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Abstract

An automated electrospray ionization (ESI) device and related methods to optimize electrospray interface conditions for mass spectrometric analysis. The optimization process can be performed with calibration or optimization solutions that produce expected ESI parameters such as an ESI signal or an ion current. The ESI device may include an input/output (I/O) controller that is coupled to an electrospray assembly including an XYZ stage for positioning an electrospray emitter relative to a mass spectrometer orifice. The I/O controller may be connected to a power supply for applying an adjustable electrospray ionization voltage, and an adjustable flow regulator that alters the flow of solution by modifying applied voltage and/or pressure. A central processing unit instructs the I/O controller to control selectively the electrospray assembly based on the resultant signals from the mass spectrometer or the ion currents within the mass spectrometer in accordance with a predetermined optimization algorithm. The resulting ESI signal or ion currents are monitored and provide feedback to the I/O controller which can automatically instruct selected system components to make adjustments as needed to attain optimal settings that produce expected ESI signals or ion currents in the mass spectrometer for selected solutions.

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First Claim