US Patent 11837451 Method and apparatus for improved electrospray emitter lifetime

A method for cleaning an electrospray emitter of a mass spectrometer comprises the steps of: (a) changing a mode of operation of the electrospray emitter from a stable jet mode of operation to a dripping mode or a pulsating mode of operation by lowering a magnitude, |V|, of a voltage applied between a counter electrode and the electrospray emitter; and (b) changing the mode of operation of the electrospray emitter from the dripping mode or the pulsating mode of operation to the stable jet mode of operation by increasing the magnitude, |V|, of the applied voltage; wherein the repetitions are performed at a predetermined frequency that depends on one or more of liquid flow rate, an emitter internal diameter, and liquid properties.