Mass spectrometer
View Patent ↗The invention relates to an LC/MS interface provided with structure that the end of a spray capillary is rarely damaged and the object is to provide the LC/MS interface which a general user can easily operate, which inhibits the extension of a separation band and the deterioration of detection sensitivity and which enables high separation and sensitive analysis. A metallic member having a hole for connecting a separation column and a spray capillary and a resin member for fixing the upstream side of the short spray capillary are used. Further, to enhance operability, spray ionization using gas spraying is used.
1. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
a pump for conveying a sample;
a tube for conveying the sample;
a spray tube for taking the sample conveyed from the tube;
a metallic member that supports the tube;
a resin member that supports the spray tube;
a mass spectrograph that analyzes the mass of an ion sprayed from the spray tube; and
an information processing unit that processes the result of analysis by the mass spectrograph, wherein:
the resin member is closely in contact with the peripheral surface of the spray tube except an open face at a sample intake end and at least a part of the resin member is in contact with the metallic member; and
a sample outlet of the tube is located in the vicinity of the sample intake end of the spray tube.
2. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein:
the resin member has a hole for inserting the spray tube; and
the hole is tapered along the spray tube.
3. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein:
the resin member and the metallic member are fixed by a fixture.
4. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein:
the central axis of the tube and the central axis of the spray tube are substantially aligned.
5. A mass spectrometer according to claim 1 , wherein:
the central axis of the resin member and the central axis of the metallic member are substantially aligned.
6. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
a pump for conveying a sample;
a tube for conveying the sample;
a spray tube for taking the sample conveyed from the tube;
a metallic member that supports the tube;
a housing that houses the metallic member;
a resin member that supports the spray tube;
a mass spectrograph that analyzes the mass of an ion sprayed from the spray tube; and
an information processing unit that processes the result of analysis by the mass spectrograph, wherein:
a sample outlet of the tube is located in the vicinity of the sample intake end of the spray tube; and
the housing and the resin member are fitted.
7. A mass spectrometer according to claim 6 , wherein:
the resin member has concave and convex portions;
the resin member is in contact with at least a part of the housing on the side of either of the concave or convex portions; and
the resin member is in contact with at least a part of the metallic member on the side of the other of the concave and convex portions.
8. A mass spectrometer according to claim 6 , further comprising:
a first fixture for fixing the resin member and the metallic member;
a keep member; and
a second fixture for fixing the resin member and the housing.
9. A mass spectrometer, comprising:
a pump for conveying a sample;
a tube for conveying the sample;
a spray tube for taking the sample conveyed from the tube;
a first supporting member that supports the tube;
a second supporting member that supports the spray tube;
a mass spectrograph that analyzes the mass of an ion sprayed from the spray tube; and
an information processing unit that processes the result of analysis by the mass spectrograph, wherein:
the second supporting member is made of material having lower hardness than that of the first supporting member; and
a sample outlet of the tube is located in the vicinity of the sample intake end of the spray tube.
10. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , wherein:
the tube is a separation column or a capillary.
11. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , wherein:
the tube is fixed to the metallic member by a fixture.
12. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a sleeve that houses at least a part of the tube.
13. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , wherein:
the tube is in contact with an opening having a smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter of the sample outlet of the tube of the metallic member; and
the sample outlet of the tube and the sample intake end of the spray tube are arranged via the opening of the metallic member.
14. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , wherein:
the length of the spray tube is in a range from approximately 1 mm to approximately 50 mm;
at least a part of the resin member is in contact with a fitting part provided to the metallic member; and
the sample outlet of the tube and the sample intake end of the spray tube are located close to the inside of the fitting part.
15. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , wherein:
the length of a part located outside the resin member of the spray tube is in a range from approximately 0.1 mm to approximately 50 mm.
16. A mass spectrometer according to claim 13 , wherein:
the length in a direction of the main flow of the sample of the opening is in a range from approximately 0.01 mm to approximately 0.5 mm.
17. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a metallic cover which is in contact with at least a part of the resin member and which is located in the vicinity of the sample outlet of the spray tube.
18. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , further comprising:
gas intake means an open end of which is located in the vicinity of the spray tube.
19. A mass spectrometer according to claim 9 , further comprising:
a capillary connected to the pump and the tube; and
a union for connecting the capillary and the tube.
20. A member for mass spectrometry, comprising:
a tube for conveying a sample;
a spray tube for taking the sample conveyed from the tube;
a metallic member that supports the tube;
a resin member that supports the spray tube; and
a cover that covers a part protruded outside the resin member of the spray tube, wherein:
the resin member is closely in contact with the peripheral surface except an open face at a sample intake end of the spray tube and at least a part of the resin member is in contact with the metallic member; and
a sample outlet of the tube is located in the vicinity of the sample intake end of the spray tube.