Patents Assigned to Ionsense
  • Patent number: 8525109
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Ionsense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 8497474
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 30, 2013
    Assignee: Ionsense Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 8481922
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ionsense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 8440965
    Abstract: The invention provides for efficient collection of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces for their subsequent analysis with spectrometry. In an embodiment of the invention, a ‘multiple desorption ionization source’ includes a tube which can contain ions for subsequent sampling within a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, either narrow inside diameter capillary tubes or wide diameter tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the invention, a dopant is introduced into a tube to analyze the sample. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of ionization sources is used to analyze the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Ionsense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian Musselman
  • Patent number: 8421005
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Ionsense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20120280119
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a cargo container can be monitored at appropriate time intervals to determine that no controlled substances have been shipped with the cargo in the container. The monitoring utilizes reactive species produced from an atmospheric analyzer to ionize analyte molecules present in the container which are then analyzed by an appropriate spectroscopy system. In an embodiment of the invention, a sorbent surface can be used to absorb, adsorb or condense analyte molecules within the container whereafter the sorbent surface can be interrogated with the reactive species to generate analyte species characteristic of the contents of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: IONSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20120273675
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 4, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: IonSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20120199735
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method and device to desorb an analyte using heat to allow desorption of the analyte molecules, where the desorbed analyte molecules are ionized with ambient temperature ionizing species. In various embodiments of the invention a current is passed through a mesh upon which the analyte molecules are present. The current heats the mesh and results in desorption of the analyte molecules which then interact with gas phase metastable neutral molecules or atoms to form analyte ions characteristic of the analyte molecules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: IONSENSE INC.
    Inventors: Jordan Krechmer, Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 8217341
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Ionsense
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 8207497
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a cargo container can be monitored at appropriate time intervals to determine that no controlled substances have been shipped with the cargo in the container. The monitoring utilizes reactive species produced from an atmospheric analyzer to ionize analyte molecules present in the container which are then analyzed by an appropriate spectroscopy system. In an embodiment of the invention, a sorbent surface can be used to absorb, adsorb or condense analyte molecules within the container whereafter the sorbent surface can be interrogated with the reactive species to generate analyte species characteristic of the contents of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: IonSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20120119082
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2011
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Applicant: IONSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20120112057
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 10, 2012
    Applicant: IONSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 8026477
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Assignee: Ionsense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20110101216
    Abstract: The invention provides for efficient collection of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces for their subsequent analysis with spectrometry. In an embodiment of the invention, a ‘multiple desorption ionization source’ includes a tube which can contain ions for subsequent sampling within a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, either narrow inside diameter capillary tubes or wide diameter tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the invention, a dopant is introduced into a tube to analyze the sample. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of ionization sources is used to analyze the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: IonSense Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 7928364
    Abstract: The invention provides for efficient collection of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces for their subsequent analysis with spectrometry. In an embodiment of the invention, a ‘multiple desorption ionization source’ includes a tube which can contain ions for subsequent sampling within a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, either narrow inside diameter capillary tubes or wide diameter tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the invention, a dopant is introduced into a tube to analyze the sample. In an embodiment of the invention, a plurality of ionization sources is used to analyze the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: IonSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20100294925
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a cargo container can be monitored at appropriate time intervals to determine that no controlled substances have been shipped with the cargo in the container. The monitoring utilizes reactive species produced from an atmospheric analyzer to ionize analyte molecules present in the container which are then analyzed by an appropriate spectroscopy system. In an embodiment of the invention, a sorbent surface can be used to absorb, adsorb or condense analyte molecules within the container whereafter the sorbent surface can be interrogated with the reactive species to generate analyte species characteristic of the contents of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: IONSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 7777181
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: IonSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20100140468
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Applicant: IONSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Patent number: 7714281
    Abstract: The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Assignee: IonSense, Inc.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman
  • Publication number: 20100102222
    Abstract: In various embodiments of the invention, a device permits more efficient collection and transmission of ions produced by the action of a carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species into a mass spectrometer. In one embodiment of the invention, the device incorporates the source for ionization in combination with a jet separator to efficiently remove excess carrier gas while permitting ions to be more efficiently transferred into the vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer. In an embodiment of the invention, improved collection of ions produced by the carrier gas containing metastable neutral excited-state species at greater distances from between the position of the analyte and the position of the mass spectrometer are enabled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2010
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: IONSENSE, INC.
    Inventor: Brian D. Musselman