Patent ID: 7126115

Claim:
An apparatus for introducing sample ions into a mass spectrometer, said apparatus comprising: a housing configured for removably interfacing with an entrance orifice of a first vacuum region of a mass spectrometer such that said ions introduced through said entrance orifice are further introduced into and through a capillary into said vacuum region of said mass spectrometer; a spray needle assembly positioned within said housing, said assembly including a needle with an outer surface and a means for adjustably positioning said needle within said assembly; and a means for securing a capillary within said housing in coaxial alignment with said spray needle assembly, said capillary having a first end for receiving sample ions from said needle and a second end for delivering said sample ions into said entrance orifice; wherein at least one of said needle and said means for securing said capillary has a potential applied thereto for establishing a potential difference therebetween, and wherein said potential difference ionizes said sample.