Early Patents

United States Patent 5,420,424 Carnahan , et al. May 30, 1995 Ion mobility spectrometer

Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer having a housing with an analyzer positioned therein. The analyzer includes first and second longitudinally spaced apart electrodes which are preferably cylindrical in configuration. The space between the electrodes defines an analytical gap which is in communication with a source of carrier gas. An ionization source such as a .beta.-emitter or corona discharge is juxtaposed with the analytical gap and source of sample media and includes an ion aperture for ions to enter said gap. The spectrometer includes an ion detector for measuring ions. An electrical controller connected to the first and second electrodes for impressing a first direct potential and second periodic asymmetrical potential capable of creating a transverse electrical field therebetween during the flow of carrier gas in the analytical gap. Preferably, a third low voltage ripple potential is impressed in series with the first two potentials. A third electrode, normally the ionization source, for electrically migrating the ions formed by the source into the analytical gap is positioned proximate to the ion aperture.

Inventors: Carnahan; Byron L. (Pittsburgh, PA), Tarassov; Alexander S. (Mars, PA) Assignee: Mine Safety Appliances Company (Pittsburgh, PA)

Appl. No.: 08/235,484 Filed: April 29, 1994

WO/2000/008455 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DESOLVATING AND FOCUSSING IONS FOR INTRODUCTION INTO A MASS SPECTROMETER

Pub. No.: WO/2000/008455 International Application No.: PCT/CA1999/000715 Publication Date: 17.02.2000 International Filing Date: 05.08.1999

Inventors: GUEVREMONT, Roger; PURVES, Randy, W.

Title: APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DESOLVATING AND FOCUSSING IONS FOR INTRODUCTION INTO A MASS SPECTROMETER

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for desolvating and selectively transmitting and focussing ions, including ions produced by electrospray ionization (ESI), based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), for introduction into a mass spectrometer. The ion focussing, trapping and desolvating effects of FAIMS, as identified by the inventors, provides high ion transmission efficiency and high sensitivity for the detection of ions. An apparatus comprising an ESI source, a FAIMS device and a mass spectrometer provides a way of desolvating and selectively transmitting highly solvated ions for introduction into a mass spectrometer for analysis.

WO/2001/069216 IMPROVED PARALLEL PLATE GEOMETRY FAIMS APPARATUS AND METHOD

Pub. No.: WO/2001/069216 International Application No.: PCT/CA2001/000308 Publication Date: 20.09.2001 International Filing Date: 14.03.2001

Inventors: GUEVREMONT, Roger; PURVES, Randy

Title: IMPROVED PARALLEL PLATE GEOMETRY FAIMS APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for selectively transmitting ions in which the ions are subjected to a focusing effect such that the overall efficiency of ion transmission is increased. The method relies on a FAIMS analyzer having at least an electrode disposed approximately between two other electrode surfaces for producing an electric field that is symmetric on opposing sides of the at least an electrode. An ion exiting from between the electrodes experiences a balanced electric field, such that impact with one of the electrodes is prevented.

WO/2001/069217 FAIMS APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH ION DIVERTING DEVICE

Pub. No.: WO/2001/069217 International Application No.: PCT/CA2001/000309 Publication Date: 20.09.2001 International Filing Date: 14.03.2001

Inventors: GUEVREMONT, Roger; PURVES, Randy

Title: FAIMS APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH ION DIVERTING DEVICE

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively transmitting ions using a FAIMS analyzer is disclosed. An ion diverter is included within the FAIMS analyzer for afffecting the trajectories of ions after separation to direct the ions in a known fashion. The ion diverter is optionally a gas flow source or an electrode for generating an electrical field to alter ion flow.

WO/2002/071053 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHROMATOGRAPHY-HIGH FIELD ASYMMETRIC WAVEFORM ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

Pub. No.: WO/2002/071053 International Application No.: PCT/US2002/006266 Publication Date: 12.09.2002 International Filing Date: 04.03.2002

Inventors: MILLER, Raanan, A.; NAZAROV, Erkinjon, G.; EICEMAN, Gary, A.; KRYLOV, Evgeny; TADJIKOV, Boris

Title: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHROMATOGRAPHY-HIGH FIELD ASYMMETRIC WAVEFORM ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

Abstract: Method and apparatus for chromatographic high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, including a gas chromatographic analyzer section intimately coupled with an ionization section, an ion filter section, and an ion detection section, in which the sample compounds are at least somewhat separated prior to ionization, and ion filtering proceeds in a planar chamber under influence of high field asymmetric periodic signals, with detection integrated into the flow path, for producing accurate, real-time, orthogonal data for identification of a broad range of chemical compounds.

United States Patent 6,495,823 Miller , et al. December 17, 2002 Micromachined field asymmetric ion mobility filter and detection system

Abstract: A micromechanical field asymmetric ion mobility filter for a detection system includes a pair of spaced substrates defining between them a flow path between a sample inlet and an outlet; an ion filter disposed in the path and including a pair of spaced filter electrodes, one electrode associated with each substrate; and an electrical controller for applying a bias voltage and an asymmetric periodic voltage across the ion filter electrodes for controlling the paths of ions through the filter.

Inventors: Miller; Raanan A. (Cambridge, MA), Nazarov; Erkinjon G. (Las Cruces, NM) Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. (Cambridge, MA)

Appl. No.: 09/358,312 Filed: July 21, 1999

United States Patent 6,512,224 Miller , et al. January 28, 2003 Longitudinal field driven field asymmetric ion mobility filter and detection system

Abstract: An asymmetric field ion mobility spectrometer with an ionization source for ionizing a sample media and creating ions. An ion filter is disposed in the analytical gap downstream from the ionization source for creating an asymmetric electric field to filter the ions. An ion flow generator for creating an electric field in a direction transverse to the asymmetric electric field and which propels the ions through the asymmetric electric field towards a detector.

Inventors: Miller; Raanan A. (Cambridge, MA), Zahn; Markus (Lexington, MA) Assignee: The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory, Inc. (Cambridge, MA)

Filed: November 12, 1999

United States Patent 6,621,077 Guevremont , et al. September 16, 2003 Apparatus and method for atmospheric pressure-3-dimensional ion trapping

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions and trapping the ions within a defined 3-dimensional space at atmospheric pressure. The invention is based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric wave-form ion mobility spectrometry in which an analyzer region is defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes, the analyzer region having a gas inlet and a gas outlet for providing a flow of gas through the analyzer region. Ions which are introduced into the analyzer region are carried by a gas flow towards a gas outlet. At least one of the electrodes has a curved surface terminus located near the gas outlet and the gas flow is adjusted so that ions are trapped in a defined 3-dimensional space located near the tip of the terminus. Trapping of ions in a defined 3-dimensional space allows a more concentrated flow of desired ions.

Inventors: Guevremont; Roger (Gloucester, CA), Purves; Randy (Gloucester, CA)

Appl. No.: 09/762,237 Filed: April 12, 2001

United States Patent 6,639,212 Guevremont , et al. October 28, 2003 Method for separation of isomers and different conformations of ions in gaseous phase

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating ions having the same mass to charge ratio but different ion mobility characteristics, based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry. Isomers including gas-phase molecular anions of the amino acids leucine and isoleucine are separable by the method of the present invention. Identification of different conformers of ions at the same charge state, including conformers present at certain charge states of the protein bovine ubiquitin, is also possible using the method of the present invention.

Inventors: Guevremont; Roger (Gloucester, CA), Purves; Randy (Gloucester, CA), Barnett; David (Orleans, CA)

Appl. No.: 09/762,236 Filed: April 12, 2001

WO/2001/069217 FAIMS APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH ION DIVERTING DEVICE

Pub. No.: WO/2001/069217 International Application No.: PCT/CA2001/000309 Publication Date: 20.09.2001 International Filing Date: 14.03.2001

Inventors: GUEVREMONT, Roger; PURVES, Randy

Title: FAIMS APPARATUS AND METHOD WITH ION DIVERTING DEVICE

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively transmitting ions using a FAIMS analyzer is disclosed. An ion diverter is included within the FAIMS analyzer for afffecting the trajectories of ions after separation to direct the ions in a known fashion. The ion diverter is optionally a gas flow source or an electrode for generating an electrical field to alter ion flow.

WO/2002/071053 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHROMATOGRAPHY-HIGH FIELD ASYMMETRIC WAVEFORM ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

Pub. No.: WO/2002/071053 International Application No.: PCT/US2002/006266 Publication Date: 12.09.2002 International Filing Date: 04.03.2002

Inventors: MILLER, Raanan, A.; NAZAROV, Erkinjon, G.; EICEMAN, Gary, A.; KRYLOV, Evgeny; TADJIKOV, Boris

Title: METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CHROMATOGRAPHY-HIGH FIELD ASYMMETRIC WAVEFORM ION MOBILITY SPECTROMETRY

Abstract: Method and apparatus for chromatographic high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry, including a gas chromatographic analyzer section intimately coupled with an ionization section, an ion filter section, and an ion detection section, in which the sample compounds are at least somewhat separated prior to ionization, and ion filtering proceeds in a planar chamber under influence of high field asymmetric periodic signals, with detection integrated into the flow path, for producing accurate, real-time, orthogonal data for identification of a broad range of chemical compounds.