Patent ID: 6977369

Claim:
A coldspray mass spectrometer for performing a mass analysis by spraying a solution sample at a low temperature and desolvating the sample, said coldspray mass spectrometer comprising: (a) a needle pipe through which the solution sample is passed; (b) a sheath tube which is formed coaxially with the needle pipe and through which a temperature-controlled nebulizing gas is passed; (c) a desolvation block having a passageway extending from a tip of the needle pipe, the passageway permitting passage of charged liquid droplets of the solution sample, the desolvation block acting to remove a solvent from the charged liquid droplets passing through the passageway; (d) cooling means for cooling the desolvation block; (e) heating means for heating the desolvation block; and (f) a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the desolvation block; wherein said desolvation block can be controlled to any desired temperature.