WO2025159802A1

WO2025159802A1 - Mass spectrometer interface having a heated chamber

Info

Publication number: WO2025159802A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/051784
Authority: WO
Inventors: Livia Schiavinato Eberlin; Charles Wolfe; Michael J. Keating; Sydney POVILAITIS
Original assignee: Baylor College of Medicine; University of Texas System; University of Texas at Austin
Current assignee: Baylor College of Medicine; University of Texas System; University of Texas at Austin
Priority date: 2024-01-24
Filing date: 2024-10-17
Publication date: 2025-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2026-07-24

Abstract

A mass spectrometry interface is provided that includes a body; a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body; and a conduit. A portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber and the heated chamber is configured to, when a liquid flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid. The body includes an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit. The outlet is configured to interface with a mass spectrometer such that, when the body is coupled to the mass spectrometer, a gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through the outlet. Other aspects and features are also claimed and described.

Description

TITLE

MASS SPECTROMETER INTERFACE HAVING A HEATED CHAMBER

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 63/624,340, filed lanuary 24, 2024, the entirety of which is herein incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present application relates generally to the assessment of tissue samples using mass spectrometry. More specifically, the present application provides a new and innovative interface between a tissue sample collecting probe and a mass spectrometer.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Clinical diagnosis is commonly performed through the evaluation of tissue samples pre-operatively, intra-operative, and post-operatively, at several other stages of the patient's treatment process. Tissue evaluation is very critical in the diagnosis and management of cancer patients. Intra-operative pathologic assessment of excised tissues, for example, is routinely performed for diagnosis and surgical margin evaluation in a variety of cancer surgeries. The resected tissue specimens are sent to a nearby room, often called the “frozen room”, for tissue preparation, staining, and evaluation. The tissue specimen is frozen, sectioned, stained, and interrogated using light microscopy by an expert pathologist who carefully evaluates if the surgical margins contain cancer cells (positive margin) or not (negative margin). While intraoperative frozen section analysis has been performed in clinical practice for decades, it presents many challenges. Freezing artifacts occur during tissue processing and interfere with tissue structure and cell morphology, thus complicating pathologic interpretation. Moreover, certain tumor cells are very difficult to recognize due to their atypical pattern of growth and shape. Molecular approaches could provide highly accurate and potentially real-time assessments of tissue samples. However, to date adequate devices or methodologies have not been developed that provide effective molecular assessment of tissue samples.

SUMMARY

[0004] The following summarizes some aspects of the present disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated features of the disclosure and is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] The present disclosure provides a new and innovative mass spectrometer interface. The interface enables fluid communication between a sample collection probe and a mass spectrometer and evaporates liquid sample (e.g., water and molecules extracted from biological tissue) into a gas phase such that a gas is extracted into the mass spectrometer rather than a liquid. The interface includes a heated chamber within a body of the interface that enables heating the liquid sample outside of the mass spectrometer to evaporate the liquid sample into a gas phase. For instance, tubing can fluidly connect the sample collection probe to a conduit (e.g., an extended capillary) that includes a portion that is housed and contained within the heated chamber. As the liquid sample flows through the portion of the conduit that is within the heated chamber, the liquid sample evaporates into a gas phase. The gas can thereafter be vacuum extracted into the mass spectrometer through an outlet of the interface. For instance, the interface’s outlet can be coupled to the mass spectrometer by way of a sealed manifold. In this way, sample in gas form rather than liquid form flows through the mass spectrometer, which can reduce contamination of the mass spectrometer and increase robustness of the sample analyses as compared to liquid sample flowing through the mass spectrometer.

[0006] In an example, an apparatus includes a body; a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body; and a conduit. A portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and the heated chamber is configured to, when a liquid flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid. The body includes an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit, and the outlet is configured to interface with a mass spectrometer such that, when the body is coupled to the mass spectrometer, a gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through the outlet.

[0007] In an example, a system includes a probe configured to collect a liquid sample; an interface in fluid communication with the probe; and a mass spectrometer in fluid communication with the interface. The interface is configured to receive the liquid sample from the probe and heat the liquid sample so as to evaporate the liquid sample into a gas. The mass spectrometer is configured to receive the gas from the interface

[0008] In an example, a mass spectrometry method includes receiving, using an interface coupled to a mass spectrometer, a liquid sample from a probe in fluid communication with a conduit of the interface; evaporating, using the interface, the liquid sample flowing through the conduit into a gas; and directing, using the interface, the gas through an outlet of the interface such that the gas flows into the mass spectrometer. [0009] The term “coupled” is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically; two items that are “coupled” may be unitary with each other. The terms “a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless this disclosure explicitly requires otherwise. Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context.

[0010] The terms “comprise” and any form thereof such as “comprises” and “comprising,” “have” and any form thereof such as “has” and “having,” and “include” and any form thereof such as “includes” and “including” are open-ended linking verbs. As a result, an apparatus or system that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more elements possesses those one or more elements but is not limited to possessing only those elements. Likewise, a method that “comprises,” “has,” or “includes” one or more steps possesses those one or more steps but is not limited to possessing only those one or more steps.

[0011] Any embodiment of any of the apparatuses, systems, and methods can consist of or consist essentially of — rather than comprise/have/include — any of the described steps, elements, and/or features. Thus, in any of the claims, the term “consisting of’ or “consisting essentially of’ can be substituted for any of the open-ended linking verbs recited above in order to change the scope of a given claim from what it would otherwise be using the open-ended linking verb.

[0012] Further, an apparatus or system that is configured in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but it can also be configured in other ways than those specifically described.

[0013] The feature or features of one embodiment may be applied to other embodiments, even though not described or illustrated, unless expressly prohibited by this disclosure or the nature of the embodiments. Some details associated with the embodiments are described above and others are described below.

[0014] Additional features and advantages of the disclosed method and apparatus are described in, and will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the Figures. The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the figures and description. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label. Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example system for sample collection and analysis, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a box diagram of an example interface, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a front-left perspective view of an example implementation of the interface of FIG. 2, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a rear-right perspective view of the interface of FIG. 3, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the interface of FIG. 3 showing a first portion of a cavity of the interface, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the interface of FIG. 3 showing both the first portion and a second portion of the cavity of the interface, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a heated chamber in isolation, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the interface of FIG. 3 showing an outlet of the interface, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a mass spectrometry method, according to an aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Rather, the detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the inventive subject matter. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in every case.

[0026] The present disclosure provides a new and innovative interface that enables fluid communication between a sample collection probe and a mass spectrometer and evaporates liquid sample (e.g., water and molecules extracted from a sample, such as biological tissue) into a gas phase such that a gas is extracted into the mass spectrometer. To accomplish the evaporation, the interface includes a heated chamber within a body of the interface that enables heating the liquid sample outside of the mass spectrometer to evaporate the liquid sample into a gas phase. For instance, tubing can fluidly connect the sample collection probe to a conduit (e.g., an extended capillary), a portion of which is housed and contained within the heated chamber. As the liquid sample flows through the portion of the conduit that is within the heated chamber, the liquid sample evaporates into a gas phase. The gas can thereafter be vacuum extracted into the mass spectrometer through an outlet of the interface. For instance, the interface’s outlet can be coupled to the mass spectrometer by way of a sealed manifold. A region of vacuum or very low pressure may also be formed within the interface (e.g., in the heated chamber) so that the interface suctions liquid through the conduit. In this way, sample in gas form rather than liquid form flows through the mass spectrometer, which can reduce contamination of the mass spectrometer and increase robustness of the sample analyses as compared to liquid sample flowing through the mass spectrometer.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates an individual interacting with an example system 10 for sample collection and molecular analysis of the sample via mass spectrometry. It will be understood that the interface disclosed herein is not limited to use with system 10 as illustrated and can be used with any modified version of system 10, or similar system, that is suitable for the concepts described herein. System 10 includes a handled device (e.g., sampling probe) that can be used to collect a sample. The sample may be from a biological sample (e.g., human or animal tissue), a material (e.g., plastics, metals, wood, etc.), a plant (e.g., vegetables, fruits, etc.), an object (e.g., luggage, a box, or any suitable surface surface), or other suitable molecules for mass spectrometry analysis. For example, the sampling probe can extract molecules from a biological tissue sample using a discrete water droplet. A syringe pump may be in fluid communication with the sampling probe via tubing to deliver water to the sampling probe. The sampling probe is coupled to a mass spectrometry (MS)-interface (e.g., interface 100 as described herein) via tubing, such as to an extended capillary of the MS-interface. Aspects of the MS-interface (e.g., interface 100) will be described in further detail to follow. An outlet of the MS-interface is coupled to an inlet of a mass spectrometer. [0028] In an example, when system 10 is triggered via the pedal, the syringe pump delivers a controlled volume of water to a reservoir of the sampling probe. The water interacts with the tissue to extract molecules and form a liquid sample droplet. After a period of time for extraction, the liquid sample droplet is transported from the sampling probe to the interface 100. The liquid sample droplet is evaporated into a gas phase within the interface 100 and the gas is thereafter extracted (e.g., vacuum extracted) into the mass spectrometer for molecular analysis. In an example, a region of vacuum or very low pressure may be formed within the interface 100 (e.g., in the heated chamber) so that the interface 100 suctions liquid from the sampling probe and through the conduit of the interface 100.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a box diagram of an interface 100, according to an aspect of the present disclosure. Interface 100 includes a body 102 forming a cavity within body 102. A heated chamber 104 may be disposed within the cavity of the body 102. In some aspects, interface 100 may include more than one heated chamber 104 (e.g., see the implementation of FIGs. 3 to 8). Heated chamber 104 may include a chamber 105 and a heating element 106 that provides heat to the chamber 105. Heating element 106 may be a cartridge heater or another suitable heat source. Interface 100 may include at least one port 108 that allows for fluid communication between components within the cavity and components exterior to the cavity. A conduit 110 may be disposed within the cavity of the body 102. In an example, conduit 110 is a capillary tube. Conduit 110 may extend through heated chamber 104 such that a liquid flowing through conduit 110 evaporates into a gas phase when passing through heated chamber 104. A gas may thereafter exit from conduit 110 and through an outlet 112 of body 102. In some aspects, interface 100 may include more than one conduit 110 (e.g., see the implementation of FIGs. 3 to 8). In at least some aspects, outlet 112 may be adapted to interface with a mass spectrometer such that, when body 102 is coupled to the mass spectrometer, the gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through outlet 112. For example, outlet 112 may be adapted to create a seal with an inlet of the mass spectrometer. With the outlet 112 of interface 100 forming a seal with the mass spectrometer’s inlet, a region of vacuum or very low pressure may be formed within interface 100, such as within heated chamber 104, so that liquid can be suctioned into and through conduit 110.

[0030] In various aspects, interface 100 may include a user interface 114, such as a touch screen display. In such aspects, user interface 114 may allow a user to adjust parameters of interface 100 or of a mass spectrometer when interface 100 is coupled to the mass spectrometer. A controller 116 may receive input signals from user interface 114 and update parameters or control components of interface 100 or of a mass spectrometer when interface 100 is coupled to the mass spectrometer. For example, controller 116 may control heating element 106 of heated chamber 104 in response to a collection and analysis cycle being initiated at user interface 114. In another example, controller 116 may control pinch valves 504A, 504B, 504C, 504D (FIG. 5). Controller 116 may include at least one processor communicatively coupled to at least one memory storing processor-executable code.

[0031] FIGs. 3 to 8 illustrate various views of an example implementation of interface 100. An exterior of body 102 of interface 100 is shown in FIGs. 3 and 4. Body 102 includes a first portion 200 rotatably coupled to a second portion 202. For example, first portion 200 may be rotatably coupled to second portion 202 via hinges 204 A, 204B. In some aspects, other suitable mechanisms may be used to enable rotation of first portion 200 relative to second portion 202. First portion 200 can transition between a first position at which a cavity within body 102 is exposed (e.g., see FIGs. 5 and 6) and a second position at which the cavity is closed by first portion 200 (e.g., see FIGs. 3 and 4). Transitioning first portion 200 to the first position enables a user to access the cavity within body 102, whereas transitioning first portion 200 to the second position prevents a user from contacting the components within the cavity of body 102. For instance, the components within the cavity of body 102 may be hot during operation of interface 100. Second portion 202 of body 102 is illustrated including outlet 112. In some aspects, body 102 may have other suitable structures that both enable and prevent access to the cavity within body 102. For example, first portion 200 may be split into two separate portions, may be coupled to second portion 202 at a different area than illustrated, or may enable access to the cavity without having to rotate. In some aspects, body 102 may have a structure that always enables access to the cavity within body 102. For example, body 102 might not include first portion 200, but rather only include second portion 202.

[0032] In the illustrated embodiment, interface 100 includes ports 108 A, 108B, 108C, 108D, though it will be appreciated that interface 100 may include any suitable quantity of ports 108. Each of ports 108 A, 108B, 108C, 108D may be coupled to tubing. Second portion 202 of body 102 is shown including ports 108A, 108B, 108C, 108D, though first portion 200 of body 102 may include ports 108 A, 108B, 108C, 108D in other aspects.

[0033] Interface 100 is shown including a typical coupling mechanism, including coupling components 400A, 400B (e.g., latches), for coupling interface 100 to a mass spectrometer. Coupling components 400A, 400B are further shown in FIGs. 5 and 6. Such a coupling mechanism is known to one having ordinary skill in the art and will therefore not be further described herein. In other aspects, interface 100 may include a different, known coupling mechanism than that illustrated if such different coupling mechanism can suitably couple interface 100 to a mass spectrometer.

[0034] The interior cavity of body 102 of interface 100 is shown in FIGs. 5 and 6. In the illustrated aspect, FIG. 5 shows a first cavity portion 500A of the cavity within body 102 while a second cavity portion 500B of the cavity is blocked from view by a plate 506. that separates the cavity within body 102 into first cavity portion 500A and second cavity portion 500B. FIG. 6 shows plate 506 removed such that second cavity portion 500B is visible. Plate 506 may serve to prevent a user from contacting components within second cavity portion 500B unless maintenance is required. In some aspects, plate 506 might be omitted. In the illustrated aspect, the at least one conduit 110 of interface 100 includes conduits 110A, HOB. Each of the conduits 110A, HOB includes a respective inlet 508A, 508B that is disposed within first cavity portion 500A, and a respective outlet 702A, 702B (FIGs. 7 and 8). In the illustrated aspect, conduit 110A extends through heated chamber 104 A, and conduit 110B extends through heated chamber 104B. In other aspects, both conduits 110A, 110B may extend through a same heated chamber. Heated chambers 104A, 104B are shown disposed within second cavity portion 500B.

[0035] FIG. 7 shows heated chamber 104B in isolation for explanatory purposes. Heated chamber 104B includes a chamber 105B and a heating element 106B that heats the interior of chamber 105B. For example, wiring 700B may connect heating element 106B to a power source that supplies the power needed for heating element 106B to provide heat to the interior of chamber 105B. Conduit 110B is shown having an inlet 508B and outlet 702B and extending through chamber 105B such that a portion of conduit 110B is within chamber 105B. In this way, heating element 106B can sufficiently heat chamber 105B such that a liquid flowing from the inlet 508B through conduit 110B can evaporate into a gas phase as the liquid passes through chamber 105B so that a gas exits outlet 702B. For example, the heat may be sufficient to evaporate a liquid including water and molecules extracted from a sample, such as a biological tissue sample. It will be understood that the description of heated chamber 104B applies equally to heated chamber 104 A despite the different arrangement of electrical wiring and conduit for heated chamber 104 A as compared to heated chamber 104B.

[0036] Returning to FIGs. 5 and 6, interface 100 may include holders 502A, 502B. Holder 502A includes pinch valves 504A, 504B that can each receive tubing that connects conduit 110A to port 108 A or 108B. Pinch valves 504A, 504B can be activated to restrict flow through the tubing or deactivated to allow flow through the tubing. Similarly, holder 502B includes pinch valves 504C, 504D that can each receive tubing that connects conduit 110B to port 108C or 108D. Pinch valves 504C, 504D can be activated to restrict flow through the tubing or deactivated to allow flow through the tubing.

[0037] FIG. 8 illustrates a magnified view of a rear of interface 100 showing outlet 112 of body 102. As shown, each of the outlets 702A, 702B of conduits 110A, 110B are in fluid communication with outlet 112. In this way, a gas exiting conduits 110A, 110B through outlets 702A, 702B can further exit through outlet 112. When interface 100 is coupled to a mass spectrometer, the gas exiting through outlet 112 may flow into an inlet of the mass spectrometer.

[0038] FIG. 9 shows a flow chart of an example mass spectrometry method. Although the example method 900 is described with reference to the flow chart illustrated in FIG. 9, it will be appreciated that many other methods of performing the acts associated with the method 900 may be used. For example, the order of some of the blocks may be changed, certain blocks may be combined with other blocks, additional blocks may be added, and some of the blocks described may be omitted. At block 902, a liquid sample is received, using an interface (e.g., interface 100) coupled to a mass spectrometer, from a probe in fluid communication with a conduit (e.g., conduit 110A) of the interface 100. The liquid sample may include water and molecules extracted from a sample, which may be from a biological sample (e.g., human or animal tissue), a material (e.g., plastics, metals, wood, etc.), a plant (e.g., vegetables, fruits, etc.), an object (e.g., luggage, a box, or any suitable surface surface), or other suitable molecules for mass spectrometry analysis. In various aspects, the liquid sample is received at the conduit 110A through at least one tube fluidly connecting the probe to the conduit 110A. In various aspects, the liquid sample includes molecules extracted from a biological tissue sample.

[0039] At block 904, the liquid sample flowing through the conduit 110A is evaporated into a gas phase using the interface 100. For example, the liquid sample may be evaporated while flowing through a portion of the conduit 110A that is disposed within a heated chamber (e.g., heated chamber 104 A) of the interface 110.

[0040] At block 906, the gas is directed, using the interface 100, through an outlet (e.g., outlet 112) of the interface 100 such that the gas flows into the mass spectrometer. The interface is coupled to the mass spectrometer when the gas is directed such that the gas flows into the mass spectrometer.

[0041] In one or more aspects, the present interface may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described below or in connection with one or more other processes or devices described elsewhere herein. In a first aspect, an apparatus includes a body; a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body; and a conduit. A portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and the heated chamber is configured to, when a liquid flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid. The body includes an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit, and the outlet is configured to interface with a mass spectrometer such that, when the body is coupled to the mass spectrometer, a gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through the outlet.

[0042] In a second aspect, in combination with the first aspect, the body includes a first portion rotatably connected to a second portion, and the first portion can rotate between a first position at which the cavity within the body is exposed and a second position at which the cavity is closed by the first portion.

[0043] In a third aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect or the second aspect, the heated chamber includes a chamber and a heating element configured to provide heat to the chamber.

[0044] In a fourth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the third aspect, an inlet of the conduit is disposed within the cavity.

[0045] In a fifth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fourth aspect, the apparatus further includes a plate disposed so as to separate the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. In this fifth aspect, an inlet of the conduit is disposed within the first cavity portion and the heated chamber is disposed within the second cavity portion.

[0046] In a sixth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the fifth aspect, the body includes a port configured to be coupled to tubing.

[0047] In a seventh aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the sixth aspect, the apparatus further includes a user interface configured such that a user can adjust parameters of the mass spectrometer when the body is coupled to the mass spectrometer.

[0048] In an eighth aspect, in combination with one or more of the first aspect through the seventh aspect, the apparatus further includes a second conduit and a second heated chamber. A portion of the second conduit extends through the second heated chamber.

[0049] In a ninth aspect, a system includes a probe configured to collect a liquid sample; an interface in fluid communication with the probe; and a mass spectrometer in fluid communication with the interface. The interface is configured to receive the liquid sample from the probe and heat the liquid sample so as to evaporate the liquid sample into a gas. The mass spectrometer is configured to receive the gas from the interface.

[0050] In a tenth aspect, in combination with the ninth aspect, the interface includes a body; a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body; and a conduit in fluid communication with the probe. In the tenth aspect, a portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and the heated chamber is configured to, when the liquid sample flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid sample.

[0051] In an eleventh aspect, in combination with the tenth aspect, the heated chamber includes a chamber and a heating element configured to provide heat to the chamber.

[0052] In a twelfth aspect, in combination with one or more of the tenth aspect through the eleventh aspect, the interface includes a plate disposed so as to divide the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion. In the twelfth aspect, an inlet of the conduit is disposed within the first cavity portion and the heated chamber is disposed within the second cavity portion. [0053] In a thirteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the tenth aspect through the twelfth aspect, the conduit is in fluid communication with the probe via tubing.

[0054] In a fourteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the ninth aspect through the thirteenth aspect, the interface includes an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit, and the outlet is configured to couple the interface with the mass spectrometer such that, when the interface is coupled to the mass spectrometer, the gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through the outlet.

[0055] In a fifteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the ninth aspect through the fourteenth aspect, the liquid sample includes molecules extracted from a tissue sample.

[0056] In a sixteenth aspect, a mass spectrometry method includes receiving, using an interface coupled to a mass spectrometer, a liquid sample from a probe in fluid communication with a conduit of the interface; evaporating, using the interface, the liquid sample flowing through the conduit into a gas; and directing, using the interface, the gas through an outlet of the interface such that the gas flows into the mass spectrometer.

[0057] In a seventeenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect through the sixteenth aspect, the liquid sample is evaporated while flowing through a portion of the conduit that is disposed within a heated chamber of the interface.

[0058] In an eighteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect through the seventeenth aspect, the liquid sample is received at the conduit through at least one tube fluidly connecting the probe to the conduit.

[0059] In a nineteenth aspect, in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect through the eighteenth aspect, the liquid sample includes molecules extracted from a biological tissue sample.

[0060] In a twentieth aspect, in combination with one or more of the sixteenth aspect through the nineteenth aspect, the interface includes a body; and a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body. A portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and the heated chamber is configured to, when the liquid sample flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid sample.

[0061] Herein, “or” is inclusive and not exclusive, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A or B” means “A, B, or both,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Moreover, “and” is both joint and several, unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. Therefore, herein, “A and B” means “A and B, jointly or severally,” unless expressly indicated otherwise or indicated otherwise by context. [0062] The above specification and examples provide a complete description of the structure and use of illustrative embodiments. Although certain embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention. As such, the various illustrative embodiments of the products, systems, and methods are not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, they include all modifications and alternatives falling within the scope of the claims, and embodiments other than the one shown may include some or all of the features of the depicted embodiment. For example, elements may be omitted or combined as a unitary structure, and/or connections may be substituted. Further, where appropriate, aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples having comparable or different properties and/or functions, and addressing the same or different problems. Similarly, it will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments.

[0063] The claims are not intended to include, and should not be interpreted to include, means-plus- or step-plus-function limitations, unless such a limitation is explicitly recited in a given claim using the phrase(s) “means for” or “step for,” respectively.

Claims

CLAIMS The invention is claimed as follows:

1. An apparatus comprising: a body; a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body; and a conduit, wherein a portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and wherein the heated chamber is configured to, when a liquid flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid, wherein the body includes an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein the outlet is configured to interface with a mass spectrometer such that, when the body is coupled to the mass spectrometer, a gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through the outlet.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body includes a first portion rotatably connected to a second portion, and wherein the first portion can rotate between a first position at which the cavity within the body is exposed and a second position at which the cavity is closed by the first portion.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heated chamber includes a chamber and a heating element configured to provide heat to the chamber.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein an inlet of the conduit is disposed within the cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plate disposed so as to separate the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, wherein an inlet of the conduit is disposed within the first cavity portion and the heated chamber is disposed within the second cavity portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body includes a port configured to be coupled to tubing.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user interface configured such that a user can adjust parameters of the mass spectrometer when the body is coupled to the mass spectrometer.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a second conduit; and a second heated chamber, wherein a portion of the second conduit extends through the second heated chamber.

9. A system comprising: a probe configured to collect a liquid sample; an interface in fluid communication with the probe and configured to: receive the liquid sample from the probe; and heat the liquid sample so as to evaporate the liquid sample into a gas; and a mass spectrometer in fluid communication with the interface such that the mass spectrometer is configured to receive the gas from the interface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the interface comprises: a body; a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body; and a conduit in fluid communication with the probe, wherein a portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and wherein the heated chamber is configured to, when the liquid sample flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid sample.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the heated chamber includes a chamber and a heating element configured to provide heat to the chamber.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the interface comprises a plate disposed so as to divide the cavity into a first cavity portion and a second cavity portion, wherein an inlet of the conduit is disposed within the first cavity portion and the heated chamber is disposed within the second cavity portion.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the conduit is in fluid communication with the probe via tubing.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the interface comprises an outlet in fluid communication with the conduit, wherein the outlet is configured to couple the interface with the mass spectrometer such that, when the interface is coupled to the mass spectrometer, the gas can be provided to the mass spectrometer through the outlet.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the liquid sample includes molecules extracted from a sample.

16. A mass spectrometry method comprising: receiving, using an interface coupled to a mass spectrometer, a liquid sample from a probe in fluid communication with a conduit of the interface; evaporating, using the interface, the liquid sample flowing through the conduit into a gas; and directing, using the interface, the gas through an outlet of the interface such that the gas flows into the mass spectrometer.

17. The mass spectrometry method of claim 16, wherein the liquid sample is evaporated while flowing through a portion of the conduit that is disposed within a heated chamber of the interface.

18. The mass spectrometry method of claim 16, wherein the liquid sample is received at the conduit through at least one tube fluidly connecting the probe to the conduit.

19. The mass spectrometry method of claim 16, wherein the liquid sample includes molecules extracted from a sample.

20. The mass spectrometry method of claim 16, wherein the interface comprises: a body; and a heated chamber disposed within a cavity of the body, wherein a portion of the conduit extends through the heated chamber, and wherein the heated chamber is configured to, when the liquid sample flows through the portion of the conduit, evaporate the liquid sample.