Patent ID: 9312112
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: G01N,H01J

Claim Text:
1. A method of transferring a sample into a mass spectrometer, the method comprising: capturing a surface-wiped sample on a collector; receiving, by a sample chamber, the collector carrying the surface-wiped sample, wherein the sample chamber includes two mechanically coupled portions to allow insertion or removal of the collector by at least partially separating the two portions; forming, through operation of the two portions, a substantially air-tight cavity within the sample chamber, the cavity containing the collector; isolating the sample chamber from the mass spectrometer; evacuating the isolated sample chamber using a vacuum pump to reduce an internal pressure of the sample chamber to a level substantially less than atmospheric pressure to increase an effective concentration of the sample; heating the collector to release the sample from the collector; and introducing the sample into the mass spectrometer from the evacuated sample chamber.