Patents by Inventor Steven Derek Pringle

Steven Derek Pringle 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).

  • Ion mobility spectrometry data directed acquisition
    Patent number: 10083824
    Abstract: A method of analyzing ions, comprising performing an initial multidimensional survey scan comprising separating parent ions according to a first physico-chemical property and separating said parent ions according to a second physico-chemical property, producing a two-dimensional data set comprising data corresponding to said first physico-chemical property and data corresponding to said second physico-chemical property, identifying one or more target ion species of interest and determining a mode of operation of a mass spectrometer for said target ion species of interest using data relating to said target ion species of interest in said two-dimensional data set, wherein said mode of operation comprises the location of fragmentation of said target ions of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Giles, Martin Raymond Green, Steven Derek Pringle, Keith Richardson, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • LOW CROSS-TALK FAST SAMPLE DELIVERY SYSTEM BASED UPON ACOUSTIC DROPLET EJECTION
    Publication number: 20180269051
    Abstract: An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ultrasonic transducer which focuses ultrasonic energy onto a surface of a sample fluid without directly contacting the sample fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Morris, Steven Derek Pringle, Keith Richardson, Ian Sinclair
  • Diathermy Knife Ionisation Source
    Publication number: 20180233345
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more compounds, chemicals or contaminants in a substrate by mass spectrometry is disclosed. A non-living substrate is analysed by contacting the substrate with a diathermy knife. An electric current is applied to the diathermy knife such that the diathermy knife vaporises a portion of the substrate. The vapour is aspirated via a sampling tube pumped by a venturi pump into a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer. Analyte molecules are aspirated into the vacuum chamber whereupon they impact a surface of the vacuum chamber and are ionised to form analyte ions which are then mass analysed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2018
    Publication date: August 16, 2018
    Inventors: Steven Derek Pringle, Michael Raymond Morris, Stephen Smith, Michael McCullagh
  • Rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry (“REIMS”) and desorption electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry (“DESI-MS”) analysis of swabs and biopsy samples
    Patent number: 10026599
    Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising providing a biological sample on a swab, directing a spray of charged droplets onto a surface of the swab in order to generate a plurality of analyte ions, and analyzing the analyte ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Zoltan Takats, Emrys Jones, James Ian Langridge, Michael Raymond Morris, Tamas Karancsi, Steven Derek Pringle, Julia Balog, Daniel Simon, Lajos Godorhazy, Daniel Szalay, Keith Richardson, Phillip Robert Bennett, David Alan MacIntyre, Pamela Pruski
  • Mass spectrometer with digital step attenuator
    Patent number: 9991106
    Abstract: A method is disclosed comprising passing a signal output from a detector through a programmable attenuator or a programmable amplifier prior to digitizing the signal, and switching an attenuation factor or gain factor of the programmable attenuator or the programmable amplifier one or more times during a data acquisition period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Martin Raymond Green, Steven Derek Pringle, Keith George Richardson
  • SAMPLE MASS SPECTRUM ANALYSIS
    Publication number: 20180150617
    Abstract: A method of analysing a sample mass spectrum comprises comparing a sample mass spectrum of a sample with each reference mass spectrum of plural reference mass spectra. A similarity index is assigned to each reference mass spectrum of the plural reference mass spectra based on similarity between the sample mass spectrum and the reference mass spectrum. For each group of one or more groups of the plural reference mass spectra, the similarity indexes for the reference mass spectra belonging to the group are combined so as to provide a group index for the group at a first level of a hierarchy of sample characteristics. The reference mass spectra belonging to each group are mass spectra of reference samples that have a particular characteristic in common. The method provides a way to categorise a sample as belonging to a particular group of reference samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2016
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: Keith George Richardson, Steven Derek Pringle
  • LOCK MASS LIBRARY FOR INTERNAL CORRECTION
    Publication number: 20180144916
    Abstract: A method of calibrating or optimising an analytical instrument is disclosed that comprises analysing analyte from a sample using an analytical instrument, determining a sample type of the sample based on analysis of analyte from the sample, identifying one or more species of the analyte that are known to be endogenous to the determined sample type, and calibrating or optimising the analytical instrument using the one or more identified endogenous species.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Inventors: Keith Richardson, Steven Derek Pringle, Michael Raymond Morris
  • Mass spectrometer with reduced potential drop
    Patent number: 9978572
    Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising providing a first device and a second device disposed downstream of the first device. The method further comprises introducing a potential difference between the exit of the first device and the entrance of the second device and reducing the total potential drop across the first and second devices by applying a reverse axial electric field to the first device and/or the second device. Ions are driven through the first device and/or the second device against the reverse axial electric field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Kevin Giles, Steven Derek Pringle, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Diathermy knife ionisation source
    Patent number: 9947524
    Abstract: A method of detecting one or more compounds, chemicals or contaminants in a substrate by mass spectrometry is disclosed. A non-living substrate is analyzed by contacting the substrate with a diathermy knife. An electric current is applied to the diathermy knife such that the diathermy knife vaporizes a portion of the substrate. The vapor is aspirated via a sampling tube pumped by a venturi pump into a vacuum chamber of a mass spectrometer. Analyte molecules are aspirated into the vacuum chamber whereupon they impact a surface of the vacuum chamber and are ionized to form analyte ions which are then mass analyzed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Steven Derek Pringle, Michael Raymond Morris, Stephen Smith, Michael McCullagh
  • Travelling wave IMS with counterflow of gas
    Patent number: 9939408
    Abstract: A method of separating ions according to mass to charge ratio is disclosed. The method comprises: providing a separation device comprising a plurality of electrodes; applying one or more transient DC voltages or potentials to at least some of said electrodes in order to urge ions in a first direction through said separation device; and providing a gas flow in a second direction which is substantially inclined or opposed to said first direction. The opposed gas flow unexpectedly improves the mass to charge ratio separation resolution of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Giles, Martin Raymond Green, David J. Langridge, Steven Derek Pringle, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • High pressure mass resolving ion guide with axial field
    Patent number: 9929002
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first mass filter comprising a plurality of electrodes and a first device arranged and adapted to generate an axial force which drives at least some ions axially through or along the first mass filter and a quadrupole mass filter or mass analyzer arranged downstream of the mass filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: MIROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Kevin Giles, Martin Raymond Green, Darren Hewitt, Daniel James Kenny, David J. Langridge, Steven Derek Pringle, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Ion source
    Patent number: 9916970
    Abstract: A method of ionizing a sample is provided, comprising providing a fluid sample, wherein the fluid sample contains an analyte, applying one or more pulses of acoustic energy to the fluid sample to cause a spray of the fluid sample to eject from the surface of the fluid sample, and applying an AC, RF or alternating voltage to the fluid sample using an electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2018
    Assignee: MICROMASS UK LIMITED
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Morris, Steven Derek Pringle, Richard Ellson, Richard Stearns, Lars Majlof, Ian Sinclair
  • Mass spectrometer device and method using scanned phase applied potentials in ion guidance
    Patent number: 9786479
    Abstract: An ion guide or mass analyser is disclosed comprising a plurality of electrodes having apertures through which ions are transmitted in use. A pseudo-potential barrier is created at the exit of the ion guide or mass analyser. The amplitude or depth of the pseudo-potential barrier is inversely proportional to the mass to charge ratio of an ion. One or more transient DC voltages are applied to the electrodes of the ion guide or mass analyser in order to urge ions along the length of the ion guides or mass analyser. The amplitude of the transient DC voltage applied to the electrode may be increased with time so that ions are caused to be emitted from the ion guide or mass analyser in reverse order of their mass to charge ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Martin Raymond Green, Jason Lee Wildgoose, Steven Derek Pringle, Daniel James Kenny
  • Method of screening a sample for the presence of one or more known compounds of interest and a mass spectrometer performing this method
    Patent number: 9779929
    Abstract: A method of screening a sample for the presence of one or more known compounds of interest is disclosed. A fragmentation device is repeatedly switched between a fragmentation mode of operation and a non-fragmentation mode of operation. A determination is made whether a candidate parent ion of interest is present in a non-fragmentation data set and whether one or more corresponding fragment ions of interest are present in a fragmentation data set. A further determination is made to check if the candidate parent ion of interest and the one or more corresponding fragment ions of interest have substantially similar elution or retention times and/or ion mobility drift times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Goshawk, Steven Derek Pringle, Steve Smith
  • DDA experiment with reduced data processing
    Patent number: 9697996
    Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: performing a survey scan of a plurality of different types of parent or precursor ions, wherein the survey scan comprises analyzing the ion mobilities of the ions and mass analyzing the ions; determining the charge states of parent or precursor ions analyzed in the survey scan based on their determined combinations of ion mobility and mass to charge ratio; selecting a parent or precursor ion for fragmentation or reaction; and fragmenting or reacting the selected ion, wherein the fragmentation or reaction conditions are selected from a plurality of different fragmentation or reaction conditions based upon the determined charge state of the selected ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery Mark Brown, Kevin Giles, Martin Raymond Green, John Brian Hoyes, Christopher Jones, Michael Raymond Morris, Steven Derek Pringle, Keith Richardson, Farnoush Salarzaei, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Combined mass-to-charge ratio and charge state selection in tandem mass spectrometry
    Patent number: 9685313
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ion mobility spectrometer and an ion gate. A collision cell is arranged downstream of the ion gate. The operation of the ion mobility spectrometer and the ion gate are synchronised so that only ions having a particular mass to charge ratio and a desired charge state are onwardly transmitted to the collision cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Robert Harold Bateman, Kevin Giles, Steven Derek Pringle, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Conversion of ion arrival times or ion intensities into multiple intensities or arrival times in a mass spectrometer
    Patent number: 9673031
    Abstract: A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a Time of Flight mass analyzer comprising an ion detector comprising an Analog to Digital Converter. Signals from the Analog to Digital Converter are digitized and the arrival time and intensity of ions are determined. The arrival time T0 and intensity S0 of each ion arrival event is converted into two separate intensities S(n),S(n+i) which are stored in neighboring time bins T(n), T(n+1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Robert Harold Bateman, Jeffery Mark Brown, Martin Green, Jason Lee Wildgoose, Anthony James Gilbert, Steven Derek Pringle
  • Low cross-talk fast sample delivery system based upon acoustic droplet ejection
    Patent number: 9664647
    Abstract: An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an ultrasonic transducer which focuses ultrasonic energy onto a surface of a sample fluid without directly contacting the sample fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Michael Raymond Morris, Steven Derek Pringle, Keith Richardson, Ian Sinclair
  • Device allowing improved reaction monitoring of gas phase reactions in mass spectrometers using an auto ejection ion trap
    Patent number: 9653279
    Abstract: A collision or reaction device for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to cause first ions to collide or react with charged particles and/or neutral particles or otherwise dissociate so as to form second ions. A second device is arranged and adapted to apply a broadband excitation with one or more frequency notches to the first device so as to cause the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions to be substantially ejected from the collision or reaction region. The collision or reaction device further comprises a device arranged and adapted to determine the time when the second ions and/or ions derived from the second ions are substantially ejected from the first device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery Mark Brown, Martin Raymond Green, Steven Derek Pringle, Jason Lee Wildgoose
  • Method and apparatus for reacting ions
    Patent number: 9646814
    Abstract: A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed having a mode comprising: providing a source of precursor ions and reagent ions for reacting with said precursor ions; providing a reaction region downstream of said source; providing an ion mobility separator between said source and said reaction region; providing a bypass cell between said source and said reaction region for guiding ions from said source to said reaction region without the ions passing through said ion mobility separator; guiding said precursor ions from said source, through said ion mobility separator so that said precursor ions separate according to their ion mobility and into said reaction region; and guiding said reagent ions from said source, through said bypass cell and into said reaction region; wherein the reagent ions react with the precursor ions within the reaction region to produce product ions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Assignee: Micromass UK Limited
    Inventors: Jeffery Mark Brown, Kevin Giles, Steven Derek Pringle