Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for selectively transmitting ions with a FAIMS analyzer in which a flow of carrier gas of a mixed composition is provided. Ions that are transmitted at a same combination of applied potentials when a first carrier gas is provided are in certain cases transmitted at different combinations of applied potentials when a second other carrier gas having a different composition is provided.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus and method for desolvating and selectively transmitting and focussing ions, including ions produced by electrospray ionization (ESI), based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS), for introduction into a mass spectrometer. The ion focussing, trapping and desolvating effects of FAIMS, as identified by the inventors, provides high ion transmission efficiency and high sensitivity for the detection of ions. An apparatus comprising an ESI source, a FAIMS device and a mass spectrometer provides a way of desolvating and selectively transmitting highly solvated ions for introduction into a mass spectrometer for analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for separating ions in the gas phase. An apparatus according to the instant invention includes a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer including an inner electrode having an outer surface and a length. The apparatus further includes an outer electrode having an inner surface and a length and surrounding the inner electrode over at least a portion of the length of the inner electrode, the inner electrode and the outer electrode defining an analyzer region therebetween and being disposed in a spaced apart arrangement for allowing ions to propagate therebetween. The outer electrode also includes an outlet from the analyzer region and at least a first ion inlet and a second distinct ion inlet into the analyzer region. The first ion inlet and the second distinct ion inlet are each for communicating with at least one ionization source.

Abstract: A high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) having spherical electrode geometry is disclosed. The spherical FAIMS includes an inner generally spherical electrode supported in a spaced-apart arrangement relative to an outer electrode. The outer electrode has a curved inner surface that maintains an approximately uniform spacing to the inner electrode. The space between the inner and outer electrodes defines an analyzer region, where an electric field is established by the application of an asymmetric waveform voltage and a direct current compensation voltage to at least one of the inner and outer electrodes. An ion inlet and an ion outlet are disposed within the curved inner surface of the outer electrode such that the shortest distance between the inlet and the outlet in any direction around the inner electrode is approximately a same distance.

Abstract: A method for selectively transmitting ions using a FAIMS device is disclosed. A first analyzer region is defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes. A second analyser region is provided in operational communication with the first analyzer region. Ions are provided to the first analyzer region. The ions are coupled from the first analyser region to the second analyzer region. An asymmetric waveform is used to generate an electric field within the first analyser region and a compensation voltage is applied to prevent some ions from exiting the analyser region. Conditions are provided within the second analyzer region for effecting a second different separation of ions therein. Finally, the separated ions are trapped to accumulate ions within a trapping region thereof.

Abstract: A method for selectively transmitting ions using a FAIMS device is disclosed. A first analyzer region is defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes. A second analyser region is provided in operational communication with the first analyzer region. Ions are provided to the first analyzer region. The ions are coupled from the first analyser region to the second analyzer region. An asymmetric waveform is used to generate an electric field within the first analyser region and a compensation voltage is applied to prevent some ions from exiting the analyser region. Conditions are provided within the second analyzer region for effecting a second different separation of ions therein. Finally, the separated ions are trapped to accumulate ions within a trapping region thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for separating ions in the gas phase. An apparatus according to the instant invention includes a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer including an inner electrode having an outer surface and a length. The apparatus further includes an outer electrode having an inner surface and a length and surrounding the inner electrode over at least a portion of the length of the inner electrode, the inner electrode and the outer electrode defining an analyzer region therebetween and being disposed in a spaced apart arrangement for allowing ions to propagate therebetween. The outer electrode also includes an outlet from the analyzer region and at least a first ion inlet and a second distinct ion inlet into the analyzer region. The first ion inlet and the second distinct ion inlet are each for communicating with at least one ionization source.

Abstract: A high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) having spherical electrode geometry is disclosed. The spherical FAIMS includes an inner generally spherical electrode supported in a spaced-apart arrangement relative to an outer electrode. The outer electrode has a curved inner surface that maintains an approximately uniform spacing to the inner electrode. The space between the inner and outer electrodes defines an analyzer region, where an electric field is established by the application of an asymmetric waveform voltage and a direct current compensation voltage to at least one of the inner and outer electrodes. An ion inlet and an ion outlet are disposed within the curved inner surface of the outer electrode such that the shortest distance between the inlet and the outlet in any direction around the inner electrode is approximately a same distance.

Abstract: Generally, the present invention provides a device for heating the sample stream inlet of an ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) sensor. The heating device increases the temperature of the sample stream inlet surface to reduce the amount of time between adsorption and desorption taking place on the surface. This greatly improves the ability of the IMS sensor to follow rapidly changing analyte concentration levels. An alternate preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a flow smoothing device for decreasing the turbulence present in the fluid flow entering the IMS sensor's carrier stream inlet. This flow smoothing insert permits increasing the fluid flow rate entering the IMS sensor's carrier stream inlet to levels which maximize the IMS sensor's measurement sensitivity without causing mixing of the sample and carrier fluid stream flows.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for selectively transmitting ions in which the ions are subjected to a focusing effect such that the overall efficiency of ion transmission is increased. The method relies on a FAIMS analyzer having at least an electrode disposed approximately between two other electrode surfaces for producing an electric field that is symmetric on opposing sides of the at least an electrode. An ion exiting from between the electrodes experiences a balanced electric field, such that impact with one of the electrodes is prevented.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions produced by an inductively coupled plasma ionization technique is disclosed. Ions produced within the plasma source are provided to a FAIMS analyzer within a low pressure chamber of a mass spectrometer and in fluid communication with the plasma source for receiving ions therefrom. The ions are separated in FAIMS and at least some of the ions are provided to the mass spectrometer after separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of separating ions having the same mass to charge ratio but different ion mobility characteristics, based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry. Isomers including gas-phase molecular anions of the amino acids leucine and isoleucine are separable by the method of the present invention. Identification of different conformers of ions at the same charge state, including conformers present at certain charge states of the protein bovine ubiquitin, is also possible using the method of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions and trapping the ions within a defined 3-dimensional space at atmospheric pressure. The invention is based on the ion focussing principles of high field asymmetric wave-form ion mobility spectrometry in which an analyzer region is defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes, the analyzer region having a gas inlet and a gas outlet for providing a flow of gas through the analyzer region. Ions which are introduced into the analyzer region are carried by a gas flow towards a gas outlet. At least one of the electrodes has a curved surface terminus located near the gas outlet and the gas flow is adjusted so that ions are trapped in a defined 3-dimensional space located near the tip of the terminus. Trapping of ions in a defined 3-dimensional space allows a more concentrated flow of desired ions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for distinguishing between protein variants using high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS). A method according to the instant invention includes the steps of providing a FAIMS analyzer region defined by a space between two spaced-apart electrodes, and providing predetermined conditions within said FAIMS analyzer region. Ions of an analyte protein are produced from a solution having predetermined properties and including the analyte protein, using a suitable ionization source. The ions are introduced into the FAIMS analyzer region, transmitted therethrough, and detected. An intensity of the detected ions is measured at a predetermined CV value. At least a difference is determined, between the detected intensity and a reference value, the reference value relating to an expected intensity at the predetermined CV value for a reference form of the analyte protein.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions a FAIMS analyzer is disclosed. An ion diverter is included within a FAIMS analyzer for affecting the trajectories of ions after separation to direct the ions in a known fashion. The ion diverter is optically a gas flow source or an electrode for generating an electrical field to alter ion flow.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: Disclosed is a high field asymmetric waveform ion mobility spectrometer (FAIMS) with optical based detection of selectively transmitted ions. Light from a light source is directed through an optical port in an electrode of the FAIMS. A light detector is provided for receiving light that is one of transmitted and scattered by the selectively transmitted ions within the FAIMS.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for selectively transmitting ions produced by an inductively coupled plasma ionization technique is disclosed. Ions produced within the plasma source are provided to a FAIMS analyzer within a low pressure chamber of a mass spectrometer and in fluid communication with the plasma source for receiving ions therefrom. The ions are separated in FAIMS and at least some of the ions are provided to the mass spectrometer after separation.

Abstract: A method for seperating ions is disclosed. A first analyzer region is provided defined by a space between first and second spaced apart electrodes. A second analyser region is defined in operational communication with the first analyzer region and having two electrodes. Ions are provided to one of the first analyzer region and the second analyzer region and then coupled from there to the other analyzer region. A first asymmetric waveform and a first direct-current compensation voltage are applied to electrodes for providing an electric field within the first analyzer region. The first asymmetric waveform is typically selected for effecting a difference in net displacement between two different ions in the time of one cycle of the applied first asymmetric waveform and the first compensation voltage is selected to support selective transmission of a first subset of the ions within the first analyzer region.