Patents by Inventor James A. Kenny

James A. Kenny 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: 11017990
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer includes an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber downstream of the first vacuum chamber, and a third vacuum chamber downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer also includes a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, 3D ion trap mass analyser, 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, Time of Flight mass analyser, quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser, or electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Patent number: 10978288
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source 701, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide 702 is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector 705 is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector 705 is ?400 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Publication number: 20200350149
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer includes an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber downstream of the first vacuum chamber, and a third vacuum chamber downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer also includes a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, 3D ion trap mass analyser, 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, Time of Flight mass analyser, quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser, or electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Patent number: 10755906
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyzer, a 3D ion trap mass analyzer, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyzer, a Time of Flight mass analyzer, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyzer or an electrostatic mass analyzer arranged in the third vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2020
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Patent number: 10679840
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone 6 having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone 6 has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube 2 having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube 3 which surrounds the first capillary tube 2. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube 2 so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube 2 at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Micromass UK LImited
    Inventors: Stevan Bajic, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett, Kate Whyatt
  • Publication number: 20200013607
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source 701, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide 702 is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector 705 is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector 705 is ?400 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Applicant: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Publication number: 20200006044
    Abstract: An ion inlet assembly for connecting to a mass spectrometer housing is disclosed comprising a sampling limiting body (325) having a sampling orifice (329). The sampling limiting body (325) comprises a nickel disk wherein the disk and sampling orifice (329) are made or formed by an electroforming process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Applicant: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Joseph Jarrell, Daniel James Kenny, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett
  • Patent number: 10446378
    Abstract: An ion inlet assembly for connecting to a mass spectrometer housing is disclosed comprising a sampling limiting body having a sampling orifice. The sampling limiting body comprises a nickel disk wherein the disk and sampling orifice are made or formed by an electroforming process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: David Gordon, Joseph Jarrell, Daniel James Kenny, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett
  • Patent number: 10424473
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Publication number: 20190244800
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone 6 having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone 6 has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube 2 having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube 3 which surrounds the first capillary tube 2. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube 2 so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube 2 at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Applicant: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Stevan Bajic, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett, Kate Whyatt
  • Patent number: 10354847
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source 701, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump 707 is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide 702 is located within the first vacuum chamber. An ion detector 705 is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector 705 is ?400 mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMIED
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Patent number: 10325764
    Abstract: A method of automatically performing a routine to check the operational state of a mass spectrometer is disclosed wherein the method is performed automatically as a start-up routine upon switching ON the mass spectrometer. The method comprises automatically generating a vacuum within one or more vacuum chambers of a mass spectrometer and automatically generating first ions using an internal ion source, wherein the internal ion source is located within a vacuum chamber of the mass spectrometer or is located within a chamber downstream from an atmospheric pressure interface, and detecting at least some of the first ions or second ions derived from the first ions. The method further comprises automatically determining whether or not the mass spectrometer is in a correct operational state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Howard Read, Kate Whyatt
  • Publication number: 20190172693
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, a 3D ion trap mass analyser, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, a Time of Flight mass analyser, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser or an electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2019
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Applicant: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Patent number: 10304674
    Abstract: There is provided a mass spectrometer comprising a time of flight mass analyzer comprising an acceleration electrode, a time of flight region and an ion detector, and a control system arranged and adapted (i) to apply a plurality of extraction pulses to said acceleration electrode in order to accelerate consecutive groups of ions into said time of flight region, wherein ions having a relatively high mass to charge ratio in a preceding group of ions arrive at said detector after ions having a relatively low mass to charge ratio in a subsequent group of ions, wherein ions within each consecutive group of ions have a mass to charge ratio within one or more predetermined, selected or otherwise known mass to charge ratio ranges, and (ii) to determine a frequency or period of said plurality of extraction pulses that will avoid coincidence of ions from said consecutive groups of ions at said ion detector, wherein said plurality of extraction pulses are applied at said determined frequency or period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel James Kenny, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Patent number: 10236171
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas cone having an inlet aperture, wherein the gas cone has a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tube having an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tube which surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tube so that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tube at a flow rate >200 ?L/min.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Stevan Bajic, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Richard Barrington Moulds, Stephen O'Brien, Ian Trivett, Kate Whyatt
  • Patent number: 10224196
    Abstract: A mass or mass to charge ratio selective ion trap is disclosed which directs ions into a small ejection region. A RF voltage acts to confine ions in a first (y) direction within the ion trap. A DC or RF voltage acts to confine ions in a second (x) direction. A quadratic DC potential well acts to confine ions in a third (z) direction within the ion trap. The profile of the quadratic DC potential well progressively varies along the second (x) direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Giles, Martin Raymond Green, Daniel James Kenny, David J. Langridge, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Patent number: 10217623
    Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising: providing gas phase analyte in a vacuum housing; electrospraying a reagent solution outside of the vacuum housing so as to form charged droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions; conveying the charged droplets and/or reagent ions into the vacuum housing and reacting them with the analyte so as to form analyte ions; and analyzing the analyte ions with a mass analyzer and/or ion mobility analyzer. Reacting the droplets of reagent solution and/or reagent ions with the analyte in sub-atmospheric pressures improved the reaction conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Jeffery Mark Brown, David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny, Paul Murray
  • Patent number: 10199205
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyzer, a 3D ion trap mass analyzer, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyzer, a Time of Flight mass analyzer, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyzer or an electrostatic mass analyzer arranged in the third vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Publication number: 20180358218
    Abstract: A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure <10 mbar. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is ?400 mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: David Gordon, Daniel James Kenny
  • Patent number: 10134574
    Abstract: A method of fragmenting ions is disclosed comprising providing a linear ion trap comprising: (i) a first electrode set comprising a plurality of first electrodes; (ii) a second electrode set arranged downstream of the first electrode set and comprising a plurality of second electrodes; and (iii) a third electrode set arranged downstream of the second electrode set and comprising a plurality of third electrodes. Ions are axially confined within the linear ion trap. Either: (i) a potential difference between at least some of the first electrodes and at least some of the second electrodes; and/or (ii) a potential difference between at least some of the second electrodes and at least some of the third electrodes, is varied in order to accelerate at least some ions confined within the linear ion trap in order to cause the ions to fragment so as to form fragment or daughter ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Daniel James Kenny, Martin Raymond Green