Patent ID: 7288760

Claim:
A method, comprising: providing a manifold having: a throughput valving means operable for coupling to an atmospheric sampling environment or volume; an inlet valving means for introducing an atmospheric or other sample containing an analyte(s) of interest into a mass-selective detector, component, or instrument; a fractioning means operably coupled to: (i) a pumping means, (ii) said inlet valving means, and (iii) said throughput valving means for fractioning said sample; and, wherein said manifold is fully conformational with said sampling environment and said detector, component, or instrument whereby a selectable flow of said sample is introduced from said sampling environment or volume into said manifold by means of said throughput valving means and further into said mass-selective detector, component, or instrument at the operational vacuum or pressure for said detector, component, or instrument by means of said inlet valving means, the coordinated operation of said throughput valving means and said inlet valving means permitting sampling, monitoring, and/or analysis of said analyte(s) in said sampling environment in real-time.