Patents by Inventor Charles Jolliffe
Charles Jolliffe 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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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: 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: 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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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: 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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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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Publication number: 20110036980Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2008Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventors: Cousins Lisa, Gholamreza Javehery, Charles Jolliffe, Serguei Savtchenko
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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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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
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Publication number: 20100148059Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2010Publication date: June 17, 2010Applicant: IONICS MASS SPECTROMETRY GROUPInventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Ilia Tomski
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Patent number: 7728292Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 28, 2006Date of Patent: June 1, 2010Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery
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Patent number: 7687771Abstract: 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: January 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry GroupInventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Ilia Tomski
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Patent number: 7659505Abstract: 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: February 1, 2008Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Serguei Savtchenko
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Publication number: 20090218484Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2009Publication date: September 3, 2009Inventors: Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Charles Jolliffe, Ilia Tomski
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Publication number: 20090194687Abstract: 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: February 1, 2008Publication date: August 6, 2009Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Serguei Savtchenko
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Patent number: 7569811Abstract: 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: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: August 4, 2009Assignee: Ionics Mass Spectrometry Group Inc.Inventors: Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Charles Jolliffe, Ilia Tomski
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Publication number: 20090065692Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2008Publication date: March 12, 2009Inventors: Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Charles Jolliffe