PharmaFluidics mPAC Flex iON Connect User manual
General description
The µPAC™ Flex iON Connect is a user-friendly interface that facilitates the rapid,
reproducible, and low-level liquid dispersion connection of the µPAC™ nanoLC
columns to the ThermoFisher Scientic Nanospray Flex™ series of ion sources. The
accessory is easily and simply mounted onto the metal rod of the DirectJunction™
adaptor of the ion source. It consists of two separate units that have been precisely
fabricated from polylactic acid (PLA).
Figure 1. Schematic drawing of a transverse section of the µPAC™ Flex iON
Connect. The docking and the spray units are shown in the lower and upper
images, respectively.
The docking unit contains the contact points for the grounding (blue) and
high-voltage (HV) (red) cables and slides onto the metal rod of the DirectJunction™
adaptor (the recess at the front of the docking unit slides over the beige PEEK
component axed to the proximal end of the metal rod). Both cables only need to
be connected once during the initial installation of the Flex iON Connect and do not
need to be disconnected when exchanging the emitter in the spray unit.
Spring-loaded pogo pins in the docking unit are used to activate post-column high
voltage (HV) and grounding on the metal unions in the spray unit. This unit consists
of two conductive metal unions (50 µm bore) connected by a section of precisely-cut
fused silica (360 µm O.D. x20 µm I.D.). The inlet of the spray unit (where the
grounding point is located) has a female ⁄" connection that is compatible with the
⁄" tting on the outlet of the µPAC™ column. Via a one-piece ngertight PEEK
tting (VICI, P/N:C360NFPKG), the outlet of the spray unit (where the HV is applied)
is compatible with any 360 µm O.D. emitter. The spray unit is positioned on top of
the docking unit and held in place by magnets.
Installation of the µPAC™ Flex iON Connect
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CAUTION Ensure that the HV cable is disconnected and/or the source
is fully retracted from the ion source.
With the XYZ-manipulator, position the tip of the emitter almost directly
in-line with the ion transfer tube of the mass spectrometer.
As you adjust the position of the emitter, observe the distance of the tip of
the emitter from the inlet to the mass spectrometer on the monitor
provided. If necessary, adjust the image as described in the Nanospray Flex™
ion source manual provided by ThermoFisher Scientic.
Ensure the mass spectrometer is in stand-by.
Attach the HV cable to the designated electrical socket located at the bottom
of the source.
Attach the blue coiled grounding cable to a grounded point on the HPLC
chassis or the mass spectrometer.
Fully retract the DirectJunction™ adaptor to the end of the sliding rails on the
source.
Slide the docking unit onto the metal rod of the DirectJunction™ adaptor
(the additional spacer unit is required when using longer 10-12 cm
emitters).
Connect the HV and grounding cables to the docking unit.
Stop the ow from the HPLC system.
Set the maximum pressure of the HPLC system to 350 bar (5,000 p.s.i.).
Connect the outlet of the µPAC™ column to the inlet of the spray unit. Once
ngertight, use a spanner to further tighten the tting by ⁄ of a turn.
Using a one-piece ngertight PEEK tting (VICI, P/N:C360NFPKG), connect
an emitter with a 360 µm O.D. to the outlet of the spray unit.
Apply a recommended ow rate of between 50 and 1,000 nL/min. Droplets
should appear at the tip of the emitter.
Carefully place the spray unit on top of the docking unit.
To hold the emitter in place, close the HV clamp on the DirectJunction™
adaptor.
Accessories
The micro-Chip Chromatography Company
µPAC™ Flex iON Connect
Instruction Sheet
PharmaFluidics
⁄” inlet
360 µm OD OUTLET
SPRAY VOLTAGE
GROUNDING
Column maintenance
Figure 2. Installation of the µPAC™ Flex iON Connect on a ThermoFisher
Scientic Nanospray Flex™ ion source. Upper panel: mounting the docking
unit; middle panel: mounting the spray unit; lower panel: adjusting the
position of the emitter.
The µPAC™ Flex iON Connect MS interface is designed to be used in the nanoLC ow
range of 50 to 1,000 nL/min, with a maximum ow rate of approximately 1,500
nL/min. Selecting the appropriately-dimensioned emitter tip opening is crucial in
obtaining optimal spray quality for your specic application. In general, analyses at
a higher nanoLC ow rate (500-1500 nL/min) will benet from emitters with larger
tip openings (20-30 µm). Emitter tip openings ≤ 10 µm will give the best results for
analyses in the lower nanoLC ow range (50-500 nL/min). Although smaller tip
openings generate an optimal spray for reduced sample volumes, the risk of
blockage increases and, subsequently, more frequent exchange of the emitter is
inevitable.
www.pharmafluidics.com
Technologiepark-Zwijnaarde 82
B-9052 Ghent (Zwijnaarde)
Belgium
For research use only
Mounting the docking unit Mounting the spray unit Adjusting emitter tip posotion
CAUTION Avoid contact with high voltage. Before installing the µPAC™
Flex iON Connect interface, ensure that the mass spectrometer is in
stand-by and fully retract the DirectJunction™ adaptor to the end of
the sliding rails on the source. Then disconnect the HV cable from the
bottom of the NanoSpray Flex™ source.
Mobile phase
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µPAC™ Flex iON Connect routine operation
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Disconnecting the µPAC™ Flex iON Connect
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Part numbers for spares and consumables
PharmaFluidics grounding cable ACC-groundcable
PharmaFluidics µPAC™ Flex iON Connect EMI-exion
VICI one-piece PEEK tting for 360 µm O.D. tubing C360NFPKG
VICI one-piece PEEK tting plug C360PPK
VICI ZDV union end plug ZU.5FPK
ESI emitter consumables
Fossil Ion Tech 360 O.D. x20 µm I.D. x5 cm FIT-20-5
Fossil Ion Tech 360 O.D. x10 µm I.D. x5 cm FIT-10-5
New Objective PicoTip emitter 10 µm tip, 5cm FS360-20-10-N-20
New Objective PicoTip emitter 15 µm tip, 5cm FS360-50-15-N-20
Further information
For column specications, pressure limits, pH range, tips and tricks including
operational instructions, visit:
https://www.pharmafluidics.com/products/
For technical support visit:
https://www.pharmafluidics.com/contact/
Turn o the spray voltage on the mass spectrometer.
Stop the HPLC ow and wait until the backpressure of the µPAC™ column has
decreased and stabilised.
Once the upper pressure limit of the HPLC has been adjusted to a maximum
of 350 bar, start the ow through the µPAC™ column and µPAC™ iON Flex
Connect.
Once the back pressure stabilises, apply the ow rate used to analyse
samples, e.g., 300 nL/min.
When the pressure has again stabilised, apply 1.5 kV to the emitter and wait
until the spray stabilises. If the spray does not stabilise, gradually increase
the voltage.
Only use ltered and degassed LCMS-grade mobile phases.
To prevent crystallisation and/or precipitation of solutes, alternate between
miscible mobile phases, e.g., acetonitrile (ACN), methanol (MeOH),
isopropanol (IPA), triuoroacetic acid (TFA), formic acid (FA).
CAUTION Avoid personal injury. Before removing an emitter, ensure
that the LCMS system is fully depressurised and disconnect the HV
cable from the bottom of the source. Else, the emitter may eject at
high speed and cause personal injury to you or someone in the near
vicinity.
