Patent ID: 8546752

Claim:
A method comprising: introducing a solvent into an extraction tip; prior to extracting analytes from a dried blood spot card, causing the solvent to contact a solid phase extraction (SPE) or chromatographic packing material within the extraction tip; extracting the analytes from the dried blood spot card by: dispensing the solvent from a first end of the extraction tip to form a micro liquid junction that extends between the first end of the extraction tip and a surface of the dried blood spot card outside of the extraction tip; allowing the solvent to dissolve the analytes from the dried blood spot card; and aspirating the solvent and dissolved analytes into the extraction tip from the surface of the dried blood spot card through the first end of the extraction tip such that the analytes are retained in the SPE packing material in the extraction tip by applying a vacuum at a second end of the extraction tip; interfacing the extraction tip to an automation device to deliver the extraction tip used to extract the analytes to an ion sprayer; and directing ions from the ion sprayer to a mass analyzer.