Multi-dimensional ion mobility spectrometry methods and apparatus
View Patent ↗Various embodiments of a multi-dimensional ion mobility analyzer are disclosed that have more than one drift chamber and can acquire multi-dimensional ion mobility profiles of substances. The drift chambers of this device can, for example, be operated under independent operational conditions to separate charged particles based on their distinguishable chemical/physical properties. The first dimension drift chamber of this device can be used either as a storage device, a reaction chamber, and/or a drift chamber according to the operational mode of the analyzer. Also presented are various methods of operating an ion mobility spectrometer including, but not limited to, a continuous first dimension ionization methods that can enable ionization of all chemical components in the sample regardless their charge affinity.
1. A wet sampling apparatus comprising:
a a swab having a pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces;
b at least one solvent is added to the swab for sampling;
c at least some samples on the swab are analyzed.
2. The sampling apparatus of claim 1 , further comprise a thermal desorber with a heater for introducing the samples for analysis.
3. The sampling apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces of the swab matches the pattern of the heater inside of the thermal desorber.
4. A sample introduction apparatus comprising:
(a) a dry and/ or wetted swab for swabbing a surface collecting the sample;
(b) a holder to hold the swab;
(c) a electrode that applies voltage to the swab to electrospray the collected sample; and
(d) an analyzer that receives the electrosprayed sample.
5. The sample introduction apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the swab has a pattern of hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces.
6. A sample introduction method comprising:
(a) collecting a sample with a dry and/ or wetted swab;
(b) holding the swab with a holder;
(c) applying a voltage to the holder with a electrode to electrospray the collected sample; and
(d) receiving the electrosprayed sample with an analyzer.
7. The sample introduction apparatus of claim 6 , wherein swabbing comprises dissolving, soaking, or adhering a targeted compound into the swab for better physical pick-up of the sample.
8. The sample introduction method of claim 6 , further comprises adding pressure to the swab.
9. The sample introduction method of claim 8 , wherein the pressure is applied directly.
10. The sample introduction method of claim 8 , wherein the pressure is applied indirectly.
11. The sample introduction method of claim 8 , wherein the swab is sealed inside the holder as the pressure is added.