Abstract: Time-of-flight mass spectrometer instruments are disclosed for monitoring fast processes with large dynamic range using a multi-threshold TDC data acquisition method or a threshold ADC data acquisition method. Embodiments using a combination of both methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for ionizing a neutral MALDI desorption plume, and in particular, for efficiently measuring the ionized MALDI desorption plume when post-ionization techniques are combined with a medium pressure MALDI-IM-oTOFMS instrument. Additionally, the present disclosure provides a method and apparatus that simultaneously separates tissue-sample MALDI ions by IM-oTOFMS according to their chemical family. After separation, the MALDI ions are directly compared to the ions created by post-ionizing the co-desorbed neutral molecules with a second laser wherein the second laser is delayed by a few hundred microseconds.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexed data acquisition for gas-phase ion mobility coupled with mass spectrometry is described. Ion packets are injected into an ion mobility drift chamber at a rate faster than the ion mobility separation arrival time distribution. The convoluted arrival time distributions thus generated are deconvoluted by a mass spectrometer and post-processing algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the laser desorption of biological molecular ions from surfaces by creating a surface localized MALDI particle matrix by ion implantation of low energy ionized clusters (gold, aluminum, etc.) or chemically derivatized clusters into the near surface region of the sample. MALDI analysis of the intact biomolecules on the surface or within a narrow subsurface region defined by the implantation range of the ions can then be performed by laser desorption into a mass spectrometer or, in a preferred embodiment, into a combined ion mobility orthogonal time of flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A power lift and transfer system and method are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the power lift and transfer system and method may be realized as a power lift and transfer system. The power lift and transfer system may move, stow, and carry a mobility device for a user with a disability, and then assist the person with the disability to transfer in and out of a vehicle. The power lift and transfer system may further transport the wheeled or other mobility device from a position in a rear or on top of the vehicle to passenger or driver areas of the vehicle, and then assist the user by means of a conveyor belt to transfer laterally into the automobile seat.

Abstract: An electrically-actuated lifting and transferring apparatus designed to facilitate the lifting and transfer process of a disabled person into and out of a vehicle. In a preferred embodiment, an apparatus in accordance with the present invention is realized as having a vertical or semi-vertical electric or hydraulic extension arm, a mounting apparatus, a seat belt interlock system or foldaway safety arm, a support member along a plane having a horizontal component with option to pivot from its end point from a horizontal to a substantially vertical axis, and a seat surface with locking device pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis.

Abstract: The content of the invention comprises a concept of reactor for isolated ion transformations induced by collisions with neutral species. This reactor is also an interface between mobility cell and orthogonal injection TOFMS based on supersonic adiabatic gas flow with variable controlled composition directed along the axis of a multipole ion guide with sectioned rods for possibility of creating of controlled distributions of RF, DC and AC rotating fields.

Abstract: The present invention enhances the laser desorption of biological molecular ions from surfaces by creating a surface localized MALDI particle matrix by ion implantation of low energy ionized clusters (gold, aluminum, etc.) or chemically derivatized clusters into the near surface region of the sample. MALDI analysis of the intact biomolecules on the surface or within a narrow subsurface region defined by the implantation range of the ions can then be performed by laser desorption into a mass spectrometer or, in a preferred embodiment, into a combined ion mobility orthogonal time of flight mass spectrometer.

Abstract: A technique for controlling vehicle functions is disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the technique may be realized as an apparatus for controlling vehicle functions. Such an apparatus may comprise a support member configured to attach to a steering wheel of a vehicle, a switch assembly fixedly attached to the support member for electrically controlling functions of the vehicle, and a prosthetic steering device rotatably attached to the support member for manually controlling steering of the vehicle. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, such an apparatus may comprise a support member configured to attach to a steering wheel of a vehicle, and a prosthetic device rotatably attached to the support member for manually controlling steering of the vehicle, wherein the prosthetic device has a switch assembly for electrically controlling functions of the vehicle.

Abstract: The present invent provides a particle detector for counting and measuring the flight time of secondary electrons and scattered ions and neutrals and to correlate coincidences between these and backscattered ions/and neutrals while maintaining a continuous unpulsed microfocused primary ion beam for impinging a surface. Intensities of the primary particle scattering and secondary particle emissions are correlated with the position of impact of the focused beam onto a materials surface so that a spatially resolved surface elemental and electronic structural mapping is obtained by scanning the focused beam across the surface.

Abstract: The content of the invention comprises a concept of reactor for isolated ion transformations induced by collisions with neutral species. This reactor is also an interface between mobility cell and orthogonal injection TOFMS based on supersonic adiabatic gas flow with variable controlled composition directed along the axis of a multipole ion guide with sectioned rods for possibility of creating of controlled distributions of RF, DC and AC rotating fields.

Abstract: An electrically actuated lifting and transferring apparatus for assisting disabled persons when entering and exiting a vehicle is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a horizontal lifting bar disposed longitudinally alongside a seat of the vehicle between the seat and a door opening of the vehicle. The apparatus also comprises an electrical actuator indirectly coupled to the horizontal lifting bar for forcing the horizontal lifting bar between a lowered position directly adjacent and level with the seat and a raised position away from and above the seat. The apparatus further comprises at least one mounting bracket for securing an assembly comprising the horizontal lifting bar and the electrical actuator directly to the seat.

Abstract: The content of the invention comprises a concept of multi-beam ion pre-selection from a single sample, coordinated mobility (against the gas flow) separation, cooling ions in supersonic gas flow and mass separation of thus low divergent ions by single or plural compact high-resolution orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometers both linear or reflectron type with controlled collision-induced dissociation (CID) and multi-channel data recording for the optimization of sample use in the analysis, and obtaining as much useful information about the sample as possible in a reasonably short time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexed data acquisition for gas-phase ion mobility coupled with mass spectrometry is described. Ion packets are injected into an ion mobility drift chamber at a rate faster than the ion mobility separation arrival time distribution. The convoluted arrival time distributions thus generated are deconvoluted by a mass spectrometer and post-processing algorithms.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to instrumentation and methodology for the characterization of chemical samples in solutions or on a surface which is based on modified ionization methods with or without adjustable pH and controllable H-D exchange in solution, an improved ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), a multi-beam ion pre-selection of the initial flow, and coordinated mobility and mass ion separation and detection using a single or several independent time-of-flight mass spectrometers for different beams with methods for fragmenting ion mobility-separated ions and multi-channel data recording

Abstract: The content of the invention comprises a concept of multi-beam ion pre-selection from a single sample, coordinated mobility (against the gas flow) separation, cooling ions in supersonic gas flow and mass separation of thus low divergent ions by single or plural compact high-resolution orthogonal time-of-flight mass spectrometers both linear or reflectron type with controlled collision-induced dissociation (CID) and multi-channel data recording for the optimization of sample use in the analysis, and obtaining as much useful information about the sample as possible in a reasonably short time.

Abstract: Time-of-flight mass spectrometer instruments are disclosed for monitoring fast processes with large dynamic range using a multi-threshold TDC data acquisition method or a threshold ADC data acquisition method. Embodiments using a combination of both methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to instrumentation and methodology for the characterization of chemical samples in solutions or on a surface which is based on modified ionization methods with or without adjustable pH and controllable H-D exchange in solution, in improved ion mobility spectrometer (IMS), a multi-beam ion per-selection of the initial flow, and coordinated mobility and mass ion separation and detection using a single or several independent time-of-flight mass spectrometers for different beams with methods for fragmenting ion mobility-separated ions and multi-channel data recording.

Abstract: The content of the invention comprises a concept of reactor for isolated ion transformations induced by collisions with neutral species. This reactor is also an interface between mobility cell and orthogonal injection TOFMS based on supersonic adiabatic gas flow with variable controlled composition directed along the axis of a multipole ion guide with sectioned rods for possibility of creating of controlled distributions of RF, DC and AC rotating fields.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for multiplexed data acquisition for gas-phase ion mobility coupled with mass spectrometry is described. Ion packets are injected into an ion mobility drift chamber at a rate faster than the ion mobility separation arrival time distribution. The convoluted arrival time distributions thus generated are deconvoluted by a mass spectrometer and post-processing algorithms.