Zero voltage mass spectrometry probes and systems
The invention generally relates to zero volt mass spectrometry probes and systems. In certain embodiments, the invention provides a system including a mass spectrometry probe including a porous material, and a mass spectrometer (bench-top or miniature mass spectrometer). The system operates without an application of voltage to the probe. In certain embodiments, the probe is oriented such that a distal end faces an inlet of the mass spectrometer. In other embodiments, the distal end of the probe is 5 mm or less from an inlet of the mass spectrometer.
1. A system comprising:
a mass spectrometry probe comprising a porous material, wherein at least a portion of a surface of the porous material comprises one or more modified properties; and
a mass spectrometer, wherein the system operates without an application of voltage to the probe.
2. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the probe is oriented such that the porous material faces an inlet of the mass spectrometer and a distal end of the porous material is 5 mm or less from the inlet of the mass spectrometer.
3. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the distal end comprises a tip comprised of the porous material.
4. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the porous material is paper.
5. The system according to claim 4 , wherein the paper is filter paper.
6. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the mass spectrometer is a miniature mass spectrometer.
7. The system according to claim 1 , further comprising a device for supplying solvent to the mass spectrometry probe.
8. The system according to claim 5 , wherein a solvent is continuously supplied to the mass spectrometry probe.
9. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the porous material comprises an internal standard.
10. The system according to claim 2 , wherein the probe operates without pneumatic assistance.
11. A method for analyzing a sample, the method comprising:
providing a system comprising a mass spectrometry probe comprising a porous material in which at least a portion of a surface of the porous material comprises one or more modified properties, and a mass spectrometer, wherein the system operates without an application of voltage to the probe;
introducing a sample to the mass spectrometry probe; and
analyzing sample droplets introduced into the mass spectrometer from the mass spectrometry probe.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the sample is a biological sample.
13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the biological sample is a body fluid.
14. The method according to claim 13 , wherein the body fluid is blood or urine.
15. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the probe is oriented such that the porous material faces an inlet of the mass spectrometer and a distal end of the porous material is 5 mm or less from the inlet of the mass spectrometer.
16. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the distal end comprises a tip comprised of the porous material.
17. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the porous material is paper.
18. The method according to claim 17 , wherein the paper is filter paper.
19. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the mass spectrometer is a miniature mass spectrometer.
20. The method according to claim 11 , further comprising a device for supplying solvent to the mass spectrometry probe.