Patents by Inventor Lisa Cousins
Lisa Cousins 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: 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
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Publication number: 20080296495Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for trapping, manipulation and transferring ions along RF and DC potential surfaces and through RF ion guides Potential wells are formed near RF-field generating surfaces due to the overlap of the radio-frequency (RF) fields and electrostatic fields created by static potentials applied to surrounding electrodes. Ions can be constrained and accumulated over time in such wells During confinement, ions may be subjected to various processes, such as accumulation, fragmentation, collisional cooling, focusing, mass-to-charge filtering, spatial separation ion mobility and chemical interactions, leading to improved performance in subsequent processing and analysis steps, such as mass analysis. Alternatively, the motion of ions may be better manipulated during confinement to improve the efficiency of their transport to specific locations, such as an entrance aperture into vacuum from atmospheric pressure or into a subsequent vacuum stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2008Publication date: December 4, 2008Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Lisa Cousins
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Publication number: 20080265154Abstract: An ion guide includes a plurality of rods, arranged about an axis that extends lengthwise from one end to the other of the guide. The rods guide ions in a guide region along and about the axis. A conductive casing surrounds the rods. The casing and the rods are geometrically arranged to produce an axial electric field along the axis. Specifically, the geometry is such that a first constant applied DC voltage (UDC), applied to the rods, and a second constant applied DC voltage (UCASE) applied to the casing, produce a voltage gradient between said casing and said axis that has a different magnitude at different positions along said axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2007Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventors: Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery, Ilia Tomski
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Publication number: 20080258052Abstract: 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: June 27, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Patent number: 7439498Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separation of rare stable or radioactive isotopes from their atomic or molecular isobars in mass spectrometry (MS). In the present invention, the approach taken to removing atomic isobars utilizes a high transmission device for decelerating ions in combination with low energy reactions, such as ion-molecule reactions or near resonant electron transfer, in RF ion guides. The isobar is selectively depleted by electron transfer or other reactions between negative ions and gaseous targets in pressurized RF ion guides at low energies. The energy is controlled in such a way as to prevent reaction of the ion of interest while inducing reactions with the undesired isobar interference. The technique is of particular relevance to accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for which it allows substantial reductions in the necessary terminal voltage. The effect is to allow reductions in the size and cost of AMS installations.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Inventors: Albert Edward Litherland, Jonathan P. Doupe, William Edward Kieser, Xiao-Lei Zhao, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Ilia Tomski, Charles Jolliffe
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Patent number: 7405398Abstract: 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: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: IONICS Mass Spectrometry Group, Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Patent number: 7365317Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for trapping, manipulation and transferring ions along RF and DC potential surfaces and through RF ion guides. Potential wells are formed near RF-field generating surfaces due to the overlap of the radio-frequency (RF) fields and electrostatic fields created by static potentials applied to surrounding electrodes. Ions can be constrained and accumulated over time in such wells. During confinement, ions may be subjected to various processes, such as accumulation, fragmentation, collisional cooling, focusing, mass-to-charge filtering, spatial separation ion mobility and chemical interactions, leading to improved performance in subsequent processing and analysis steps, such as mass analysis. Alternatively, the motion of ions may be better manipulated during confinement to improve the efficiency of their transport to specific locations, such as an entrance aperture into vacuum from atmospheric pressure or into a subsequent vacuum stage.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2005Date of Patent: April 29, 2008Assignee: Analytica of Branford, Inc.Inventors: Craig M. Whitehouse, David G. Welkie, Lisa Cousins
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Publication number: 20080073530Abstract: 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: August 28, 2006Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Lisa Cousins, Gholamreza Javahery
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Publication number: 20070181800Abstract: 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: January 12, 2007Publication date: August 9, 2007Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Ilia Tomski
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Publication number: 20070164213Abstract: 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: January 13, 2006Publication date: July 19, 2007Inventors: Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Charles Jolliffe, Ilia Tomski
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Publication number: 20060186334Abstract: 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: April 18, 2006Publication date: August 24, 2006Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Patent number: 7091477Abstract: 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 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 15, 2006Assignee: Ionica Mass Spectrometry Group, Inc.Inventors: Charles Jolliffe, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins
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Publication number: 20060113464Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for separation of rare stable or radioactive isotopes from their atomic or molecular isobars in mass spectrometry (MS). In the present invention, the approach taken to removing atomic isobars utilizes a high transmission device for decelerating ions in combination with low energy reactions, such as ion-molecule reactions or near resonant electron transfer, in RF ion guides. The isobar is selectively depleted by electron transfer or other reactions between negative ions and gaseous targets in pressurized RF ion guides at low energies. The energy is controlled in such a way as to prevent reaction of the ion of interest while inducing reactions with the undesired isobar interference. The technique is of particular relevance to accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) for which it allows substantial reductions in the necessary terminal voltage. The effect is to allow reductions in the size and cost of AMS installations.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Inventors: Albert Litherland, Jonathan Doupe, William Kieser, Xiao-Lei Zhao, Gholamreza Javahery, Lisa Cousins, Ilia Tomski, Charles Jolliffe