ROBOTIC AUTOSAMPLER FOR AUTOMATED ELECTROSPRAY FROM A MICROFLUIDIC CHIP

摘要

A robotic autosampler (1) provides for automated manipulation of microfluidic chips having multiple electrospray devices and/or sample inlets (113) for interface to a mass spectrometer (111) or other detection device. The autosampler also provides for connection of control voltages to the electrospray device to facilitate enablement, control and steering of charged droplets and ions. The autosampler further provides a method of fluid delivery that may be disposable or reusable. The delivery device may contain materials for component separation or sample purification. The delivery device may contain preloaded sample or the sample may be loaded by the autosampler. A method for automated manipulation of multiple electrosprays (115) in communication with a detector, includes: providing a robot autosampler having an electrospray chip (80); electrospraying at least one analyte from at least one electrospray device on the electrospray chip; and manipulating the electrospray chip in communication with a detector in a manner to detect analyte from the electrospray.