Patents by Inventor R. Paul Atherton
R. Paul Atherton 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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Patent number: 11029291Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: June 8, 2021Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Gary A. Schultz, R. Paul Atherton, Eloy R. Wouters
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Publication number: 20200340959Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Inventors: Gary A. SCHULTZ, R. Paul ATHERTON, Eloy R. WOUTERS
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Patent number: 10718745Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2015Date of Patent: July 21, 2020Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Gary A. Schultz, R. Paul Atherton, Eloy R. Wouters
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Publication number: 20170131246Abstract: A system for analyzing a sample includes a chromatographic device, an electrospray source, and a mass resolving device. The chromatographic device is configured to separate components of the sample as a function of retention time within a chromatographic column. The electrospray source is configured to direct a first portion of a flow from the chromatographic device via a waste outlet to a pressurized waste reservoir, direct a second portion of the flow to an electrospray ionization outlet to form a spray, and charge and desolvate the spray to form ions of the components of the sample. A flow rate of the second portion of the liquid flow is substantially determined by a pressure of the pressurized waste reservoir. The mass resolving device configured to receive the ions and characterize the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2015Publication date: May 11, 2017Inventors: Gary A. Schultz, R. Paul Atherton, Eloy R. Wouters
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Patent number: 8907272Abstract: A method for transporting ions within a mass spectrometer comprises: inputting the ions and neutral molecules to a first end of an ion transport apparatus comprising a plurality of non co-planar ring-shaped electrode portions having respective central apertures having centers that lie along a common axis and that define an ion channel, the radii of the central apertures decreasing in a direction from the first end to a second end of the ion transport apparatus; applying a set of Radio Frequency voltages to the plurality of electrode portions such that the ions remain substantially confined to the ion channel while passing from the first to the second end; and exhausting the neutral molecules from the ion transport apparatus though a plurality of channels or apertures other than the apertures that define the ion channel, the exhausting performed in one or more directions that are non-perpendicular to the axis.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2013Date of Patent: December 9, 2014Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Eloy R. Wouters, R. Paul Atherton, Satendra Prasad, 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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Patent number: 8847154Abstract: An ion transfer tube for a mass spectrometer comprises a core member and a first jacket tube member at least partially enclosing the core member and providing one or more channels therethrough. A method of forming an ion transfer tube, comprises: providing a first jacket tube member having a length and an internal bore, the internal bore passing along the length and defining an interior surface of circular cross section; removing at least one portion of the first jacket tube member adjacent to the interior surface so as to form at least one groove, channel, slot, recess or embayment of or in the interior surface; and providing a core member within the bore of the jacket tube member such that remnant portions of the interior surface of circular cross section mate against portions of an exterior surface of the core member.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2011Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Eloy R. Wouters, Alexander A. Makarov, R. Paul Atherton, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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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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Patent number: 8546753Abstract: An electrospray ion source apparatus comprises: a plurality of emitter capillaries, each comprising an internal bore for transporting a portion of a liquid sample from a source, an electrode portion for providing a first applied electric potential and an emitter tip for emitting a cloud of charged particles generated from the liquid sample portion; a counter electrode for providing a second applied electric potential different from the first applied electric potential; and at least one shield electrode disposed at least partially between the counter electrode and the emitter tip of at least one of the emitter capillaries for providing a third applied electric potential intermediate to the first and second applied electric potentials, wherein the at least one shield electrode is configured such that provision of the third applied electric potential to the at least one shield electrode minimizes electric field interference effects between the plurality of emitter capillaries.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Viatcheslav V. Kovtoun, Eloy R. Wouters, R. Paul Atherton
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Patent number: 8461524Abstract: A mass spectrometry system arrangement includes a curved ion guide, where the curve of the ion guide is positioned such that a portion of the ion optics are visible from at the ion guide entrance, e.g. line of sight or z-axis. There are four electrodes parallel with each other and the central curved axis. Each electrode is equally radially spaced from the curved central axis. For each cross section of the ion guide, the central curved axis being positioned at the origin, the curved electrodes being radially positioned at 45°, 135°, 225°, and 315°. Depending upon the system, a blocking device is positioned external to the ion guide but within the “line of sight” or positioned tangential to the rising section of the bent ion guide.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 11, 2013Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Jean Jacques Dunyach, August A. Specht, R. Paul Atherton
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Patent number: 8309916Abstract: An ion transfer tube for a mass spectrometer comprises a tube member having an inlet end and an outlet end; and at least one bore extending through the tube member from the inlet end to the outlet end, the at least one bore having a non-circular cross section. A method of forming an ion transfer tube comprises the steps of providing a tube member having a length and an internal bore, the internal bore having a wall of circular cross section; and etching or eroding portions of the tube member adjacent to the wall so as to form an enlarged bore having a non-circular cross section.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2010Date of Patent: November 13, 2012Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Eloy R. Wouters, Alexander A. Makarov, R. Paul Atherton, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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Publication number: 20120280141Abstract: An electrospray ion source apparatus comprises: a plurality of emitter capillaries, each comprising an internal bore for transporting a portion of a liquid sample from a source, an electrode portion for providing a first applied electric potential and an emitter tip for emitting a cloud of charged particles generated from the liquid sample portion; a counter electrode for providing a second applied electric potential different from the first applied electric potential; and at least one shield electrode disposed at least partially between the counter electrode and the emitter tip of at least one of the emitter capillaries for providing a third applied electric potential intermediate to the first and second applied electric potentials, wherein the at least one shield electrode is configured such that provision of the third applied electric potential to the at least one shield electrode minimizes electric field interference effects between the plurality of emitter capillaries.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 16, 2012Publication date: November 8, 2012Inventors: Viatcheslav V. KOVTOUN, Eloy R. WOUTERS, R. Paul ATHERTON
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Publication number: 20120248304Abstract: A mass spectrometry system arrangement includes a curved ion guide, where the curve of the ion guide is positioned such that a portion of the ion optics are visible from at the ion guide entrance, e.g. line of sight or z-axis. There are four electrodes parallel with each other and the central curved axis. Each electrode is equally radially spaced from the curved central axis. For each cross section of the ion guide, the central curved axis being positioned at the origin, the curved electrodes being radially positioned at 45°, 135°, 225°, and 315°. Depending upon the system, a blocking device is positioned external to the ion guide but within the “line of sight” or positioned tangential to the rising section of the bent ion guide.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2011Publication date: October 4, 2012Inventors: Jean Jacques Dunyach, August A. Specht, R. Paul Atherton
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Patent number: 8237115Abstract: An electrospray ion source apparatus comprises: a plurality of emitter capillaries, each comprising an internal bore for transporting a portion of a liquid sample from a source, an electrode portion for providing a first applied electric potential and an emitter tip for emitting charged particles generated from the liquid sample portion; a counter electrode for providing a second applied electric potential different from the first applied electric potential; and at least one shield electrode disposed at least partially between the counter electrode and the emitter tip of at least one of the emitter capillaries for providing a third applied electric potential intermediate to the first and second applied electric potentials, wherein the at least one shield electrode is configured such that provision of the third applied electric potential to the at least one shield electrode provides a uniformity of emission of charged particles from the plurality of emitter tips.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2009Date of Patent: August 7, 2012Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Viatcheslav V. Kovtoun, Eloy R. Wouters, R. Paul Atherton
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Publication number: 20120153141Abstract: An ion transfer tube for a mass spectrometer comprises a core member and a first jacket tube member at least partially enclosing the core member and providing one or more channels therethrough. A method of forming an ion transfer tube, comprises: providing a first jacket tube member having a length and an internal bore, the internal bore passing along the length and defining an interior surface of circular cross section; removing at least one portion of the first jacket tube member adjacent to the interior surface so as to form at least one groove, channel, slot, recess or embayment of or in the interior surface; and providing a core member within the bore of the jacket tube member such that remnant portions of the interior surface of circular cross section mate against portions of an exterior surface of the core member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2011Publication date: June 21, 2012Inventors: Eloy R. WOUTERS, Alexander A. MAKAROV, R. Paul ATHERTON, Jean Jacques DUNYACH
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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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Publication number: 20120043460Abstract: An ion transfer tube for a mass spectrometer comprises a tube member having an inlet end and an outlet end; and at least one bore extending through the tube member from the inlet end to the outlet end, the at least one bore having a non-circular cross section. A method of forming an ion transfer tube comprises the steps of providing a tube member having a length and an internal bore, the internal bore having a wall of circular cross section; and etching or eroding portions of the tube member adjacent to the wall so as to form an enlarged bore having a non-circular cross section.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2010Publication date: February 23, 2012Inventors: Eloy R. WOUTERS, Alexander A. Makarov, R. Paul Atherton, Jean Jacques Dunyach
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Patent number: 8058611Abstract: A system for preventing backflow as part of an ion source arrangement is introduced. Such a system incorporates a novel continuous flow guide within a source, such as an API ion source. In the spray direction, the cross-sectional area that defines the first portion of the internal volume initially decreases in a convergent-like manner and thereafter increases in a divergent-like manner towards the exit opening of the source housing. Such a flow guide has been designed as an integral part of an ion source housing to provide for an optimal unidirectional flow past a sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer inlet. Accordingly, the novel design of the present invention prevents recirculation and thus minimizes carryover, chemical noise, and source turbulence and as an added benefit, enables a user to easily clean such a system during maintenance.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Thermo Finnigan LLCInventors: Eloy R. Wouters, Christopher Mullen, Maurizio A. Splendore, R. Paul Atherton
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Publication number: 20110147577Abstract: An electrospray ion source apparatus comprises: a plurality of emitter capillaries, each comprising an internal bore for transporting a portion of a liquid sample from a source, an electrode portion for providing a first applied electric potential and an emitter tip for emitting charged particles generated from the liquid sample portion; a counter electrode for providing a second applied electric potential different from the first applied electric potential; and at least one shield electrode disposed at least partially between the counter electrode and the emitter tip of at least one of the emitter capillaries for providing a third applied electric potential intermediate to the first and second applied electric potentials, wherein the at least one shield electrode is configured such that provision of the third applied electric potential to the at least one shield electrode provides a uniformity of emission of charged particles from the plurality of emitter tips.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2009Publication date: June 23, 2011Inventors: Viatcheslav V. KOVTOUN, Eloy R. Wouters, R. Paul Atherton
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Publication number: 20110068263Abstract: A system for preventing backflow as part of an ion source arrangement is introduced. Such a system incorporates a novel continuous flow guide within a source, such as an API ion source. In the spray direction, the cross-sectional area that defines the first portion of the internal volume initially decreases in a convergent-like manner and thereafter increases in a divergent-like manner towards the exit opening of the source housing. Such a flow guide has been designed as an integral part of an ion source housing to provide for an optimal unidirectional flow past a sampling orifice of a mass spectrometer inlet. Accordingly, the novel design of the present invention prevents recirculation and thus minimizes carryover, chemical noise, and source turbulence and as an added benefit, enables a user to easily clean such a system during maintenance.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2009Publication date: March 24, 2011Inventors: Eloy R. WOUTERS, Christopher MULLEN, Maurizio A. SPLENDORE, R. Paul ATHERTON