Abstract: An ion injection spray apparatus and method are provided for coupling a liquid chromatograph or other liquid flow device to a mass spectrometer. The ion injection spray assembly is composed in part of a chamber for voltage and gas input, a metal union for a liquid voltage junction, a gas distribution assembly, a vacuum seal and an ion spray needle. The position of the ion spray needle within this assembly is directly coupled to the outlet of the upstream liquid flow device through the metal union. The vacuum of the mass spectrometer pulls gas at atmospheric pressure though the gas distribution assembly to focus the sample liquid at the spray needle outlet and create a centrifugal gas funnel which helps to desolvate the sample ions and sweep them into the mass spectrometer over a wide range of flow rates.

Abstract: A tandem mass spectrometer is provided including two mass analyzers with an ion fragmentation device interposed between the two mass analyzers. The first mass analyzer is a non-destructive mass analyzer, such as an ion trap, to initially collect and hold parent ions and sequentially release parent ions of known mass to charge ratio. The released parent ions pass through the fragmentation device, such as a collision cell, where the parent ions are fragmented into daughter ions. These daughter ions then pass on to the second mass analyzer. The second mass analyzer is of a high speed full spectrum type, such as a time of flight analyzer, so that a full spectrum of mass data is provided for the daughter ions, to go with parent ion mass spectrum data from the first mass analyzer.

Abstract: A column 20 is provided for use in high performance liquid chromatography systems. The column 20 has a bore 50 passing therethrough with an inlet 52 larger than an outlet 54. The side wall 56 of the bore 50 tapers as it extends between the inlet 52 and the outlet 54. The tapering bore 50 is packed with a chromatographic separation medium held within the tapering bore 50 by an inlet frit 38 adjacent an inlet 52 and an outlet frit 48 adjacent the outlet 54. The tapered bore column 20 can be substituted for standard cylindrical bore columns within high performance liquid chromatography systems to increase sample component resolution per unit time.

Abstract: An integral fitting and filter assembly includes a tubular body (119) having a integral proximal fitting piece (121) and an integral distal fitting piece (122). A central passage (125) extends through the proximal fitting piece and the distal fitting piece of the body. A tubular filter assembly sleeve including a filter sub-assembly (142) and tubular extension sleeve (140) is slidably received within the central passage of the body. The filter sub-assembly includes two end caps (144, 145) and a center piece (146). The center piece is packed with a selective chemical-absorbent packing material (26), that is retained within the center piece by first and second porous plugs (148) secured within opposite ends of the center piece of the end caps.

Abstract: An integral fitting and filter assembly includes a tubular body (119) having a integral proximal fitting piece (121) and an integral distal fitting piece(122). A central passage (125) extends through the proximal fitting piece and the distal fitting piece of the body. A tubular filter assembly sleeve including a filter sub-assembly (142) and tubular extension sleeve (140) is slidably received within the central passage of the body. The filter sub-assembly includes two end caps (144, 145) and a center piece (146). The center piece is packed with a selective chemical-absorbent packing material (26), that is retained within the center piece by first and second porous plugs (148) secured within opposite ends of the center piece of the end caps.