Patent ID: 7973278

Claim:
A microengineered ionisation device provided on a single chip for coupling between a fluid source and a mass spectrometer, the device, in use, providing for a generation of an ion beam from a fluid originating in the fluid source, the generated ion beam being subsequently directed into the mass spectrometer, the device including: a) an input having an alignment feature for cooperating with a capillary input from the fluid source so as to provide for a direct coupling of the source to the input of the device, the capillary input transporting the fluid from the source to the device where it exits as a spray from a tip of the capillary input into the device; b) an output from which the generated ion beam exits the device; c) an orifice defining an ion path between the capillary input and the output; d) at least one conducting electrode provided in an orientation substantially perpendicular to the ion path, and wherein each of the input, the alignment feature, the orifice, the at least one electrode and the output are integrally formed in the chip and the generated ion beam exits the device prior to being directed into the mass spectrometer.