Patent ID: 6710335
Filing Date: 2004-03-23
Classification: H01J,Y10T

Abstract:
A device for preparing a sample molecule, for processing and/or analysis, the improvement comprising employing:a reservoir holding a fluid comprised of the sample molecule; an ejector comprising an acoustic radiation generator for generating acoustic radiation and a focusing means for focusing the acoustic radiation at a focal point near the surface of the fluid; and a means for positioning the ejector in acoustic coupling relationship to the reservoir to eject a droplet of the fluid therefrom; a substrate having a designated site on a surface thereof adapted to receive a droplet of fluid from the reservoir; a mean for positioning the substrate relative to the reservoir so that the designated site on the substrate surface is placed in droplet-receiving relationship to the reservoir, thereby allowing deposition of the analyte molecule thereon; and a mean for applying energy to the designated site in a manner sufficient to ionize the analyte molecule and to release the analyte molecule from the substrate surface for analysis.