Mass Spectrometer Detector for Liquid Chromatography

A specialized mass spectrometer is proposed as a universal detector for liquid chromatographyapplications. This device will be highly suited to the analysis of organic compounds in complex fluidsand will allow biomedical researchers to both identify and quantitate various species of interest rapidlyand with no previous training in the use of a mass spectrometer. The instrument, an atmosphericpressure chemical ionization-time of flight mass spectrometer (APCI-TOF-MS), will provide for theefficient ionization and delivery of analyte species to a mass sensitive detector with electronic integratingcapabilities. Various chromatography conditions (flowrate, buffer concentration, solution conductivity)will have minimum impact on the performance or reliability of the instrument by virtue of a specialultrasonic nebulization inlet system which has been specifically engineered for the delivery of liquids toanalytical instruments. As a package, the combination of the ultrasonic nebulization system and theAPCI-TOF-MS will provide solvent-independent operation over flowrates ranging from capillaryelectrophoresis range to microbore LC range (0.1- 400 mu l min-1). The TOF mass analyzer andintegrated transient recorder will allow even the most rapid elution conditions to be maintained whiledelivering high sensitivity and very high subsecond dynamic range.