US 12,259,370 B2
Electrospray assisted capillary device for processing ultra low-volume samples
Si Wu, Norman, OK (US); Lushuang Huang, Norman, OK (US); and Zhe Wang, San Francisco, CA (US)
Assigned to The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK (US)
Filed by The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK (US)
Filed on May 20, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/750,022.
Application 17/750,022 is a continuation in part of application No. 17/194,539, filed on Mar. 8, 2021, granted, now 11,340,200.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/986,732, filed on Mar. 8, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0283126 A1, Sep. 8, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G01N 30/16 (2006.01); G01N 30/72 (2006.01)
CPC G01N 30/16 (2013.01) [G01N 30/7233 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. An electrospray assisted apparatus for analyzing an ultra-low-volume sample, comprising:
(1) a capillary tube comprising a lumen, an inner surface, an outer surface, an inlet end, and a discharge end having a porous section, wherein the capillary tube is configured to contain the ultra-low-volume sample, and wherein the porous section of the discharge end is configured to exert an electric force on the capillary tube, and wherein the inlet end is configured to receive the ultra-low-volume sample;
(2) an upstream connector comprising a first branch, a second branch, a third branch, and an upstream lead conductor, wherein the capillary tube is positioned within the upstream lead connector, extending from the first branch through the second branch, wherein the inlet end of the capillary tube is positioned to receive the ultra-low-volume sample, wherein the upstream lead conductor is positioned adjacent to the inlet end of the capillary tube and extends perpendicular to the upstream connector at the first branch, and wherein the third branch is configured to receive a gas;
(3) a downstream connector comprising a first branch, a second branch, a third branch, and a conductive interface, wherein the discharge end of the capillary tube is positioned within the downstream connector such that the discharge end of the capillary tube is inserted into the first branch and exits from the second branch, wherein (a) the third branch of the downstream connector is configured to receive a conductive fluid from a conductive fluid source such that the conductive fluid surrounds the discharge end of the capillary tube, (b) the conductive interface is configured for contact with the conductive fluid, and (c) the conductive interface is configured to receive an electric signal; and
wherein, when the conductive interface of the downstream connector receives the electric signal, a pressure differential is formed between the inlet end and the discharge end of the capillary tube forming an electrospray plume comprising the ultra-low-volume sample.