Apparatus and method for ion mobility spectrometry and sample introduction

a technology of ion mobility spectrometry and apparatus, applied in the field of apparatus and method for ion mobility spectrometry and sample introduction, can solve the problems of reducing length, compromising detection limits, and dead volume due to transfer lines cannot be completely eliminated, so as to reduce or eliminate cross contamination, reduce or eliminate liquid dead volume, and maximize sample throughput

US20120228490A1Inactive Publication Date: 2012-09-13EXCELLIMS CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
US · United States
Current Assignee / Owner
Publication Date
2012-09-13
Estimated Expiration
Not applicable · inactive patent

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Abstract

The IMS apparatus and methods described in this invention involve setting the ion detector at the highest potential of the drift tube and setting the ionization source at ground or near ground potential. The methods allow significantly simple sample introduction without the limitation of the high potential (voltage) concern of the front end sample delivery. The invention also describes bringing samples directly into the ion mobility drift tube. The invention further describes using single syringe for sample introduction via an electrospray ionization method.
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Description

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to corresponding U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 452,117, filed Mar. 13, 2011 respectively, the entire content of the application is herein incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The needle in some commercial electrospray ionization (ESI) sources is operated at kilovolt potentials during electrospray operation. For such ESI sources, a longer dielectric liquid transfer line of several inches is typically configured between the ground potential injector valve and the ESI needle to allow a gradual drop in kilovolt potential through the sample solution. A high electric field gradient in the transfer tube is avoided to minimize sample heating, electrophoretic and electrolysis effects during Flow injection analysis (FIA). Liquid transfer lines can be reduced in length when an ESI source in configured with a grounded needle, however, even with grounded ESI needles, the dead volume due to the tra...

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Embodiment Construction

[0014]Unless otherwise specified in this document the term “ion mobility based spectrometer” is intended to mean any device that separates ions based on their ion mobilities and / or mobility differences under the same or different physical and / or chemical conditions, the spectrometer may also include detecting the ions after the separation process. Many embodiments herein use the time of flight type IMS as examples; the term ion mobility based spectrometer shall also include many other kinds of spectrometers, such as differential mobility spectrometer (DMS) and field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS). Unless otherwise specified, the term ion mobility spectrometer or IMS is used interchangeable with the term ion mobility based spectrometer defined above.

[0015]As used herein, the term “analytical instrument” generally refers to ion mobility based spectrometer, MS, and any other instruments that have the same or similar functions. Unless otherwise specified in this document t...