AutoProbe
™
Scientific Instrument Services, Inc.
™
FAX: 908-806-6631
www.sisweb.com/catalog/08/A57
Features
Capabilities
•
Automated Direct Exposure Probe (DEP or DCI) for the
Thermo TRACE DSQ
™
, Focus DSQ, DSQ II,
and PolarisQ
™
MS
•
Unattended, quantitative, reproducible analysis of samples
(3 to 5 minutes per sample).
•
Integrated CTC liquid autosampler (included) for loading
samples onto probe tip. Holds four sample trays of +54
samples each.
Software
•
Fully integrated with Thermo Xcalibur
™
software,
- optional support for Open Access
™
operation
Maintenance and Robustness
•
Plug in replaceable DEP probe filaments (expected life
> 500 samples
•
Easily replaceable probe shaft seals (expected life
> 500 injections)
•
Sequence stops automatically if leaks, broken filaments or
other problems occur.
•
Vacuum gauge in isolation valve prevents insertion of
probe into source if seals are leaking.
•
Automatic repositioning of probe without vacuum leaks if
a power outage occurs when the probe is in the MS
vacuum
T
he SIS AutoProbe integrates a CTC liquid autosampler
with an automated Direct Exposure Probe (DEP) for the
automated and unattended injection of dissolved or sus-
pended samples directly into the Thermo TRACE DSQ
™
or Polaris
Q
™
MS source for direct MS analysis. Using this technique, samples
can be analyzed in about three minutes without any chromato-
graphic separation. The AutoProbe is fully integrated with the
Thermo Xcalibur™ software, including system setup, methods
setup, system operation and data storage.
The DEP (or DCI) technique is a quick technique for the analy-
sis of samples that are not volatile enough to be introduced into the
mass spectrometer via a GC and therefore must be directly intro-
duced into the mass spectrometer source. The DEP technique is
normally used for single component samples since minimal sepa-
ration of samples is possible with this technique and samples with
two or more components are difficult to interpret. Alternatively DEP
sample analysis is performed utilizing CI (Chemical Ionization)
mass spectrometer techniques, which produce less fragmentation
and increase abundance of a molecular ion. Due to the increased
abundance of a molecular ion and reduced fragmentation in the CI
technique, it is possible to analyze and interpret mixtures of two or
more compounds in a sample.
NEW -SIS
™
AP2000
AutoProbe
™
T
he AutoProbe is a direct exposure probe designed
for automated and unattended injection of samples
into the Thermo TRACE DSQ
™
, DSQ II, and
PolarisQ
™
MS. Samples can be analyzed in about three
minutes in standard or open access modes of operation.
A57
When “Thermo” is indicated, it is intended to imply “Thermo Fisher Scientific Corp.”
AutoProbe
™
A58
T
he AutoProbe components are shown below. A CTC liq-
uid autosampler loads samples onto the replaceable
probe tip via a syringe. The probe tip is attached to a
probe rod attached to a servo linear actuator that automatically
drives the probe through an isolation valve and into the mass spec-
trometer source.
Before (or during) analysis, the operators prepare individual
sample vials containing samples dissolved in suitable solvent and
place these on the sample tray.
For each sample in an analysis sequence, the autosampler
starts by loading 0.125 to 1.0 µl of sample and accurately injects it
onto the platinum DEP probe wire filament.
A small initial current is then passed through the DEP filament
wire to evaporate the solvent from the sample.
An isolation valve (bottom left) permits the introduction of the
probe into the mass spectrometer without compromising the MS
vacuum. When the probe is inserted into the first probe seal of the
isolation valve, a vacuum valve opens to allow the accessory vac-
uum pump to evacuate the probe inlet. A vacuum gauge measures
this vacuum, and when the vacuum reaches approximately 200
millitorr, the probe is advanced to a second seal. This vacuum
gauge acts as a safety feature to prevent the probe from being
inserted into the MS source should a vacuum problem occur any-
where in the system. Afterward, a pneumatically controlled ball
valve opens to permit the probe to be inserted through the isolation
valve and into the mass spectrometer.
Once the probe has been inserted into the mass spec source,
a small current (typically 10 to 1000 mA) is passed through the plat-
inum wire to heat the wire and desorb the sample for analysis. This
DEP probe filament can be set to a constant current, or the current
can be programmed in up to three ramp steps to obtain the opti-
mum results depending on the sample being analyzed.
After the sample analysis is complete, the probe tip is retracted
slightly from the MS source, and a high filament current is passed
through the wire coil to burn off any sample remaining on the fila-
ment wire coil. This assures that the filament wire is clean and
ready for the next sample.
AutoProbe Software and PC Control
T
he AutoProbe is controlled by PC software that is fully
integrated within the Thermo™ Xcalibur™ MS software.
The AutoProbe operates as any other standard Xcalibur
virtual instrument, which means that the AutoProbe is configured,
started, stopped and monitored entirely within the Xcalibur user
interface. AutoProbe method settings, such as filament current
ramps within the three heating steps, are stored within the MS
method. (See figure below.)
The AutoProbe may optionally be used in the Xcalibur “Open
Access
™
” mode of operation. This permits the chemist or technician
to log samples into the system using a very simple and locked-
down interface. With no subsequent user interaction, the samples
are analyzed automatically when the system becomes available,
and the results are computed and reported back to the chemist in a
printout or e-mail. This results in increased productivity from the
mass spectrometer lab.
DEP Probe Tip Wire Coil
Automated Isolation Valve
Vacuum Gauge
To MS
Rotary Ball
Valve
First
Vacuum
Valve
To Probe Vacuum Pump
Syringe Needle Guide
Syringe Needle
Platinum DEP Coil
DEP Probe Tip
AutoProbe Method Setup Screen
Xcalibur “Open Access” Log In Screen
Scientific Instrument Services, Inc.
™
Phone: 908-788-5550
www.sisweb.com/catalog/08/A58
A59
AutoProbe
™
A
technique is of little use if “cross contamination” or
“memory effects” occur during sample analysis. This
problem does not occur in the AutoProbe because the
DEP wire is “baked out” at high temperatures between
samples. The chromatograms below show the analysis of a 250 ng
Cholestane sample dissolved in methanol. This analysis was
repeated 5 times. The DEP coil was baked out at 900 mA for 15
seconds after each sample and then a blank clean methanol sam-
ple was analyzed. The blank injection produced a flat baseline with
no carryover from the previous samples.
The charts below show the MS data at 0.18 minutes for the 250
ng of Cholestane and the blank methanol sample. Note that the
scale on the blank methanol spectrum is 1000 times the scale of the
250 nanogram of Cholestane. No peaks were found in the blank
sample that could be attributed to the Cholestane. In this study, as
well as many others, it was confirmed that “memory effects” or
“cross contamination” problems do not occur with the AutoProbe
technique. It is recommended that the high temperature “bake out”
be used in all analysis. A blank sample between analysis is option-
al.
Sensitivity
Direct probe techniques are less sensitive than GC techniques
because the probe peaks in the total ion chromatograph are com-
paratively much wider and therefore less intense. However, by uti-
lizing the rapid temperature ramp capabilities of the AutoProbe,
sample sizes less than one nanogram have been detected and
identified.
Additional information is available on the web at:
www.sisweb.com/autoprobe
Background Check After Running Strong Samples
Typical Calibration Curve for an Analyte Using the AutoProbe
Background MS After Running 5 Consecutive Strong Samples
Voltages
AutoProbe Console Voltage:
110 VAC or 220 VAC
Edwards Vacuum Pump:
110 VAC or 220 VAC
Compressed Air: minimum 60 psi
Mass Spectrometer System Requirements
Thermo TRACE DSQ
™
or Polaris Q
™
MS
System with Xcalibur™Software
(Trace MS supported in our AP1000 AutoProbe)
Dimensions
Console without CTC PAL Autosampler:
17” wide x 42” Deep x 16” High
Console with CTC PAL Autosampler:
23” wide x 42” Deep x 37” High
Weight
Console Weight:
100 pounds
TRACE DSQ™, TRACE MS, Focus DSQ, DSQ II, Polaris Q™,
Thermo™, Xcalibur™, and Open Access™ are Trademarks of Thermo
Electron Corporation. - for mor information visit
www.thermofinnigan.com
AutoProbe System Specifications & Requirements
Part No.
Description
AP2000
Part #AP2000--Click to order
Current Price: $69950.00
Unit of Measure:
EA
Not in stock. Standard lead time for out-of-stock items is approximately two weeks.
AutoProbe System
AP20001
Part #AP20001--Click to order
Current Price: $325.00
Unit of Measure:
EA
Not in stock. Standard lead time for out-of-stock items is approximately two weeks.
AutoProbe DCI Filament
AP20002
Part #AP20002--Click to order
Current Price: $275.00
Unit of Measure:
EA
Not in stock. Standard lead time for out-of-stock items is approximately two weeks.
Calibration Tip
AP20004
Part #AP20004--Click to order
Current Price: $68.50
Unit of Measure:
EA
Not in stock. Standard lead time for out-of-stock items is approximately two weeks.
AutoProbe Seal Set
Scientific Instrument Services, Inc.
™
FAX: 908-806-6631
www.sisweb.com/catalog/08/A59
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Save up to 25% off the price of comparable Edwards replacement
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Identify mass spectra via library
search with the fully-evaluated, most widely used mass spectral
reference library, compiled by the National Institute of Standards
and Technology (NIST). 
View and capture images or video at
20x/400x power on a PC computer via attached USB cable. 