Patent ID: 8614100

Claim:
A method of depositing samples, in which at least one sample is arranged on a substrate, said method comprising the steps of: positioning a sample dispenser above the substrate, and actuating the sample dispenser so that a sample is moved from the sample dispenser along a trajectory to a predefined deposition position on the substrate, and shielding at least part of the trajectory against electrical interference fields, wherein the shielding step is comprised of moving the sample along the trajectory such that the sample is shielded against electrical interference fields by a shielding electrode, the shielding electrode being configured to be around and along the trajectory, the shielding electrode having an electrical ground potential, wherein the shielding electrode is comprised of an electrically-grounded and electrically conductive hollow cylinder having a center line, the cylinder being configured to be located between and to fit between the sample dispenser and the substrate, and cylinder being oriented substantially orthogonal to the substrate and substantially parallel to the trajectory, the deposition position being aligned with the center line of the cylinder.