Analytical Instruments, Assemblies, and Methods
Person-portable mass analysis instrumentation configured to perform nultidimensional mass analysis is provided. Mass analysis instrumentation can include a housing encompassing components of the instrumentation with the housing of the instrumentation defining a space having a volume of equal to or less than about 100,000 cm3. Instrument assemblies are also provided that can include a housing coupled to an instrument component isolation assembly, wherein the component isolation assembly is isolated from an environment exterior to the housing. Exemplary instrument assemblies can include at least first and second components configured to provide analysis with a housing of the instrument at least partially encompassing the first and second components and the first component being rigidly affixed to the housing. An isolation assembly can also be provided that is rigidly affixed to the second component with the isolation assembly being isolated from received inputs of the housing.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,144, filed Jun. 15, 2004 entitled Instrument Assemblies and Methods, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/580,582, filed Jun. 16, 2004, entitled Mass Spectrometry Instruments, the entirety of which are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present disclosure relates to analytical instruments, instrumentation, instrument assemblies, and analytical methods. More specific embodiments include mass analysis instrumentation as well as mass analysis methods.
BACKGROUND ARTAnalytical instrumentation and particularly mass analysis instrumentation can be utilized to determine both the identity and amount of unknown compounds and mixtures. It is desirable to determine the identity and amount of unknown compounds and mixtures at their point of origin rather than obtaining a sample and transporting that sample to a laboratory for analysis, at least in that sampling and transportation of samples can contaminate the sample obtained and/or because sampling is not practical. Furthermore, it may be important to quickly ascertain the identity and amount of unknown compounds and sampling and transportation of the sample does not facilitate quick analysis.
Mass analysis instrumentation, such as mass spectrometers, are an exemplary analytical instrument recognized as being one of the most definitive detection techniques available. Mass spectrometers are capable of providing a reproducible signal that is diagnostic of almost any compound that can be introduced into the system. The capability that mass spectrometry provides is sought after for many uses including field applications where the instrument would ideally be brought to the sample rather than the more traditional transportation of the sample to the laboratory.
Typically analytical instrumentation of this sophistication is limited to laboratory use only and cannot be used in the field for practical reasons such as size or fragility. In the field, for example, instruments are not sheltered from inputs from the environment, the instruments can be exposed to travel which can jar and/or shock the instrument or other adverse conditions may occur. Accordingly, mass spectrometers may be limited to laboratory use for a variety of reasons, including the fragility of the mass spectrometer's vacuum system, which the instrument may be reliant upon to reduce the operating pressure within a mass spectrometer's mass analyzer. Depending on the type of mass analyzer used, higher pressure can cause a change in ion flight path, de-phasing of ion motion, etc., which can lead to the acquisition of erroneous data.
At least some analytical instrumentation and methods described herein provide an increased accommodation of environmental inputs such as shock which may be experienced in some analysis applications. Some embodiments of the analytical instrumentation and methods are portable and can be transported to where the chemistry happens, outside the laboratory.
SUMMARYAccording to an embodiment, person-portable mass analysis instrumentation configured to perform multidimensional mass analysis are provided. Mass analysis instrumentation can include a mass analysis component coupled to a sample preparation component with a consumables-generation component coupled to the sample preparation component. The consumables-generation component can be configured to generate a composition used by the sample preparation component. The instrumentation can also include a housing coupled to one or more of the mass analysis component, the sample preparation component, and the consumables-generation component with the housing defining a space encompassing the instrument.
Mass analysis instrumentation are also provided that can include a housing encompassing components of the instrumentation, with the components including a processing and control component, a sample inlet component, a sample preparation component, a mass analysis component, and/or a detection component. The housing of the instrumentation can define a space having a volume of equal to or less than about 100,000 cm3.
Instrument assemblies are provided that can include a housing coupled to an instrument component isolation assembly, wherein the component isolation assembly is isolated from an environment exterior to the housing. Exemplary instrument assemblies can include at least two instrument components configured to provide analysis, a first component and a second component. An instrument housing at least partially encompassing the first and second components can be provided, with the first component being rigidly affixed to the instrument housing. An instrument component isolation assembly can also be provided that is rigidly affixed to the second component with the isolation assembly being isolated from received inputs of the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSPreferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
At least some embodiments provide analytical instruments, assemblies, and/or methods. Exemplary configurations of these instruments, assemblies, and/or methods are described with reference to
Referring first to
In exemplary embodiments, structure 12 can support, surround, and/or partially surround components 14. According to some embodiments, structure 12 can be referred to as a frame, base, case, cabinet, and/or any structure that can define a space occupied by components 14. An exemplary material of structure 12 includes aluminum. In some configurations the space defined by structure 12 is no greater than or equal to about 45.3×45.3×48.8 cm (100,142 cm3) and in other exemplary embodiments the space defined by structure 12 is no greater than or equal to about 25.15×50.55×38.35 cm (48,756 cm3). Components 14 can be configured to provide mass analysis including mass spectrometry analysis, for example. In exemplary configurations, instrument 10 can weigh less than 22.6 kgs.
Exemplary configurations of instrument 10 are person-portable. Person-portable instruments include those instruments that can be transported by an individual outside the traditional laboratory. These instruments can be self-contained including a power source, or they can be configured to be coupled to external power sources available in the field. Person-portable instruments are of a size and weight that allows them be to transported by a person of ordinary size and strength, including military personnel. Person-portable instruments can weigh less than 22.6 kgs and/or define a volume of less than or equal to about 100,000 cm3 in some embodiments and in others the instrument can define a volume from about 100,000 cm3 to about 50,000 cm3. As discussed in more detail below, person-portable instruments can also be rugged in that they can be configured to withstand environmental inputs such as shock from physical impacts.
With reference to
As depicted in
Sample inlet component 16 can be configured to introduce an amount of sample 26 into instrument 10 (
Ion source component 18 can be configured in exemplary embodiments to receive sample 26 directly or, in other exemplary embodiments, to receive sample 26 from sample inlet component 16. Ion source component 18 can be configured to convert portions or an entirety of sample 26 into analyte ions in one example. This conversion can include the bombardment of sample 26 with electrons, ions, molecules, and/or photons. This conversion can also be performed by thermal or electrical energy.
Ion source component 18 may utilize, for example, electron ionization (EI, typically suitable for the gas phase ionization), photo ionization (PI), chemical ionization, and/or electrospray ionization (ESI). For example, in PI, the photo energy can be varied to vary the internal energy of the sample. Also, when utilizing ESI, sample 26 can be energized under atmospheric pressure. Potentials applied when utilizing ESI can be varied to cause varying degrees of dissociation as described in International Application number PCT/US04/012849 filed Apr. 26, 2004, entitled Instrumentation, Articles of Manufacture, and Analysis Methods, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. Furthermore, exemplary ion source components include those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/585,113 filed Jul. 2, 2004, entitled Spectrometry Instruments, Assemblies and Methods, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Ion source component 18 can also be configured to fragment analytes without ionizing the analytes. In exemplary implementations, the analytes may be fragmented after ionization. An exemplary fragmentation technique includes collisionally activated disassociation.
The analyte ions can proceed from ion source component 18 to mass separator component 20, for example. Mass separator component 18 can include one or more of linear quadrupoles, triple quadrupoles, quadrupole ion traps (Paul), cylindrical ion traps, linear ion traps, rectilinear ion traps, ion cyclotron resonance, quadrupole ion trap/time-of-flight mass spectrometers, or other structures. Exemplary mass separator components include those described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US03/38587, filed Dec. 2, 2003, entitled Processes for Designing Mass Separators and Ion Traps, Methods for Producing Mass Separators and Ion Traps, Mass Spectrometers, Ion Traps, and Methods for Analyzing Samples, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. Mass separator component 18 can also include focusing lenses as well as tandem mass separator components such as tandem ion traps or ion traps and quadrupoles in tandem. In one implementation, at least one of multiple tandem mass separator components can be an ion trap. Tandem mass separator components can be placed in series or parallel. In an exemplary implementation, tandem mass separator components can receive ions from the same ion source component. In an exemplary aspect, the tandem mass separator components may have the same or different geometric parameters. The tandem mass separator components may also receive analyte ions from the same or multiple ion source components.
Analytes may proceed to detector component 22 from mass separator component 20. Exemplary detector components include electron multipliers, Faraday cup collectors, photographic and scintillation-type detectors. Exemplary detector components also include those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/607,940 filed Sep. 7th, 2004 entitled Mass Spectrometry Analysis Techniques and Mass Spectrometry Circuitry, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Acquisition and generation of data can be facilitated with processing and control device component 24. Exemplary embodiments provide that the progression of mass spectrometry analysis from sample inlet component 16 to detector component 22 can be controlled and monitored by a processing and control device component 24. Processing and control device component 24 can be a computer or mini-computer or other appropriate circuitry that is capable of controlling components 14. This control can include, for example, the specific application of voltages to ion source component 18 and mass separator component 20, as well as the introduction of sample 26 via sample inlet component 16, and may further include determining, storing and ultimately displaying mass spectra recorded from detector component 22. Processing and control device component 24 can contain data acquisition and searching software. In one aspect, such data acquisition and searching software can be configured to perform data acquisition and searching that includes the programmed acquisition of total analyte count. In another aspect, data acquisition and searching parameters can include methods for correlating the amount of analytes generated to predetermine programs for acquiring data. Exemplary configurations of processing and control components include those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/607,890 filed Sep. 7, 2004, entitled Analysis Methods and Devices, as well as International Patent Application No. PCT/US04/29029 filed Sep. 4th, 2003 entitled Analysis Device Operational Programming Methods and Analysis Device Methods, the entirety of both of which are incorporated by reference herein.
As the space defined by structure 12 (e.g.,
Referring to
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Depending upon the sample, sample introduction port 32 may be configured to prepare the sample for introduction into sample preparation component 34 as well as remaining components 14 (
Sample preparation components 34 can be configured to prepare the sample received from port 32 for analysis by analysis components 28. As exemplarily depicted, sample preparation components 34 can be coupled to analysis components 28. According to alternative embodiments, analysis components 28 can be directly coupled to port 32. For example, analysis component 28 can be configured to receive the sample from the batch inlets, direct probe inlets, SPME, and/or capillary membrane inlets described above. In accordance with the exemplarily depicted embodiments of
As exemplarily depicted in
Referring to
At least portions of mass analysis components 42 can be within analysis chamber 38. In exemplary embodiments, analysis components 42 can be configured to be modular, thereby facilitating sufficient maintenance and/or removal and replacement. Mass analysis components 42 can include one or more of components 18, 20, and/or 22 described herein. An exemplary chamber 38, including components 42 is described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US04/01144 filed Jan. 16, 2004, entitled Mass Spectrometer Assemblies, Mass Spectrometry Vacuum Chamber Lid Assemblies, and Mass Spectrometer Operational Methods, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Referring to
Analyte modification component 44 may be configured as, for example, an electron ionization component (EI, typically suitable for gas phase ionization), a photo ionization component (PI), a chemical ionization component, collisionally activated dissociation component (CID), electrospray ionization (ESI), Flame Ionization, and/or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI). Analyte modification component 44 can be configured to operate with other components. In exemplary embodiments, both an EI and CID may be configured in line or parallel to receive and modify sample.
In reaction form, an exemplary analyte modification is demonstrated by equation 1 below:
M+E→M+*+E′→M++F++N+E″ (1)
wherein M represents the neutral analyte, E represents the energy provided to M; M+* represents an internally excited ion; E′ represents any E not deposited into M+* as internal or kinetic energy; M+, F+ and N represent charged analyte, charged dissociation products, and neutral dissociation products, respectively; and E″ represents any E not remaining in M+, F+ or N as internal or kinetic energy. In one embodiment, analyte modification component 44 can impact the amount of dissociation of sample into these other molecules (F+ and N).
Analyte modification component 44 can also include analyte derivitisation components such as chemical derivitisation components for use in combination with gas chromatography and or liquid chromatography sample preparation components. Furthermore, embodiments are contemplated that include analyte modification component 44 configured as multiple components, such as both an electron impact ionization source and a chemical ionization source.
Other contemplated embodiments include acquiring a data set with analyte modification component 44 configured in one configuration and acquiring another data set with analyte modification component 44 in another configuration. For example, a data set can be acquired with analyte modification component 44 configured as an electron ionization component and another data set can be acquired with analyte modification component 44 configured as a chemical ionization component.
Samples modified in analyte modification component 44 can be detected in detection component 22, for example. Exemplary detection components include electron multipliers, Faraday cup collectors, photographic, and scintillation-type detectors as described above.
Referring next to
In one implementation, at least one of the multiple tandem mass separator components can be an ion trap. Tandem mass separator components can be placed in series or parallel. In an exemplary implementation, tandem mass separator components can receive ions from the same analyte modification component 34. In an exemplary aspect, the tandem mass separator components may have the same or different geometric parameters. The tandem mass separator components may also receive analyte ions from the same or multiple analyte modification components 44. In exemplary implementations, mass separator component 20 can be configured to provide multidimensional mass separation and/or analysis. When configured for multidimensional mass analysis, the instrument can provide for the analysis of mixtures without the aid of the sample preparation component as described above, gas and/or liquid chromatography, for example.
An exemplary mass separator component 20 useful in accordance with one embodiment is a cylindrical ion trap (CIT). CITs typically include three components: a trapping volume; and two endcaps. Typically an AC current or RF voltage is applied to the trapping volume at a predefined rate (e.g., controlled by 50) to eject trapped analytes which are subsequently detected. RF voltage ramps may include variables such as power and/or frequency. Combinations of these variables in predefined amounts are typically referred to as waveforms. Generally, waveforms can be optimized to increase detection of specific analytes of interest. Waveforms can also be optimized to allow for multiple stages of mass analysis.
In an exemplary embodiment, mass separator component 20 can be a cylindrical ion trap and the mass separator parameter of the cylindrical ion trap can be a parameter that influences the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized analytes received by detector component 22. An exemplary cylindrical ion trap parameter value that influences the mass-to-charge ratio of ionized analytes received by detector component 22 is a mass-to-charge ratio range that can be specified as waveform values.
Referring to
As exemplarily depicted, analyte modification component 44 can be configured to receive the sample from sample inlet component 16 and provide, in one embodiment, an ionization energy to the sample to form a group of ionized analytes. In an exemplary aspect, analyte modification component 44 can be configured to provide ionization energy to the sample to form a first group of ionized analytes. Mass separator component 20 can be configured to receive the first group of ionized analytes and provide a first separation waveform to separate a first mass-to-charge ratio range of the first group of ionized analytes. Analyte modification component 46 can be configured to receive the first range of ionized analytes and provide a second analyte modification component parameter value to the first range of ionized analytes to form a second group of ionized analytes. Mass separator component 48 can be configured to receive the second group of ionized analytes and provide a second separation waveform to separate a second mass-to-charge ratio range of the second group of ionized analytes. Detector component 22 can be configured to detect the ionized analytes of the ranges received from mass separator component 48.
Referring next to
Referring to
According to one embodiment, user interface 54 can be coupled to structure 12 and provide user access to process circuitry 56. User interface 54 can take the form of a touch screen aligned with the exterior of structure 12 in exemplary embodiments, and user interface 54 can be within the volume defined by structure 12 and access to user interface 54 can be had through access panels, doors or openings in structure 12. In other embodiments, user interface 54 can be a computer interface that is configured to provide access to another process and control component, for example a stand alone computer. In exemplary embodiments, the computer interface can be a wireless interface and in other embodiments, the computer interface can take the form of a TCP/IP or a standard LAN connection. In exemplary embodiments, instrument 10 can be configured to accumulate and store sample data unattended. In other embodiments, instrument 10 can be configured to allow access to data and further provide for the manipulation of the data acquired. According to another embodiment, instrument 10 can be configured to send data to a remote computer upon acquisition.
In one embodiment, the progression of analysis from sample inlet component 16 to analysis component 28 can be controlled and/or monitored by processing circuitry 56 in the described exemplary embodiment. Processing circuitry 56 may be implemented as a processor or other structure configured to execute executable instructions including, for example, software and/or firmware instructions. Other exemplary embodiments of processing circuitry 56 include hardware logic, PGA, FPGA, ASIC, and/or other structures. These examples of processing circuitry 56 are for illustration and other configurations are possible.
Processing circuitry 56 can be configured to control the values of analytical component parameters defined by the user of instrument 10 and/or monitor the components described above. Control of the analytical component parameter values by processing circuitry 56 can include, for example, dictating a predefined application of ionization energy by modification components 44, 46, and/or 50, for example. Exemplary monitoring includes the recording of data received from detector component 22. By varying analytical component parameter values, sample characteristics and/or data can be obtained. Exemplary sample characteristics and data can include mass spectra.
In one aspect, processing circuitry 56 may execute data acquisition and searching programming and be configured to perform data acquisition and searching that includes the acquisition of sample characteristics such as total ion current or mass spectra. In another aspect, processing circuitry 56 can be configured to associate detected sample characteristics such as total ion current responsive to one or more analytical parameters such as an ionization parameter including electron impact ion source energy.
Processing circuitry 56 can be configured to store and access data from storage circuitry 58. Storage circuitry 58 is configured to store electronic data and/or programming such as executable instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware), data, or other digital information, and may include processor-usable media. Processor-usable media includes any article of manufacture which can contain, store or maintain programming, data and/or digital information for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system including processing circuitry, in the exemplary embodiment. For example, exemplary processor-usable media may include any one of physical media such as electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, and infrared or semiconductor media. Some more specific examples of processor-usable media include, but are not limited to, a portable magnetic computer diskette, such as a floppy diskette, zip disk, hard drive, random access memory, read only memory, flash memory, cache memory, and/or other configurations capable of storing programming, data, or other digital information. Embodiments also include configurations where processing and control components 24 can be configured to acquire sample data and analyze acquired data unattended. For example, sample inlet component 16 can be configured as an auto-sampler and, in exemplary embodiments, air samples can be acquired at predefined intervals as dictated by processing and control component 24. Processing and control component 24 can be configured according to predefined user parameters to acquire sample data. In other embodiments, processing and control component 24 can be configured to forward data and/or instrument status to remote locations via wireless and/or wired communication.
Referring next to
Referring to FIGS. 12A-E, instrument 10 may be configured as shown to include housing 12 according to an exemplary embodiment. As depicted in
Referring to
At least some of the embodiments of the description provide instrumentation and assemblies as well as instrumentation isolation components and systems including instrumentation operational methods. Exemplary configurations of these assemblies and methods are described with reference to
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Exemplary components 14 include those described above (
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Claims
1. A person-portable mass analysis instrument configured to perform multidimensional mass analysis.
2. The instrument of claim 1 wherein the multidimensional mass analysis comprises sequential mass spectrometry analyses.
3. The instrument of claim 1 further comprising a sample inlet component coupled to a mass analysis component, the sample inlet component being configured to receive a sample for analysis and prepare the sample for mass analysis by the mass analysis component, wherein the mass analysis component is configured to perform the multidimensional mass analysis.
4. The instrument of claim 3 further comprising a process circuitry component coupled to one or both of the sample inlet component and the mass analysis component, wherein the process circuitry component is configured to one or more of acquire data, store data, and manipulate acquired data generated by one or both of the sample inlet component and the mass analysis component.
5. The instrument of claim 4 wherein the process circuitry is configured to be accessed from remote process and storage circuitry.
6. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the sample inlet component is configured to be coupled to a plurality of sampling components.
7. The instrument of claim 6 wherein one or more of the sampling components are modular.
8. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the sample inlet component is configured to be coupled to a plurality of analyte modification components.
9. The instrument of claim 8 wherein one or more of the analyte modification components are modular.
10. The instrument of claim 3 further comprising:
- a housing encompassing at least the mass analysis component; and
- an isolator coupled to the housing and at least one component within the housing.
11. The instrument of claim 10 wherein the isolator is configured to isolate the one component from one or more of shock, vibration, electronic, and thermal inputs received by the housing.
12. The instrument of claim 3 wherein the mass analysis component is configured to perform multidimensional mass analysis without gas chromatography.
13. A mass analysis instrument comprising:
- a mass analysis component coupled to a sample preparation component, the sample preparation component being configured to receive a sample for analysis and expose the sample to a composition;
- a consumables-generation component coupled to the sample preparation component, the consumables-generation component being configured to generate the composition; and
- a housing coupled to one or more of the mass analysis component, the sample preparation component, and the consumables-generation component, the housing defining a space encompassing the instrument, wherein the composition is generated by the consumables-generation component from within the space.
14. The instrument of claim 13 wherein:
- the sample preparation component is configured to perform chromatography, the chromatography partitioning a portion of the sample into a mobile phase; and
- the composition comprises the mobile phase.
15. The instrument of claim 14 wherein the chromatography comprises gas chromatography and the composition is a gas.
16. The instrument of claim 15 wherein the composition comprises nitrogen.
17. The instrument of claim 13 wherein the mass analysis component is configured to perform multidimensional mass analysis.
18. The instrument of claim 17 wherein the mass analysis component comprises a cylindrical ion trap.
19. The instrument of claim 13 further comprising a process and control component coupled to at least the mass analysis component, the process and control component being configured to provide mass analysis parameters to the mass analysis component, wherein the mass analysis parameters comprise waveforms.
20. A mass analysis instrument comprising a housing encompassing components of the instrument, the components comprising a processing and control component, a sample inlet component, a sample preparation component, a mass analysis component, and a detection component, wherein the housing defines a space having a volume of equal to or less than about 100,000 cm3.
21. The instrument of claim 20 wherein the sample inlet component is coupled to the sample preparation component, the sample inlet component being configured to receive a sample and provide the sample to the sample preparation component, wherein the sample inlet component comprises a syringe port.
22. The instrument of claim 20 wherein the sample inlet component is coupled to the sample preparation component, the sample preparation component being configured to receive a sample from the sample inlet component, wherein the sample preparation component is configured to perform gas chromatography.
23. The instrument of claim 20 wherein the sample inlet component is coupled to the mass analysis component, the mass analysis component being configured to receive a sample from the sample inlet component, wherein the mass analysis component is configured to perform multidimensional mass analysis.
24. The instrument of claim 23 wherein the mass analysis component is coupled to the processing and control component, the processing and control component being configured to provide mass analysis parameters to the mass analysis component.
25. The instrument of claim 24 wherein the mass analysis parameters include waveforms.
26. The instrument of claim 25 wherein the mass analysis component comprises a cylindrical ion trap.
27. The instrument of claim 20 wherein the mass analysis component is coupled to the detection component, the detection component being configured to receive ionized analytes from the mass analysis component, wherein the detection component comprises an electron multiplier.
28. An instrument assembly comprising a housing coupled to an instrument component isolation assembly, wherein the component isolation assembly is isolated from an environment exterior to the housing.
29. The assembly of claim 28 further comprising at least one instrument component coupled to the instrument component isolation assembly, the at least one component being within a space defined by the housing.
30. The assembly of claim 29 wherein the at least one component comprises a pump assembly.
31. The assembly of claim 28 wherein the instrument component isolation assembly comprises a frame defining a space within the housing.
32. The assembly of claim 31 further comprising at least one instrument component, the instrument component residing within the space.
33. The assembly of claim 32 wherein the instrument component is coupled to the instrument isolation assembly.
34. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the frame comprises a platform and further comprising a plurality of isolators, each of the isolators having one end coupled to the platform and another end coupled to the housing.
35. The assembly of claim 34 wherein at least one of the isolators is configured to isolate the platform from one or more of shock, vibration, electronic, and thermal inputs received by the housing.
36. The assembly of claim 34 wherein at least four isolators are coupled to the platform.
37. The assembly of claim 34 wherein the frame of the component isolation assembly further comprises at least two sidewalls extending from the platform, the sidewalls having isolators coupled thereto, each isolator having one end coupled to a sidewall and another end coupled to the housing.
38. The assembly of claim 37 wherein a mass analysis component resides within the space.
39. The assembly of claim 38 wherein the mass analysis component comprises a pump assembly.
40. The assembly of claim 31 wherein the frame comprises a platform and at least two sidewalls extending vertically from the platform, each of the sidewalls being individually coupled to the housing by an isolator.
41. An instrument assembly comprising:
- at least two instrument components configured to provide analysis, the two components comprising a first component and a second component;
- an instrument housing at least partially encompassing the first and second components, wherein the first component is rigidly affixed to the instrument housing; and
- an instrument component isolation assembly rigidly affixed to the second component, the isolation assembly being isolated from received inputs of the housing.
42. The assembly of claim 41 wherein the two components are mass analysis instrument components.
43. The assembly of claim 42 wherein the first component is a processing and control component and the second component is a pump assembly.
44. The assembly of claim 43 wherein the pump assembly comprises a turbomolecular pump.
45. The assembly of claim 42 wherein the first component is a sample inlet component and the second component is a mass analysis component.
46. The assembly of claim 45 wherein the sample inlet component comprises a capillary membrane inlet.
47. The assembly of claim 45 wherein the mass analysis component comprises a cylindrical ion trap.
48. The assembly of claim 45 wherein the first component is flexibly coupled to the second component.
49. The assembly of claim 42 wherein the first component is a processing and control component and the second component comprises a mass analysis component, the mass analysis component being coupled to the processing and control component.
50. The assembly of claim 49 wherein the processing and control component is configured to provide mass analysis parameters to the mass analysis component.
51. The assembly of claim 50 wherein the mass analysis parameters comprise waveforms.
52. An analytical instrument comprising:
- an instrument housing encompassing at least two analytical components, a first component and a second component, wherein the first component is rigidly affixed to the housing; and
- an instrument isolation assembly shock-mounted to the housing, the instrument isolation assembly being rigidly affixed to the second component.
53. The instrument of claim 52 wherein:
- the instrument housing comprises a floor; and
- the instrument isolation assembly comprises a base shocked mounted to the floor of the instrument housing.
54. The instrument of claim 53 wherein:
- the instrument housing comprises housing-sidewalls extending vertically from the floor; and
- the instrument isolation assembly comprises assembly-sidewalls extending vertically from the base, the assembly-sidewalls being shock mounted to the housing-sidewalls.
55. The instrument of claim 54 wherein the second component is rigidly affixed to the assembly-sidewalls.
56. The instrument of claim 55 wherein the first component comprises a processing and control component and the second component comprises a mass analysis component.
57. The instrument of claim 56 wherein the processing and control component is coupled to the mass analysis component, the processing and control component being configured to provide mass analysis parameters to the mass analysis component.
58. The instrument of claim 56 wherein the mass analysis component comprises a cylindrical ion trap.
59. The instrument of claim 52 wherein the shock-mount comprises a wire rope isolator.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 13, 2005
Publication Date: Nov 8, 2007
Inventors: Dennis Barket (Lafayette, IN), Garth Patterson (Brookston, IN), Mark Gregory (Lafeyette, IN), Jason Springston (Carmel, IN)
Application Number: 11/629,953
International Classification: G01N 30/02 (20060101); B01L 11/00 (20060101);