Patent ID: 8759757

Claim:
A system for ionizing samples for input to a mass spectrometer, comprising: a housing mounted on an ionization chamber of the mass spectrometer and within an opening of the ionization chamber, the housing comprising: a channel through the housing; a first electrical contact, said first electrical contact configurable to be in electrical communication with a high voltage power supply; and a second electrical contact, said second electrical contact in electrical communication with a corona discharge electrode disposed proximal to an ion inlet aperture of the mass spectrometer; a first assembly matable with the housing, comprising: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample, the capillary disposed within the channel of the housing when the first assembly is mated to the housing; an electrode of the capillary; and an electrical contact in electrical communication with the electrode, the electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrical contact of the housing when the first assembly is mated to the housing; and a second assembly matable with the housing, comprising: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample, the capillary disposed within the channel of the housing when the second assembly is mated to the housing; a first electrical contact in electrical communication with the first electrical contact of the housing when the second assembly is mated to the housing; and a second electrical contact in electrical communication with the second electrical contact of the housing when the second assembly is mated to the housing, wherein the first and second assemblies are interchangeably matable with the housing for ionizing the sample by electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) respectively.