allows complex mixtures to be analyzed very rapidly, with much greater specificity, and with greater sensitivity. The interface or probe provides a means whereby large and/or polar molecules in complex mixtures to be completely characterized. The preferred embodiment of the probe utilizes a double capillary tip which allows the probe tip to be continually wetted by the buffer, which provides for increased heat dissipation, and results in a continually operating interface which is more durable and electronically stable than the illustrated single capillary tip probe interface.

Abstract: To avoid the problem of instrumental drift encountered when using an open-split interface between a temperature-programmed gas-liquid chromatography column and a mass spectrometer, the inert gas supplied to the open-split interface and the interface itself are heated to a temperature above the maximum temperature attained by the chromatography column during the analysis.

Abstract: To avoid the problem of instrumental drift encountered when using an open-split interface between a temperature-programmed gas-liquid chromatography column and a mass spectrometer, the inert gas supplied to the open-split interface and the interface itself are heated to a temperature above the maximum temperature attained by the chromatography column during the analysis.