Patent ID: 9390901
Filing Date: 2016-07-12
CPC Classification: H01J

Claim Text:
1. A system for sampling a surface, comprising: a surface sampling probe comprising a solvent liquid supply conduit and a distal end; a sample collector for suspending a sample collection liquid adjacent to the distal end of the surface sampling probe; a first electrode for providing a first voltage to solvent liquid at the distal end of the surface sampling probe, the first voltage producing a field sufficient to generate an electrospray at the distal end of the surface sampling probe; a second electrode for providing a second voltage, the second electrode being positioned to produce an electrospray plume directing field sufficient to direct electrosprayed droplets and ions at the distal end of the surface sampling probe to the suspended sample collection liquid, the second voltage being less than the first voltage in absolute value; and a voltage supply system for supplying the voltages to the first electrode and the second electrode.