A heated capillary tube is axially supported in center of a housing under cuum. One end of the capillary tube receives ions from an ion source. The other end of the capillary tube terminates adjacent to the inner side of a flat plate having an orifice. A transport tube is connected to the outer side of the flat plate and has an open outer end. A first electrical field exists between the capillary tube and the plate to control the flow of ions. A second electrical field exists downstream of the plate, and the tube is disposed within the second electrical field. The transport tube allows for more efficient focusing of ions by the electrical and aerodynamic means to the mass spectrometer. A mechanical valve may be coupled to the capillary tube to independently control the flow of ions and the entire probe may be removed without compromising the vacuum in the mass spectrometer.
The present invention relates to a heated capillary assembly which connects an atmospheric pressure ionization source to a lower pressure mass analyzing system which comprises a capillary tube removably secured to, and extending through the bore of a capillary support assembly.
An aerosol generator includes a fluid supply which supplies fluid to a fluid passage, a main heater which heats the fluid into a gaseous state and a preheater which delivers a volume of fluid to the main heater. The preheater can be located in or adjacent a metering chamber which receives a predetermined volume of fluid, the preheater heating a portion of the fluid so as to form a vapor bubble which ejects the remaining fluid from the chamber. An outlet of the aerosol generator is arranged to receive the volatilized fluid formed by the main heater and direct the volatilized fluid out of the fluid passage. The aerosol generator can be used to generate aerosols containing medicated materials.
A method is provided for generating an aerosol. The method includes preparing a solution formed of a first component in a liquid component such that after volatilization of the liquid component by passing the solution through a flow passage while heating the solution, an aerosol is formed having a predetermined particle size distribution of the first component, wherein the solution is prepared such that the amount of the first component therein is sufficient to achieve the predetermined particle size distribution of the first component. The method also includes passing the solution through the flow passage while heating the solution to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the liquid component, wherein the flow passage comprises an outlet through which the first component and the volatilized liquid component flow, and wherein an aerosol is formed.
A disposable aerosol generator for use with an inhaler device which includes a heater adapted to volatilize fluid stored in the disposable aerosol generator and method of using the inhaler. The disposable body includes a sealed chamber and an outlet, the chamber being located between first and second layers of material. The chamber holds a predetermined volume of a fluid which is expelled through the outlet when the fluid in the chamber is volatilized by the heater. The disposable body can include a series of spaced apart aerosol generators, each of which can be advanced to a release position at which the heater can heat one of the fluid containing chambers. Prior to heating the fluid, the outlet can be formed by severing the first and/or second layer with a piercing element and the volatilized fluid can be expelled from the outlet into a passage of a dispensing member.
