DISPENSER SYSTEM FOR MASS SPECTROMETRIC SAMPLE PREPARATIONS

摘要

The invention relates to the preparation of samples on mass spectrometric sample supports with dispensing of liquids, and particularly to devices and methods to clean the dispenser. During dispensing of hundreds of samples, solved material may crystallize over time as deposit at the capillary tip of the dispenser, which impedes the vertical detachment of the drop in the medium and long run. Therefore, frequently cleaning the capillary tip is essential for a robust operation of the preparation device. The invention proposes to automatically clean the dispenser tip by creating a drop of washing fluid, such as pure solvent, fully enclosing the dispenser tip. The washing fluid is fed through a channel outside the central dispenser capillary to a location slightly above the capillary tip. The size of the hanging drop of washing fluid is photometrically regulated and monitored to prevent it from falling off prematurely.

主权项

1. A dispenser system for preparing samples on a mass spectrometric sample support, having a first micropump designed to press a drop of dispensing liquid out of the tip of a dispensing capillary, and a detachment device designed to detach the drop of dispensing liquid from the tip of the dispensing capillary, comprising:
at least one channel outside the dispensing capillary, ending above the tip of the dispensing capillary, a second micropump designed to press washing fluid through the at least one channel outside of the dispensing capillary to form a drop of washing fluid hanging from the end of the at least one channel and fully enclosing the dispensing capillary tip, and a light source and a light detector arranged and aligned to photometrically monitor and regulate the size of the drop of washing fluid.