Patents by Inventor Lisa Cousins
Lisa Cousins has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 9343280Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes a plurality of guide stages for guiding ions between an ion source and an ion detector along a guide axis. Each of the guide stages is contained within one of a plurality of adjacent chambers. Pressure in each of the plurality of chambers is reduced downstream along the guide axis to guide ions along the axis. Each guide stage may further include a plurality of guide rods for producing a containment filed for containing ions about the guide axis, as they are guided to the detector.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2016Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences Canada, Inc.Inventors: Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery, Charles Jolliffe, Serguei Savtchenko
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Publication number: 20150214021Abstract: A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2014Publication date: July 30, 2015Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Patent number: 8981290Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (EGO) and positron capture dissociation (PGO), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2014Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Sergey Rakov
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Patent number: 8946622Abstract: A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2013Date of Patent: February 3, 2015Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group, Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Publication number: 20140209814Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low-energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (ECD) and positron capture dissociation (PCD), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures. It has recently been discovered that fragmentation of protonated ions of many biomolecules via ECD often proceeds along fragmentation pathways not accessed by other dissociation methods, leading to molecular structure information not otherwise easily obtainable. However, such analyses have been limited to expensive Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers; the implementation of ECD within commonly-used multipole ion guide structures is problematic due to the disturbing effects of RF fields within such devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2014Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Sergey Rakov
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Publication number: 20140197333Abstract: A mass analyzer includes a desolvation chamber into which an upstream gas is injected to provide a counter-flow to said downstream flow in the chamber. The counter-flow may slow the downstream flow of solvated ionized particles in the chamber, while allowing lighter desolvated ions to travel toward an outlet aperture of the desolvation chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 14, 2013Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery
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Patent number: 8686356Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (EGO) and positron capture dissociation (PGO), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures. The apparatus and methods described herein allow EGO (and PCO) to be performed within multipole ion guides, either alone, or in combination with conventional ion fragmentation methods.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Sergey Rakov
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Publication number: 20140087478Abstract: A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 29, 2013Publication date: March 27, 2014Applicant: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Patent number: 8546750Abstract: A mass spectrometer interface, having improved sensitivity and reduced chemical background, is disclosed. The mass spectrometer interface provides improved desolvation, chemical selectivity and ion transport. A flow of partially solvated ions is transported along a tortuous path into a region of disturbance of flow, where ions and neutral molecules collide and mix. Thermal energy is applied to the region of disturbance to promote liberation of at least some of the ionized particles from any attached impurities, thereby increasing the concentration of the ionized particles having the characteristic m/z ratios in the flow. Molecular reactions and low pressure ionization methods can also be performed for selective removal or enhancement of particular ions.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2008Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group, Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Patent number: 8334507Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided that enable the interaction of low-energy electrons and positrons with sample ions to facilitate electron capture dissociation (ECD) and positron capture dissociation (PCD), respectively, within multipole ion guide structures. It has recently been discovered that fragmentation of protonated ions of many biomolecules via ECD often proceeds along fragmentation pathways not accessed by other dissociation methods, leading to molecular structure information not otherwise easily obtainable. However, such analyses have been limited to expensive Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometers; the implementation of ECD within commonly-used multipole ion guide structures is problematic due to the disturbing effects of RF fields within such devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2006Date of Patent: December 18, 2012Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Sergey Rakov
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Patent number: 8080785Abstract: A high pressure collision cell for use in a mass spectrometer. The high pressure collision cell has a cell length L selected to be in a range such that upon application of voltages to a pair of opposed elongate electrically conducting electrodes there is produced an electric field of sufficient strength across the collision cell length L in to aid in directing ions entering the collision cell to along a transverse flow axis. The pressure in the collision cell is maintained in a range from about 50 mTorr to 1000 mTorr and wherein the collision cell length L and the pressure are selected such that a target thickness, defined as a product of the collision cell length L and the pressure, is maintained in a range from about 0.2 to about 2 mm-Torr.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2008Date of Patent: December 20, 2011Assignee: Ionic Mass Spectrometry GroupInventors: Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Charles Jolliffe
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Patent number: 8044348Abstract: An ion source and method for providing ionized particles to a molecular/atomic analyser, such as a mass spectrometer, are disclosed. The ion source includes a vessel defining a channel; a gas inlet extending from the gas source into the channel, for introducing a gas flow into the channel; a sample inlet extending into the channel for introducing sample within the channel; and an ionizer to ionize the sample in the channel. The vessel is sufficiently sealed to allow the channel to be pressurized, at a pressure in excess of 100 Torr. At least one gas source maintains the pressure of the channel at a pressure in excess of 100 Torr and the pressure exterior to the channel at a pressure in excess of 0.1 Torr and provides a gas flow that sweeps across the ionizer to guide and entrain ions from the ionizer to the outlet.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: October 25, 2011Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Serguel Savtchenko
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Patent number: 8008619Abstract: An interface for mass spectrometers. The interface uses non coaxial sampling pathways of the analyte ion beam prior to entering the entrance of a mass spectrometer for decreasing chemical background, and can be done in such a way as to permit multiple sprayers, increasing sample throughput and sensitivity for LC/MS (liquid chromatography/MS). The interface includes an ion source having an exit from which a beam of analyte ions are emitted, a curtain plate and an aperture in the curtain plate member, an orifice plate having an orifice therein. The orifice plate is being spaced from the curtain plate member defining a flow passageway therebetween, and the aperture in the orifice plate is aligned with a sample entrance to a first vacuum stage of a mass spectrometer maintained substantially lower than atmospheric pressure.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2010Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry GroupInventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Ilia Tomski
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Publication number: 20110133079Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of rods, arranged about an axis that extends lengthwise from one end to the other of the guide. The rods guide ions in a guide region along and about the axis. A conductive casing surrounds the rods. The casing and the rods are geometrically arranged to produce an axial electric field along the axis. Specifically, the geometry is such that a first constant applied DC voltage (UDC), applied to the rods, and a second constant applied DC voltage (UCASE) applied to the casing, produce a voltage gradient between said casing and said axis that has a different magnitude at different positions along said axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2010Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery, Ilia Tomski
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Patent number: 7932488Abstract: An ion guide includes multiple stages. An electric field within each stage guides ions along a guide axis. Within each stage, amplitude and frequency, and resolving potential of the electric field may be independently varied. The geometry of the rods maintains a similarly shaped field from stage to stage, allowing efficient guidance of the ions along the axis. In particular, each rod segment of the ith of stage has a cross sectional radius ri, and a central axis located a distance Ri+ri from the guide axis. The ratio ri/Ri and is substantially constant along the guide axis, thereby preserving the shape of the field.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2009Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Inventors: Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Charles Jolliffe, Ilia Tomski
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Patent number: 7868289Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of rods, arranged about an axis that extends lengthwise from one end to the other of the guide. The rods guide ions in a guide region along and about the axis. A conductive casing surrounds the rods. The casing and the rods are geometrically arranged to produce an axial electric field along the axis. Specifically, the geometry is such that a first constant applied DC voltage (UDC), applied to the rods, and a second constant applied DC voltage (UCASE) applied to the casing, produce a voltage gradient between said casing and said axis that has a different magnitude at different positions along said axis.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2007Date of Patent: January 11, 2011Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery, Ilia Tomski
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Patent number: 7858926Abstract: A mass spectrometer includes an ion source and at least one vacuum stage, a means for delivering ions from the ion source to the vacuum stage, a collision cell, a detector, at least two multipole ion guide segments, and independent RF frequency and DC voltage sources applied to the multipole ion guide segments, the RF frequency and DC voltage sources being controlled independently of each other.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2006Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Publication number: 20100252729Abstract: An ion detector includes collision surfaces for converting both positively and negatively charged ions into emitted secondary electrons. Secondary electrons may be detected using an electron detector, than may, for example include an electron multiplier. Conveniently, secondary electrons (or electrons emitted by the multiplier) may be detected using an electron pulse counter.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2010Publication date: October 7, 2010Inventors: Charles JOLLIFFE, Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery
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Patent number: 7786435Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for trapping, manipulation and transferring ions along RF and DC potential surfaces and through RF ion guides potential wells are formed near RF-field generating surfaces due to the overlap of the radio-frequency (RF) fields and electrostatic fields created by static potentials applied to surrounding electrodes. Ions can be constrained and accumulated over time in such wells During confinement, ions may be subjected to various processes, such as accumulation, fragmentation, collisional cooling, focusing, mass-to-charge filtering, spatial separation ion mobility and chemical interactions, leading to improved performance in subsequent processing and analysis steps, such as mass analysis. Alternatively, the motion of ions may be better manipulated during confinement to improve the efficiency of their transport to specific locations, such as an entrance aperture into vacuum from atmospheric pressure or into a subsequent vacuum stage.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2008Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: PerkinElmer Health Sciences, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Lisa Cousins
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Publication number: 20100171033Abstract: An ion source and method for providing ionized particles to a molecular/atomic analyser, such as a mass spectrometer, are disclosed. The ion source includes a vessel defining a channel; a gas inlet extending from the gas source into the channel, for introducing a gas flow into the channel; a sample inlet extending into the channel for introducing sample within the channel; and an ionizer to ionize the sample in the channel. The vessel is sufficiently sealed to allow the channel to be pressurized, at a pressure in excess of 100 Torr. At least one gas source maintains the pressure of the channel at a pressure in excess of 100 Torr and the pressure exterior to the channel at a pressure in excess of 0.1 Torr and provides a gas flow that sweeps across the ionizer to guide and entrain ions from the ionizer to the outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: July 8, 2010Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Serguel Savtchenko