Patent ID: 7847210

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: an inductively coupled plasma torch assembly comprising: a plurality of tubes; a collar bonded to or integrally formed with at least one tube, the collar comprising a first abutment surface; a base for holding the tubes during operation of the torch comprising a portion for receiving the collar and a second abutment surface; co-operating interlocking portions for removably urging the first and second abutment surfaces together by relative rotation of the interlocking portions wherein the first and second abutment surfaces comprise a complimentary taper for aligning the collar in concentric formation with at least one other tube on the base by co-operation of the interlocking portions; wherein the plurality of tubes includes a coolant tube, a plasma tube which in use is disposed within the coolant tube and a sample tube which in use is disposed within the plasma tube; and each of the sample tube and coolant tube are provided with an interlocking, portion and the base comprises complementary interlocking portions including an interlocking portion for co-acting with the interlocking portion of the coolant tube to lock it on the base concentrically about the plasma tube and an interlocking portion for co-acting with the interlocking portion of the sample tube to lock the sample tube concentrically within the plasma tube.