Patents Assigned to Owlstone Limited
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Publication number: 20170053789Abstract: A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 9, 2016Publication date: February 23, 2017Applicant: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Max Allsworth, Matthew Hart, John Somerville
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Publication number: 20160336159Abstract: Ion filter for FAIMS fabricated using the LIGA technique. The ion filter is manufactured using a metal layer to form the ion channels and an insulating support layer to hold the structure rigidly together after separation of the metal layer into two electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2016Publication date: November 17, 2016Applicant: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Danielle Toutoungi, Matthew Hart, John Somerville, Jon Pearson, Max Allsworth, Richard Orrell, Antoni Negri, Jeremy Spinks, Martin Holden, Andrew H. Koehl, Alastair Taylor
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Patent number: 9443709Abstract: A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.Type: GrantFiled: November 16, 2012Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Max Allsworth, Matthew Hart, John Somerville
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Patent number: 9400261Abstract: An ion mobility gas detector apparatus including a detector core, an inlet gas path, an exhaust gas path, a source of diluent gas, and at least one or more sensors for measuring temperature, pressure and humidity of gas streams. Further included is a mixing mechanism adapted to mix at least first and second gas streams in response to one or more sensor measurements. A controller is provided for applying drive signals to the detector core.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2012Date of Patent: July 26, 2016Assignee: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Mike Black, Matthew Hart, John Somerville, Alastair Taylor, Iva Manasi, Max Allsworth
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Patent number: 9362099Abstract: Ion filter for FAIMS fabricated using the LIGA technique. The ion filter is manufactured using a metal layer to form the ion channels and an insulating support layer to hold the structure rigidly together after separation of the metal layer into two electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2013Date of Patent: June 7, 2016Assignee: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Danielle Toutoungi, Matthew Hart, John Somerville, Jon Pearson, Max Allsworth, Richard Orrell, Antoni Negri, Jeremy Spinks, Martin Holden, Andrew H. Koehl, Alastair Taylor
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Publication number: 20160025679Abstract: An ion filter and a method of manufacturing an ion filter. The method including providing a monolithic structure; selectively removing regions of the structure, to form a pair of electrodes defining at least one ion channel therebetween. The electrodes are preferably mechanically connected at one or more locations by a portion of the structure; wherein the connecting portion of the structure provides a higher electrical impedance than the filter would provide without such a mechanical connection, to thereby electrically separate the electrodes.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2015Publication date: January 28, 2016Applicant: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Matthew Hart, Andrew H. Koehl
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Patent number: 9177769Abstract: An ion filter (10) for use in ion mobility spectrometry is described, together with a method for manufacturing the filter. The filter (10) is manufactured by removing portions from a monolithic structure to form a pair of electrodes which remain mechanically connected. The connecting portion (22) provides sufficient electrical impedance between the electrodes to effectively electrically separate the electrodes. The connecting portion may be doped or chemically modified to obtain a desired impedance, or this may be obtained through appropriate selection of physical dimensions.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2007Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: Owlstone LimitedInventors: Matthew Hart, Andrew Koehl
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Publication number: 20140300369Abstract: An ion mobility gas detector apparatus including a detector core, an inlet gas path, an exhaust gas path, a source of diluent gas, and at least one or more sensors for measuring temperature, pressure and humidity of gas streams. Further included is a mixing mechanism adapted to mix at least first and second gas streams in response to one or more sensor measurements. A controller is provided for applying drive signals to the detector core.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Owlstone LimitedInventor: Matthew Hart
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Publication number: 20140299759Abstract: A corona discharge ionizer device which emits ions generated by corona discharge to a gas flow to be ionized includes a discharge electrode having a pin configured tip portion. A second grid electrode positioned at a spaced distance from the discharge electrode is provided. The grid electrode is preferably formed from a sheet configured material which has at least one hole formed therein adapted and configured to permit the gas flow to pass therethrough. A power supply is coupled to the discharge electrode and grid electrode configured cause ion emission from the discharge electrode. The power supply is preferably an alternating current power supply configured to produce an alternating electric field region in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode sufficient to cause avalanche breakdown in the gas flowing in close proximity to the tip portion of the discharge electrode.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2012Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: OWLSTONE LIMITEDInventors: Max Allsworth, Matthew Hart, John Somerville
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Patent number: 8227749Abstract: An ion mobility spectrometer is described which makes use of a pulsed flow pump to draw gas through an ion filter in pulsed operation. A gas counterflow may also be provided, in some embodiments this may also be a pulsed counterflow.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2007Date of Patent: July 24, 2012Assignee: Owlstone LimitedInventor: David Ruiz Alonso
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Publication number: 20100301197Abstract: A system and method for monitoring user exposure to toxic compounds are described. Compounds monitored are preferable volatile organic compounds including benzene, toluene, or xylene. An adsorbent badge is provided for wearing by a user; this is subsequently analysed by means of a field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometer. Multiple badges may be provided to different users, each associated with a unique user identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2008Publication date: December 2, 2010Applicant: Owlstone LimitedInventor: Paul Boyle