Over the years MS Wil has provided many Proteomics laboratories with solutions to build column ovens close to the orifice of the Mass Spectrometer. Outside bespoke solution from Sonation, these ovens are often the different versions of Butterfly and Pencil Heaters made by Phoenix S&T. With the recent introduction of different very fast Mass Spectrometers, the opportunity for very short chromatography methods has led to the development of shorter columns, down to 5cm bed length for the shortest runs. Even though some column ovens are capable of heating these short columns, they don’t fit all ion sources. In this Tech Note we present a solution to use a new version of the well-proven Phoenix S&T Pencil Heater for the IonOpticks Aurora Rapid75™, 5cm column on the Thermo Nanospray Flex Ion™ Source.
Mounting 5cm column on the Thermo Nanospray Flex Ion Source
Every Thermo Nanospray Flex Ion Source is supplied with a device called DirectJunction™, which was developed to allow users to mount a capillary column and connected/integrated spray emitter/tip to the Ion Source in a solid way and provide current to the tip. There are many different column set-ups that can successfully be mounted to the DirectJunction, however, there is no good way to mount a small column oven onto this device.
In order to make it possible to fit a 5cm column on the Thermo Nanospray Flex Ion Source, MS Wil has developed a bespoke bracket. This bracket can easily be mounted to the black part holding the DirectJunction, fixed using the existing two screws. The bracket is designed to place the 5cm Pencil Heater in such way that the tip of the column is in the same position as an emitter on the DirectJunction would be.
The Orange cap covers the nanoViper™ fitting connected to the inlet of the column, this to avoid the risk of an electric shock when the High Voltage is switched on.
Specifications
Column Oven: Phoenix S&T Pencil Heater
| Column Oven Characteristics | |
| Temperature range: Extended: | Ambient – 90°C |
| Control Accuracy | ±1°C (>50°C 5-10°C) |
| Column Length: | 5cm, versions up to 25cm are available |
| Column OD: | 360μm with fittings |
| Column Specifications: | Pulled emitter columns with Fitting |
Control Device: Column Heater Controller/EasySpray Source
| Ion Source Connectivity | |
| ThermoFisher nanoSpray Flex | Pencil IO Heater + controller |
| ThermoFisher nanoSpray Flex NG | Pencil IO Heater + controller |
| ThermoFisher EasySpray | Pencil IO Heater controlled by EasySpray controller (not described here) |
Dimensions
| Oven (w x h x d) | 55-255 x 9mm |
| Controller (w x h x d) | 100 x 70 x 150mm |
| Oven weight | 200 g |
