Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for delivering ions to a vacuum chamber. The apparatus comprises an ionization chamber, an ionization region within the ionization chamber, a vacuum interface at a vacuum interface voltage and a vacuum chamber, wherein the ionization chamber communicates with the vacuum chamber through the vacuum interface. Sample is introduced into the ionization chamber from an electrospray assembly at approximately ground potential. Two electrodes are provided within the chamber such that three electric fields are generated, a first field extending from the electrospray assembly to the first electrode, a second field extending from the second electrode to the first electrode, and a third field extending from the second electrode to the vacuum interface. Ions are forced to travel through the fields in order before entering the vacuum chamber. In addition, the invention provides a method of delivering ions to a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved method for quantitative determination and/or identification of proteins in a sample. In one aspect, the invention provides a mass spectroscopic method for comparing protein levels in two or more samples by differentially isotopically labeling each sample's proteins' N- or C-termini. In another aspect, the invention provides a mass-spectroscopic method for identifying a sample as source for a protein from a mixture of two or more samples by differentially isotopically labeling each sample's proteins' N- or C-termini.

Abstract: A multimode ionization source includes an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure ionization source downstream from the electrospray ionization source for further ionizing said charged aerosol, and a mode separator, or mask, situated so as to separate a portion of the charged aerosol and prevent the portion from being exposed to the atmospheric pressure ionization source.

Abstract: A method for sealingly coupling a first component and a second component. The method includes forming a polymer male portion attached to the first component. The male portion has a first axis and a first bore extending therethrough. The male portion has a first stop surface, a second stop surface and an annular sealing portion intermediate the first stop surface and the second stop surface. The method also includes forming a polymer female portion attached to the second component. The female portion has a second axis and a second bore extending therethrough. The female portion has a third stop surface, a fourth stop surface and an annular ring intermediate the third stop surface and the fourth stop surface. The male portion is urged towards the female portion so that at least one of the first stop surface is adjacent the third stop surface or the second stop surface is adjacent the fourth stop surface.

Abstract: A multimode ionization source includes an electrospray ionization source for providing a charged aerosol, an atmospheric pressure ionization source downstream from the electrospray ionization source for further ionizing said charged aerosol, and a mode separator, or mask, situated so as to separate a portion of the charged aerosol and prevent the portion from being exposed to the atmospheric pressure ionization source.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source, e.g. for a mass spectrometer, that produces ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). It includes a vaporizer, a photon source for photoionizing vapor molecules upon exit from the vaporizer, a passageway for transporting ions to, for example, a mass spectrometer system, and a means for directing the ions into the passageway. The center axis of the vaporizer and the center axis of the passageway form an angle that may be about 90 degrees. Included in the invention is a method for creating ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization along an axis and directing them into a passageway oriented at an angle to that axis.

Abstract: For generation and delivery of ions from an ionization chamber through an ion entrance orifice to a mass analyzer operating at high vacuum, high pass ion filtration is effected within the ionization chamber by application of electrical potentials to an electrode associated with the ion entrance orifice and to an electrode between the ionization region and the ion entrance orifice to create a retarding electric field upstream from the ion entrance orifice. The retarding electric field hinders the movement to the ion entrance orifice of ions having drift velocities below a lower limit, and as the retarding voltage gradient is made steeper, the lower limit increases.

Abstract: A modular bulletin board includes a plurality of planar panels each having a plurality of edges. Each of the panels is provided along two or more contiguous edges with interleaved projections and recesses that interlock with recesses and projections on an adjacent panel. At least one adhesive element is provided for attaching a rear side of the panels to a surface. The panels have a front layer made of cork and a backing layer made of another material such as a polymeric foam material.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for use with a mass spectrometry system. The invention provides an ion source, infrared emitter and sensor with closed control feedback loop coupled to the infrared emitter. Methods of control and heating using the apparatus of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for delivering ions to a vacuum chamber. The apparatus comprises an ionization chamber, an ionization region within the ionization chamber, a vacuum interface at a vacuum interface voltage and a vacuum chamber, wherein the ionization chamber communicates with the vacuum chamber through the vacuum interface. Sample is introduced into the ionization chamber from an electrospray assembly at approximately ground potential. Two electrodes are provided within the chamber such that three electric fields are generated, a first field extending from the electrospray assembly to the first electrode, a second field extending from the second electrode to the first electrode, and a third field extending from the second electrode to the vacuum interface. Ions are forced to travel through the fields in order before entering the vacuum chamber. In addition, the invention provides a method of delivering ions to a vacuum chamber.

Abstract: An atmospheric pressure ion source, e.g. for a mass spectrometer, that produces ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI). It includes a vaporizer, a photon source for photoionizing vapor molecules upon exit from the vaporizer, a passageway for transporting ions to, for example, a mass spectrometer system, and a means for directing the ions into the passageway. The center axis of the vaporizer and the center axis of the passageway form an angle that may be about 90 degrees. Included in the invention is a method for creating ions by atmospheric pressure photoionization along an axis and directing them into a passageway oriented at an angle to that axis.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a sight tube flowmeter is formed of a plurality of fluoropolymer components welded together to form a unitary flowmeter body. The components can comprise a PFA upright sight tube having two end portions, a flow conduit extending therethrough and two fitting portions that are uniquely welded onto each end of the sight tube, and a fluoropolymer float device movable to various positions within the flow conduit depending on the flow level of the fluid flowing therethrough. The float device can be of conventional design or for those flowmeter embodiments where low fluid flow rates are to be measured, an elongate float can be utilized. The floats and, in particular, a designated portion thereof, are visible through the sight tube to provide visual indication of the position, and thus the flow rate of fluid flowing through the flowmeter. In addition, alternative embodiments include the implementation of the unique sight tube and elongate float design in conventional flowmeters.

Abstract: A method for sealingly coupling a first component and a second component. The method includes forming a polymer male portion attached to the first component. The male portion has a first axis and a first bore extending therethrough. The male portion has a first stop surface, a second stop surface and an annular sealing portion intermediate the first stop surface and the second stop surface. The method also includes forming a polymer female portion attached to the second component. The female portion has a second axis and a second bore extending therethrough. The female portion has a third stop surface, a fourth stop surface and an annular ring intermediate the third stop surface and the fourth stop surface. The male portion is urged towards the female portion so that at least one of the first stop surface is adjacent the third stop surface or the second stop surface is adjacent the fourth stop surface.

Abstract: A coupling ideally suited for sealing between components such as a fluoropolymer valve body (50) and a fluoropolymer manifold (52) or for coupling tubing end portions, utilizes structure on said components for defining the sealing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a male protruding portion (62), a recessed female receiving portion (64), and a clamping means. The clamping means (92) has an inner threaded surface for engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the male protruding portion. The male protruding portion is shaped, generally, as a converging rounded conical frustum (65.1) having an exterior surface, a primary sealing surface, a first stop surface (78), a second cooperating stop surface, and a fluid flow duct. The fluid flow duct is preferably concentrically positioned. The recessed portion has a circular perimeter, an inwardly projecting annular ring (74), a first cooperating stop surface, a second stop (82) surface, and a fluid flow duct.

Abstract: A coupling ideally suited for sealing between components such as a fluoropolymer valve body (50) and a fluoropolymer manifold (52) or for coupling tubing end portions, utilizes structure on said components for defining the sealing surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, the coupling comprises a male protruding portion (62), a recessed female receiving portion (64), and a clamping means. The clamping means (92) has an inner threaded surface for engaging a correspondingly threaded portion of the male protruding portion. The male protruding portion is shaped, generally, as a converging rounded conical frustum (65.1) having an exterior surface, a primary sealing surface, a first stop surface (78), a second cooperating stop surface, and a fluid flow duct. The fluid flow duct is preferably concentrically positioned. The recessed portion has a circular perimeter, an inwardly projecting annular ring (74), a first cooperating stop surface, a second stop (82) surface, and a fluid flow duct.