Patent ID: 7615744

Claim:
A microengineered nanospray ionisation device provided on a single chip for coupling between a removable capillary nanospray source input and a separate mass spectrometer, the device comprising: a first alignment feature for cooperating with the removable capillary input, the removable capillary input being receivable into the device and providing for a transport of a fluid to the ionisation device; a second alignment feature for cooperating with a capillary output, the capillary output providing an ion beam to the mass spectrometer; an orifice defining an ion path between the capillary input and capillary output; at least one conducting electrode provided in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the ion path, and wherein each of the first alignment feature, the second alignment feature, the orifice and the at least one electrode are integrally formed in the chip, and wherein the device is configured such that the removable capillary input is operably provided within the device relative to the at least one conducting electrode such that operably a potential difference between the capillary input and the at least one electrode is provided that ionises fluid on exiting the capillary input such that it enters into the device in a spray form.