Patents by Inventor Michael W. Belford
Michael W. Belford 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: 20220381735Abstract: Adjusting compensation voltage (CV) parameters of an ion mobility device is described. In one instance, the CV parameters are adjusted to reflect a different CV range, a number of CV steps, or a CV step size to increase throughput of a mass spectrometer.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2021Publication date: December 1, 2022Inventors: Bennett S. Kalafut, Dhruva D. Kulkarni, Satendra Prasad, Michael W. Belford
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Patent number: 10325767Abstract: A FAIMS device interfaces between an ionization source and a mass spectrometer. The FAIMS device includes inner and outer electrodes having radially opposed surfaces, which define there between a gap through which ions are transported. A waveform generator is configured to apply a selected one of two distinct periodic waveforms to the electrodes, consisting of: a first waveform characterized by equal high and low amplitudes and periods and a second waveform including a bi-sinusoidal waveform superimposed with a DC compensation voltage. The device is configured to toggle between a transmission mode of operation in which ions are passed through the device with no spatial separation when the first waveform is applied to the inner and/or outer electrodes and a separation mode of operation in which spatial separation of the ions occurs in the gap when the bi-sinusoidal waveform and DC voltage are applied to the inner and/or outer electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2018Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: THERMO FINNIGAN LLCInventors: Satendra Prasad, Michael W. Belford, Jean-Jacques Dunyach
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Patent number: 9293312Abstract: A method is described for identifying the occurrence and location of charging of ion optic devices arranged along the ion path of a mass spectrometer. The method includes repeatedly performing a sequence of introducing a beam of discharge ions to a location on the ion path, and subsequently measuring the intensities of opposite-polarity sample ions delivered to a mass analyzer, with the discharge ions being delivered to a location further downstream in the ion path at each successive sequence.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2014Date of Patent: March 22, 2016Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Philip M. Remes, Michael W. Senko, Michael W. Belford, Jae C. Schwartz, Jean-Jacques Dunyach, Berg Tehlirian
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Patent number: 8859960Abstract: A method for transmitting ions entrained in a flowing carrier gas into and through a gap defined by a pair of mutually facing curved electrodes comprises: inputting the ions and flowing gas into the gap through an ion inlet orifice of a first one of the pair of electrodes, the ion inlet orifice comprising an orifice wall, an orifice inlet end and an orifice outlet end, the orifice wall being smoothly convexly curved between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein a width of the gap and a flow rate of the carrier gas through the ion inlet orifice and gap are such that the gas flow is laminar within the ion inlet orifice and gap.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2014Date of Patent: October 14, 2014Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Satendra Prasad, Michael W. Belford, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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Publication number: 20140291544Abstract: An ion source for a mass spectrometer comprises: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample; an electrode of the capillary; a high voltage power supply electrically coupled to the electrode; a second electrode disposed within or configurable to be disposed within a path of the nebulized fluid sample, wherein the capillary and capillary electrode are configurable so as to ionize the nebulized fluid sample by electrospray ionization and the second electrode is configurable so as to ionize the nebulized sample by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and wherein the second electrode is moveable between positions such that the second electrode is and is not disposed within the path of the nebulized fluid sample, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 13, 2014Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Mark HARDMAN, Jean-Jacques DUNYACH, R. Paul ATHERTON, Michael W. BELFORD
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Publication number: 20140264007Abstract: A method is described for identifying the occurrence and location of charging of ion optic devices arranged along the ion path of a mass spectrometer. The method includes repeatedly performing a sequence of introducing a beam of discharge ions to a location on the ion path, and subsequently measuring the intensities of opposite-polarity sample ions delivered to a mass analyzer, with the discharge ions being delivered to a location further downstream in the ion path at each successive sequence.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 17, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: THERMO FINNIGAN LLCInventors: Philip M. REMES, Michael W. SENKO, Michael W. BELFORD, Jae C. SCHWARTZ, Jean-Jacques DUNYACH, Berg TEHLIRIAN
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Patent number: 8759757Abstract: A ion source for a mass spectrometer comprises: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample; an electrode of the capillary; a high voltage power supply; a second electrode disposed within or configurable to be disposed within a path of the nebulized fluid sample; and at least one switch for selecting application of an electrical potential provided by the high voltage power supply to either or both of the capillary electrode or the second electrode, wherein the capillary and capillary electrode are configurable so as to ionize the nebulized fluid sample by electrospray ionization and the second electrode is configurable so as to ionize the nebulized sample by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Mark Hardman, Jean-Jacques Dunyach, R. Paul Atherton, Michael W. Belford
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Publication number: 20140158904Abstract: A method for transmitting ions entrained in a flowing carrier gas into and through a gap defined by a pair of mutually facing curved electrodes comprises: inputting the ions and flowing gas into the gap through an ion inlet orifice of a first one of the pair of electrodes, the ion inlet orifice comprising an orifice wall, an orifice inlet end and an orifice outlet end, the orifice wall being smoothly convexly curved between the inlet end and the outlet end, wherein a width of the gap and a flow rate of the carrier gas through the ion inlet orifice and gap are such that the gas flow is laminar within the ion inlet orifice and gap.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2014Publication date: June 12, 2014Applicant: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Satendra PRASAD, Michael W. BELFORD, Jean Jacques DUNYACH
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Patent number: 8692190Abstract: A system for analyzing ions comprises: an ion source; a FAIMS cell comprising: (a) a gas inlet; (b) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive the ions from the ion source and a carrier gas from the gas inlet; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (c) an inner electrode having a conduit therethrough and having a generally convex outer surface disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode defining at least one annular on separation region therebetween; and a mass analyzer for mass analyzing ions transmitted by the FAIMS cell through the ion outlet, wherein the inner electrode is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first and second positions facilitating movement of the ions through the at least one annular ion separation region and the conduit, respectively.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2012Date of Patent: April 8, 2014Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Michael W. Belford, Jean-Jacques Dunyach, Mark E. Hardman
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Patent number: 8664593Abstract: A High Field Asymmetric Waveform Ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) apparatus comprises (a) a first and a second gas inlet; (b) an expansion chamber receiving ions from an ion source and the first and second gas flows from the first and second gas inlets, respectively; (c) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive, from the expansion chamber, the ions and a combined gas flow comprising portions of the first and second gas flows; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (d) an inner electrode having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween, wherein the combined gas flow and a portion of the ions travel through the ion separation region from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2013Date of Patent: March 4, 2014Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Satendra Prasad, Michael W. Belford, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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Publication number: 20130306860Abstract: A High Field Asymmetric Waveform ion Mobility Spectrometry (FAIMS) apparatus comprises (a) a first and a second gas inlet; a)) an expansion chamber receiving ions from an ion source and the first and second gas flows from the first and second gas inlets, respectively; (c) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive, from the expansion chamber, the ions and a combined gas flow comprising portions of the first and second gas flows; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (d) an inner electrode having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween, wherein the combined gas flow and a portion of the ions travel through the ion separation region from the ion inlet to the ion outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Satendra PRASAD, Michael W. BELFORD, Jean Jacques DUNYACH
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Publication number: 20120181424Abstract: A system for analyzing ions comprises: an ion source; a FAIMS cell comprising: (a) a gas inlet; (h) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive the ions from the ion source and a carrier gas from the gas inlet; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (c) an inner electrode having a conduit therethrough and having a generally convex outer surface disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode defining at least one annular on separation region therebetween; and a mass analyzer for mass analyzing ions transmitted by the FAIMS cell through the ion outlet, wherein the inner electrode is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first and second positions facilitating movement of the ions through the at least one annular ion separation region and the conduit, respectively.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2012Publication date: July 19, 2012Inventors: Michael W. BELFORD, Jean-Jacques DUNYACH, Mark E. HARDMAN
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Publication number: 20120104248Abstract: A ion source for a mass spectrometer comprises: a capillary having a nozzle for emitting a nebulized fluid sample; an electrode of the capillary; a high voltage power supply; a second electrode disposed within or configurable to be disposed within a path of the nebulized fluid sample; and at least one switch for selecting application of an electrical potential provided by the high voltage power supply to either or both of the capillary electrode or the second electrode, wherein the capillary and capillary electrode are configurable so as to ionize the nebulized fluid sample by electrospray ionization and the second electrode is configurable so as to ionize the nebulized sample by atmospheric pressure chemical ionization.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 24, 2011Publication date: May 3, 2012Inventors: Mark HARDMAN, Jean-Jacques Dunyach, R. Paul Atherton, Michael W. Belford
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Patent number: 8158932Abstract: A system for analyzing ions comprises: an ion source; a FAIMS cell comprising: (a) a gas inlet; (b) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive the ions from the ion source and a carrier gas from the gas inlet; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (c) an inner electrode having a conduit therethrough and having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween; and a mass analyzer for mass analyzing ions transmitted by the FAIMS cell through the ion outlet, wherein the inner electrode is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position facilitating movement of the ions through the ion separation region, the second position facilitating movement of the ions through the conduit.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2010Date of Patent: April 17, 2012Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Michael W. Belford, Jean-Jacques Dunyach, Mark E. Hardman
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Publication number: 20110253890Abstract: A system for analyzing ions comprises: an ion source; a FAIMS cell comprising: (a) a gas inlet; (b) an outer electrode having a generally concave inner surface and comprising: (i) an ion inlet operable to receive the ions from the ion source and a carrier gas from the gas inlet; and (ii) an ion outlet; and (c) an inner electrode having a conduit therethrough and having a generally convex outer surface that is disposed in a spaced-apart and facing arrangement relative to the inner surface of the outer electrode for defining an ion separation region therebetween; and a mass analyzer for mass analyzing ions transmitted by the FAIMS cell through the ion outlet, wherein the inner electrode is moveable between a first position and a second position, the first position facilitating movement of the ions through the ion separation region, the second position facilitating movement of the ions through the conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2010Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Michael W. BELFORD, Jean-Jacques Dunyach, Mark E. Hardman
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Publication number: 20110139972Abstract: A high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) comprises an electrical power supply electrically connected to at least one of the FAIMS electrodes and operable to as to apply a periodic asymmetric square-wave waveform voltage to at least one of the electrodes so as to selectively transmit a type of ion in and through a FAIMS analyzer region to an ion outlet, wherein the electrical power supply is operable so as to vary a time duration of pulses of the asymmetric square-wave waveform so as to control the type of ion selectively transmitted, an efficiency of said selective transmission or the ability to prevent transmission of a different type of ions in and through said analyzer region to the ion outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2009Publication date: June 16, 2011Inventors: Mark HARDMAN, Michael W. Belford, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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Patent number: 7858934Abstract: A combined rf-only/FAIMS apparatus is disclosed for use in mass spectrometry and other applications. The disclosed apparatus includes a plurality of curved electrodes arranged around a central ion transmission channel. FAIMS functionality is removed electronically when not desired by application of radio frequency (rf) waveforms to the curved electrodes.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2007Date of Patent: December 28, 2010Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Michael W. Belford, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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Patent number: 7851745Abstract: A high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) includes at least two focusing electrodes that are separated one from the other by a gap, which decreases in width along a direction of ion flow. Within the gap is disposed an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode, approximately flat surfaces of the first and second electrodes facing one another so as to define a space of approximately uniform thicknesses therebetween. During use electrical signals are applied via an electrical contact on at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, and on each one of the at least two focusing electrodes. The electrical signals are for establishing electrode electric field conditions within the space between the first electrode and the second, for selectively transmitting ions therethrough and for directing the selectively transmitted ions in a direction away from one of the at least two focusing electrodes and toward a central portion of the space.Type: GrantFiled: December 12, 2008Date of Patent: December 14, 2010Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Michael W. Belford, Viatcheslav V. Kovtoun
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Publication number: 20100148053Abstract: A high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) includes at least two focusing electrodes that are separated one from the other by a gap, which decreases in width along a direction of ion flow. Within the gap is disposed an electrode assembly including a first electrode and a second electrode, approximately flat surfaces of the first and second electrodes facing one another so as to define a space of approximately uniform thicknesses therebetween. During use electrical signals are applied via an electrical contact on at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode, and on each one of the at least two focusing electrodes. The electrical signals are for establishing electrode electric field conditions within the space between the first electrode and the second, for selectively transmitting ions therethrough and for directing the selectively transmitted ions in a direction away from one of the at least two focusing electrodes and toward a central portion of the space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2008Publication date: June 17, 2010Inventors: Michael W. BELFORD, Viatcheslav V. Kovtoun
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Patent number: 7683315Abstract: A FAIMS cell has an elongated inner electrode with a longitudinal axis extending along a first direction. The inner electrode has a curved outer surface that defines a circle when viewed in a cross section that is taken in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis, which itself passes through the center of the circle so defined. An outer electrode having an inner surface is disposed in a spaced-apart facing relationship relative to the outer surface of the inner electrode so as to define an analytical gap therebetween. A first ion inlet orifice is defined through a first portion of the outer electrode, and an ion outlet orifice is defined through a second portion of the outer electrode. In particular, the first ion inlet orifice has a first ion injection axis that does not pass through the center of the circle. Furthermore, the second electrode does not have defined through any portion thereof an ion inlet orifice having an ion injection axis that passes through the center of the circle.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2007Date of Patent: March 23, 2010Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Michael W. Belford, Jean Jacques Dunyach