
Automated Direct Insertion Probe for Finnigan TRACE MS Mass Spectrometer from Thermo Electron Corp.
|
SIS AP1000 attached to the Finnigan TRACE MS. |
The AutoProbe System is an Automated Direct Exposure Probe (DEP) for the Finnigan TRACE MS, PolarisQ, and TRACE DSQ Mass Spectrometer systems. The AutoProbe System injects samples directly into the MS source for mass spec sample analysis with no chromatographic separation. This permits samples to be analyzed in 3 minutes or less. The AutoProbe operates in the Thermo Finnigan Xcalibur MS Software environment and is fully integrated with the Xcalibur software, including system setup, methods setup, system operation and data storage. Applications of the direct probe technique include the screening of drug and pharmaceutical samples, quality control sample analysis, spot analysis of chemical reaction mixtures to monitor rates of synthesis, and the analysis of compounds which cannot be chromatographed. The AutoProbe System is used where high volumes of samples need to be analyzed quickly or it can be used in an "Open Access" environment where it can be used by multiple users with minimal MS expertise.

Figure 2 - AP1000 AutoProbe DEP Probe Tip (Plug in Replaceable Tips)
The AutoProbe system uses a Direct Exposure Probe (DEP) tip with a platinum wire on the end of a probe for the analysis of samples. Samples for analysis are dissolved in a suitable solvent and 0.125 to 1.0 ul of the prepared sample solution is injected onto a small platinum wire loop on the tip of the probe via the CTC Autosampler syringe.

Figure 3 - Injecting sample onto DEP Filament Wire Coil
Features:
Automated Direct Probe for continuous analysis of probe samples
Can be used in Open Access Mode of Operation
Unattended analysis 200 to 500 samples per day
MS analysis of samples in 2 to 5 minutes per sample
Uses Direct Exposure Probe (DEP) Technique (also called DCI)
Uses CTC PAL Autosampler to load liquid samples onto probe tip
Long life plug in replaceable probe filaments (expected life > 1000 samples)
Long life probe seals (expected life > 2000 injections)
Analyze samples at a constant current or program in up to three temperature ramps
Automatic cleaning of filament between samples via high temperature bakeout
Totally integrated with the Thermo Finnigan Xcalibur software
Easy to replace probe seals have expected life in excess of 2000 injections
Automatic injection of probe though an automated vacuum lock isolation valve
Vacuum gauge in isolation valve eliminates probe from injecting if the system has leaks.
Automatic error detection designed into the software
Can use different methods for subsequent samples in a series
Figure 4 - AutoProbe PC Method Window for setting up probe analysis parameters
The AutoProbe can analyze sample sizes from 500 nanograms down to less than 1.0 nanograms in less than 1.0 minutes of MS analysis time. It requires about 2.0 minutes to inject the sample into and out of the MS vacuum system, for a total time of about 3.0 minutes between samples. In addition the AutoProbe technique has been shown to be very reproducible, quantitative and there are no "memory effects" with this technique as demonstrated in the two application notes listed below.
Figure 5 - Typical Sample Analysis via the AutoProbe
For additional details click onto the detailed descriptive material on the AutoDesorb system below. The application notes below demonstrate the operation of the AutoProbe for the analysis of samples. For additional pricing and ordering information, contact John Manura at Scientific Instrument Services, or call (908) 788-5550 ext: 800.
Send comments on this page