Patent ID: 7091477
Filing Date: 2006-08-15
Classification: H01J,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method of providing ionized particles of a sample to a mass spectrometer, said ionized particles having characteristic mass to charge (m/z) ratios, said method comprising: providing a tortuous flow of gas within a channel, said tortuous flow having at least one region of disturbance, to transport said ionized particles; introducing a first mixture of said ionized particles and any attached impurities into said flow to allow said ionized particles to collide in said region of disturbance; heating said region of disturbance to a temperature in excess of a temperature of a region immediately downstream of said region of disturbance in said channel, in order to promote liberation of at least some of said ionized particles from said impurities; thereby increasing the concentration of said ionized particles having said characteristic m/z ratios in said flow.