Patents by Inventor Gary M. Hieftje

Gary M. Hieftje 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).

  • Patent number: 11133170
    Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2021
    Assignees: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Kent State University
    Inventors: Jacob T. Shelley, Kelsey L. Williams, Gary M. Hieftje, Andrew J. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20210098245
    Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge mass spectrometry (SCGD-MS) apparatus comprises a SCGD source and a mass spectrometer. The SCGD source may comprise conductive rods, a power source, and a capillary. A method for ionizing an analyte comprises flowing an electrically conductive liquid onto a conductive rod, applying an electric potential to a second conductive rod such that a plasma discharge forms between the first conductive rod and the electrically conductive liquid to produce ions, and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer. The analyte may be a polypeptide that may be contacted with trypsin. The analyte may be a solid, liquid, gas, chemical complex, or ion in solution. The method may comprise sequencing the polypeptide.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Inventors: Jacob T. Shelley, Kelsey L. Williams, Gary M. Hieftje, Andrew J. Schwartz
  • Patent number: 10784097
    Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) spectrometry apparatus may comprise an SCGD source and a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. A method for ionizing a molecular analyte may comprise contacting the molecular analyte with a plasma discharge to form ions and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. The contacting step may occur under atmospheric pressure and/or ambient conditions. The molecular analyte may be fragmented by the plasma discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2020
    Assignees: Indiana University Research And Technology Corporation, Kent State University
    Inventors: Jacob T. Shelley, Kelsey L. Williams, Gary M. Hieftje, Andrew J. Schwartz
  • Publication number: 20180247804
    Abstract: A solution-cathode glow discharge (SCGD) spectrometry apparatus may comprise an SCGD source and a mass or ion mobility spectrometer. A method for ionizing a molecular analyte may comprise contacting the molecular analyte with a plasma discharge to form ions and separating the ions in a mass spectrometer or ion mobility spectrometer. The contacting step may occur under atmospheric pressure and/or ambient conditions. The molecular analyte may be fragmented by the plasma discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2016
    Publication date: August 30, 2018
    Inventors: Jacob T. SHELLEY, Kelsey L. WILLIAMS, Gary M. Hieftje, Andrew J. SCHWARTZ
  • Patent number: 9607306
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Kevin P. Pfeuffer, Jacob T. Shelley, Norris J. Caldwell
  • Publication number: 20150269592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of a counterfeit electronic component, subjecting a suspected counterfeit electronic to an analytical method of ambient surface analysis to desorb and ionize compounds directly from a suspected counterfeit electronic surface with no pretreatment, detecting the resultant ions, comparing the identified ions to known standards, and returning a confidence that the suspected counterfeit electronic being analyzed is counterfeit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Inventors: Gary M. HIEFTJE, Steven J. RAY, Kevin P. PFEUFFER, Jacob T. SHELLEY, Norris J. CALDWELL
  • Publication number: 20140138538
    Abstract: A distance-of-flight mass spectrometer (DOFMS) includes an ion source, a field-free region, an extraction region in which ions are accelerated, and a spatially-selective detector for spatially selectively detecting ions extracted by the extraction region. A method for operating a distance-of-flight mass spectrometer DOFMS comprises controlling a detection time in such a way as to permit ions with progressively greater mass-to-charge (m/z) ratios to enter the extraction region of the DOFMS at positions which will permit the ions with progressively greater m/z ratios to enter the detector of the DOFMS, generating a component mass spectrum at each selected value of detection time, and then assembling a composite mass spectrum by shifting the distance-of-flight axis of each component mass spectrum by a distance corresponding to the change in detection time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicants: INDIANA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Christie George Enke, Alexander W. Graham, Steven J. Ray, Elise Dennis, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Patent number: 8648295
    Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Patent number: 8604423
    Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignees: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation, Battelle Memorial Institute
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Elise Dennis, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Publication number: 20130092832
    Abstract: A combined distance-of-flight mass spectrometry (DOFMS) and time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS) instrument includes an ion source configured to produce ions having varying mass-to-charge ratios, a first detector configured to determine when each of the ions travels a predetermined distance, a second detector configured to determine how far each of the ions travels in a predetermined time, and a detector extraction region operable to direct portions of the ions either to the first detector or to the second detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicants: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE, INDIANA UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Publication number: 20130020482
    Abstract: Novel methods and instrumentation for mass spectrometry are described. Zoom-time of flight mass spectrometry (Zoom-TOF) allows increased mass resolution over a pre-determined specific range of masses. Methods for retrofitting traditional time-of-flight (TOF) and distance of flight (DOF) mass spectrometers are described, as well as novel instruments capable of performing Zoom-TOF analyses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: BATTELLE MEMORIAL INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Christie G. Enke, Steven J. Ray, Alexander W. Graham, Gary M. Hieftje, Elise Dennis, Charles J. Barinaga, David W. Koppenaal
  • Patent number: 8207494
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Francisco J. Andrade, Steven J. Ray, Jacob T. Shelley
  • Patent number: 7929138
    Abstract: An ambient atmosphere glow discharge spectrometer is disclosed having a capillary, two electrodes and a means for recording the atomic emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Michael R. Webb, Gary M. Hieftje, Francisco Andrade
  • Patent number: 7893408
    Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Francisco J. Andrade, William C. Wetzel, Michael R. Webb, Gerardo Gamez, Jacob T. Shelley
  • Patent number: 7768639
    Abstract: A method for detecting and correcting inaccurate results in inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). ICP-AES analysis is performed across a plurality of selected locations in the plasma on an unknown sample, collecting the light intensity at one or more selected wavelengths of one or more sought-for analytes, creating a first dataset. The first dataset is then calibrated with a calibration dataset creating a calibrated first dataset curve. If the calibrated first dataset curve has a variability along the location within the plasma for a selected wavelength, errors are present. Plasma-related errors are then corrected by diluting the unknown sample and performing the same ICP-AES analysis on the diluted unknown sample creating a calibrated second dataset curve (accounting for the dilution) for the one or more sought-for analytes. The cross-over point of the calibrated dataset curves yields the corrected value (free from plasma related errors) for each sought-for analyte.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: George C. Y. Chan, Gary M. Hieftje
  • Publication number: 20090272893
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for performing mass spectrometry and a method of analyzing a sample through mass spectrometry. In particular, the disclosure relates to an apparatus capable of ambient mass spectrometry and mass spectral imaging and a method for the same. The apparatus couples laser ablation, flowing atmospheric-pressure afterglow ionization, and a mass spectrometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 5, 2009
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Francisco J. Andrade, Steven J. Ray, Jacob T. Shelley
  • Publication number: 20080202915
    Abstract: A method for ionizing and desorbing a sample for analysis includes energizing a first and second electrode to produce a glow discharge at atmospheric pressure. The method further includes supplying a carrier gas to at least a portion of the glow discharge to create effluents thereof. The method further includes conducting the effluents of the glow discharge to the sample to ionize and desorb the sample for analysis. An associated apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray, Francisco J. Andrade, William C. Wetzel, Michael R. Webb, Gerardo Gamez
  • Patent number: 7294830
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a mass spectrometer include providing at least two different ion sources, and coupling ion streams simultaneously from the at least two different ion sources to the spectrometer. Another method of operating a spectrometer includes a first coupling an ion stream from a first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from a second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, next coupling an ion stream from the second one of the ion sources into the spectrometer, and next coupling an ion stream from the first one of the ion sources into the spectrometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Steven J. Ray
  • Patent number: 5614711
    Abstract: A novel, time-of-flight mass spectrometer for the qualitative and quantitative analysis of elemental, molecular, and isotopic chemical samples is provided which offers increased sensitivity, speed of analysis, resolving power, and signal-to-noise ratios than prior mass spectrometers by properly sampling and collimating an ion beam from a continuous ion source, decelerating said ion, forming ion packets from the continuous ion beam, storing said ion packets, extracting and accelerating the ion packets along a stable flight path, transversely compressing said packets, focusing ions of similar mass, and detecting the focused ion masses. The mass spectrometer includes an ion optics assembly and an analyzer disposed along a common axis coincident with a continuous beam of sampled ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Assignee: Indiana University Foundation
    Inventors: Gangqiang Li, Gary M. Hieftje
  • Patent number: 5335860
    Abstract: Described is a preferred rotary spray chamber device for conditioning an aerosol. The device has chamber walls defining an internal chamber and an inlet opening into the internal chamber. The inlet opening is located such that an aerosol directed into the chamber through the inlet opening tangentially contacts chamber wall areas adapted to impart a rotary motion to the aerosol within the chamber. An impact member extends inwardly into the chamber from a chamber wall location such that the member is impacted by the aerosol in its rotary motion so as to remove large droplets and thus form a conditioned aerosol. An exit opening is defined by the chamber walls through which the conditioned aerosol can exit the chamber, and a drain opening is also defined by the chamber walls through which liquid removed from the aerosol and collected in the chamber can exit the chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Indiana University Foundation
    Inventors: Gary M. Hieftje, Min Wu