US 11,913,861 B2
Electrostatic loading of powder samples for ionization
Brian D Musselman, Melrose, MA (US); and Frederick Li, Everett, MA (US)
Assigned to Bruker Scientific LLC, Billerica, MA (US)
Filed by IonSense Inc., Saugus, MA (US)
Filed on May 25, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/330,121.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/030,081, filed on May 26, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0372892 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. G01N 1/38 (2006.01); G01N 1/44 (2006.01); H01J 49/16 (2006.01); H01J 49/12 (2006.01); H01J 49/04 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 1/38 (2013.01) [G01N 1/44 (2013.01); H01J 49/0459 (2013.01); H01J 49/12 (2013.01); H01J 49/165 (2013.01); G01N 2001/386 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of ionizing analytes with an atmospheric pressure ionization device comprising:
(a) pretreating a sampling substrate to increase a particle retention capacity thereof, wherein said pretreating involves contacting the sampling substrate with a solution containing a viscous liquid;
(b) orienting the sampling substrate in proximity of a powder sample containing an analyte;
(c) transferring the powder sample to the sampling substrate using an electrostatic charge; and
(d) directing an ionizing species at the sampling substrate to generate ions of the analyte.