Patents by Inventor Timothy J. Cornish

Timothy J. Cornish 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).

  • Patent number: 7115859
    Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) and method for increasing the collection efficiency of laser-desorbed ions in a miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) is provided. The method provides a laser pulse generated by an ionization extraction device within the TOF-MS; maintains a sample plate potential at a ground level for a fixed delay period of about 50 ns; and uses a high voltage switch to sharply increase the sample plate potential up to 10 kV/mm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Timothy J. Cornish
  • Patent number: 6977381
    Abstract: A gating grid for deflecting ions includes an insulating substrate (16), a conducting layer (28) adhered to the insulating substrate (16), and interdigitated electrodes (14) patterned in the conducting layer by a photolithographic process. A hole (18) in the insulating substrate beneath the interdigitated electrodes allows ions to pass through the hole in the substrate. A process for making a gating grid for deflecting ions includes adhering a conducting layer (28) to an insulating substrate (16), forming interdigitated electrodes (14) on the conducting layer (28), and then forming a hole (18) in the insulating substrate beneath the interdigitated electrodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2005
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Harry K. Charles, Jr., Arthur S. Francomacaro, Allen C. Keeney, David M. Lee, Timothy J. Cornish
  • Patent number: 6943344
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing signal ringing in a microchannel plate detector assembly having a cylindrical mount with a center tube extending through at least a portion of the assembly, in a mass spectrometer including the steps of providing the microchannel plate detector assembly with a pin anode extending from the cylindrical mount and located in proximity to the center tube; holding a front portion of the assembly at ground potential; setting a middle portion of the assembly between the front portion and a rear portion to a first voltage potential for accelerating ions; holding the rear portion of the assembly to a second voltage potential; holding the pin anode at a third voltage potential; and accelerating electrons emitted from the middle portion of the assembly toward the pin anode. The third voltage potential is established by an amplifier of an oscilloscope connected to the detector assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2005
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Scott A. Ecelberger
  • Patent number: 6854344
    Abstract: A modular aerosol sample detection system is provided comprising a sample collector couplable to an aerial vehicle and provided with at least one retrievable collection sample plate, which controllably rotates to collect aerosol samples on a multiplicity of collection spots arranged in multiple concentric tracks on the collection disk, and a multi-channel TOF removably couplable to the collection sampler to analyze the collected samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Frederick P. Gick
  • Patent number: 6844544
    Abstract: Techniques for simultaneously detecting direct and reflected ions in a time-of-flight tube (120) and a source (110) for generating an ion beam of ions of a sample and introducing the ion beam into a first portion of the flight tube. A reflector (126) reflects ions from the ion beam in a second portion of the flight tube. A plate (140) substantially perpendicular to an axis of the ion beam is located between the first portion of the flight tube and the second portion of the flight tube. The plate has a hole through which some ions in the ion beam may pass from the first portion to the second portion of the flight tube. Each of two opposite faces of the plate includes a set of one or more ion detectors (140). The technique allows rapid, reliable detection of complex agents in a small number of samples.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Scott A. Ecelberger
  • Patent number: 6841773
    Abstract: A field portable mass spectrometer system comprising a sample collector and a sample transporter. The sample transporter interfaces with the sample collector to receive sample deposits thereon. The system further comprises a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The time of flight mass spectrometer has a sealable opening that receives the sample transported via the sample transporter in an extraction region of the mass spectrometer. The system further comprises a control unit that processes a time series output by the mass spectrometer for a received sample and identifies one or more agents contained in the sample.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Michael P. McLoughlin, William R. Allmon, Charles W. Anderson, Micah A. Carlson, Nicholas H. Evancich, Wayne A. Bryden, Scott A. Ecelberger, James T. Velky, Daniel J. DeCicco, Timothy J. Cornish
  • Publication number: 20040231150
    Abstract: A gating grid for deflecting ions includes an insulating substrate (16), a conducting layer (28) adhered to the insulating substrate (16), and interdigitated electrodes (14) patterned in the conducting layer by a photolithographic process. A hole (18) in the insulating substrate beneath the interdigitated electrodes allows ions to pass through the hole in the substrate. A process for making a gating grid for deflecting ions includes adhering a conducting layer (28) to an insulating substrate (16), forming interdigitated electrodes (14) on the conducting layer (28), and then forming a hole (18) in the insulating substrate beneath the interdigitated electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Inventors: Harry K. Charles, Arthur S Francomacaro, Allen C Keeney, David M Lee, Timothy J Cornish
  • Publication number: 20040222372
    Abstract: A field portable mass spectrometer system comprising a sample collector and a sample transporter. The sample transporter interfaces with the sample collector to receive sample deposits thereon. The system further comprises a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer. The time of flight mass spectrometer has a sealable opening that receives the sample transported via the sample transporter in an extraction region of the mass spectrometer. The system further comprises a control unit that processes a time series output by the mass spectrometer for a received sample and identifies one or more agents contained in the sample.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2002
    Publication date: November 11, 2004
    Inventors: Michael P. McLoughlin, William R. Allmon, Charles W. Anderson, Micah A. Carlson, Nicholas H. Evancich, Wayne A. Bryden, Scott A. Ecelberger, James T. Velky, Daniel J. DeCicco, Timothy J. Cornish
  • Publication number: 20040206900
    Abstract: Techniques for simultaneously detecting direct and reflected ions in a time-of-flight tube (120) and a source (110) for generating an ion beam of ions of a sample and introducing the ion beam into a first portion of the flight tube. A reflector (126) reflects ions from the ion beam in a second portion of the flight tube. A plate (140) substantially perpendicular to an axis of the ion beam is located between the first portion of the flight tube and the second portion of the flight tube. The plate has a hole through which some ions in the ion beam may pass from the first portion to the second portion of the flight tube. Each of two opposite faces of the plate includes a set of one or more ion detectors (140). The technique allows rapid, reliable detection of complex agents in a small number of samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2003
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy J Cornish, Scott A Ecelberger
  • Publication number: 20040195501
    Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) and method for increasing the collection efficiency of laser-desorbed ions in a miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) is provided. The method provides a laser pulse generated by an ionization extraction device within the TOF-MS; maintains a sample plate potential at a ground level for a fixed delay period of about 50 ns; and uses a high voltage switch to sharply increase the sample plate potential up to 10 kV/mm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventor: Timothy J Cornish
  • Publication number: 20040118222
    Abstract: A modular aerosol sample detection system is provided comprising a sample collector couplable to an aerial vehicle and provided with at least one retrievable collection sample plate, which controllably rotates to collect aerosol samples on a multiplicity of collection spots arranged in multiple concentric tracks on the collection disk, and a multi-channel TOF removably couplable to the collection sampler to analyze the collected samples.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Frederick P. Gick
  • Patent number: 6614020
    Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) is provided having (1) a gridless, focusing ionization extraction device allowing for the use of very high extraction energies in a maintenance-free design, (2) a miniature flexible circuit-board reflector using rolled flexible circuit-board material, and (3) a low-noise, center-hole microchannel plate detector assembly that significantly reduces the noise (or “ringing”) inherent in the coaxial design. A method is also provided for increasing the collection efficiency of laser-desorbed ions in the TOF-MS. The method includes the steps of providing within the TOF-MS an ionization extraction device having an unobstructed central chamber having a first region and a second region; creating an ion acceleration/extraction field within the first region; accelerating ions within the first region; de-accelerating the ions in the second region; and drifting the ions in a drift region to cause ion dispersion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventor: Timothy J. Cornish
  • Patent number: 6607414
    Abstract: A novel technique utilizing the precision of printed circuit board design and the physical versatility of thin, flexible substrates is disclosed to produce a new type of ion reflector. A precisely defined series of thin conductive strips (traces) are etched onto a flat, flexible circuit board substrate. Preferably, the thin conductive strips are further apart at one end of the substrate and get increasingly closer towards the other end of the substrate. The flexible substrate is then rolled into a tube to form the reflector body, with the conductive strips forming the rings of the ion reflector. The spacing between the traces, and hence the ring spacing, can be readily varied by adjusting the conductor pattern on the substrate sheet during the etching process. By adjusting the spacing between the rings, the characteristics of the field created by the reflectron can be easily customized to the needs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2003
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Harry K. Charles, Paul D. Wienhold
  • Patent number: 6580070
    Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) array instrument is provided. Each TOF-MS of the array instrument includes (1) a gridless, focusing ionization extraction device allowing for the use of very high extraction energies in a maintenance-free design, (2) a fiberglass-clad flexible circuit-board reflector using rolled flexible circuit-board material, and (3) a low-noise, center-hole microchannel plate detector assembly that significantly reduces the noise (or “ringing”) inherent in the coaxial design. The miniature TOF-MS array allows for the bundling of a plurality of mass analyzers, e.g., a plurality of TOF-MSs, into a single array working in parallel fashion to greatly enhance the throughput of each TOF-MS in the array by multiplexing the data collection process. A preferred embodiment of the TOF-MS array instrument incorporates 16 TOF-MS units that are arranged in mirror-image clusters of eight units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2003
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Scott A. Ecelberger
  • Publication number: 20030047679
    Abstract: A method is provided for reducing signal ringing in a microchannel plate detector assembly having a cylindrical mount with a center tube extending through at least a portion of the assembly, in a mass spectrometer including the steps of providing the microchannel plate detector assembly with a pin anode extending from the cylindrical mount and located in proximity to the center tube; holding a front portion of the assembly at ground potential; setting a middle portion of the assembly between the front portion and a rear portion to a first voltage potential for accelerating ions; holding the rear portion of the assembly to a second voltage potential; holding the pin anode at a third voltage potential; and accelerating electrons emitted from the middle portion of the assembly toward the pin anode. The third voltage potential is established by an amplifier of an oscilloscope connected to the detector assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy J Cornish, Scott A Ecelberger
  • Publication number: 20030038234
    Abstract: A miniature time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) is provided having (1) a gridless, focusing ionization extraction device allowing for the use of very high extraction energies in a maintenance-free design, (2) a miniature flexible circuit-board reflector using rolled flexible circuit-board material, and (3) a low-noise, center-hole microchannel plate detector assembly that significantly reduces the noise (or “ringing”) inherent in the coaxial design. A method is also provided for increasing the collection efficiency of laser-desorbed ions in the TOF-MS. The method includes the steps of providing within the TOF-MS an ionization extraction device having an unobstructed central chamber having a first region and a second region; creating an ion acceleration/extraction field within the first region; accelerating ions within the first region; de-accelerating the ions in the second region; and drifting the ions in a drift region to cause ion dispersion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventor: Timothy J. Cornish
  • Publication number: 20030020010
    Abstract: A time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF-MS) array instrument is provided. Each TOF-MS of the array instrument includes (1) a gridless, focusing ionization extraction device allowing for the use of very high extraction energies in a maintenance-free design, (2) a fiberglass-clad flexible circuit-board reflector using rolled flexible circuit-board material, and (3) a low-noise, center-hole microchannel plate detector assembly that significantly reduces the noise (or “ringing”) inherent in the coaxial design. The miniature TOF-MS array allows for the bundling of a plurality of mass analyzers, e.g., a plurality of TOF-MSs, into a single array working in parallel fashion to greatly enhance the throughput of each TOF-MS in the array by multiplexing the data collection process. A preferred embodiment of the TOF-MS array instrument incorporates 16 TOF-MS units that are arranged in mirror-image clusters of eight units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Scott A. Ecelberger
  • Publication number: 20020060289
    Abstract: A novel technique utilizing the precision of printed circuit board design and the physical versatility of thin, flexible substrates is disclosed to produce a new type of ion reflector. A precisely defined series of thin conductive strips (traces) are etched onto a flat, flexible circuit board substrate. Preferably, the thin conductive strips are further apart at one end of the substrate and get increasingly closer towards the other end of the substrate. The flexible substrate is then rolled into a tube to form the reflector body, with the conductive strips forming the rings of the ion reflector. The spacing between the traces, and hence the ring spacing, can be readily varied by adjusting the conductor pattern on the substrate sheet during the etching process. By adjusting the spacing between the rings, the characteristics of the field created by the reflectron can be easily customized to the needs of the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2002
    Publication date: May 23, 2002
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Harry K. Charles, Paul D. Wienhold
  • Patent number: 6369383
    Abstract: A novel technique utilizing the precision of printed circuit board design and the physical versatility of thin, flexible substrates is disclosed to produce a new type of ion reflector. A precisely defined series of thin conductive strips (traces) are etched onto a flat, flexible circuit board substrate. Preferably, the thin conductive strips are further apart at one end of the substrate and get increasingly closer towards the other end of the substrate. The flexible substrate is then rolled into a tube to form the reflector body, with the conductive strips forming the rings of the ion reflector. The spacing between the traces, and hence the ring spacing, can be readily varied by adjusting the conductor pattern on the substrate sheet during the etching process. By adjusting the spacing between the rings, the characteristics of the field created by the reflectron can be easily customized to the needs of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: The John Hopkins University
    Inventors: Timothy J. Cornish, Harry K. Charles, Paul D. Wienhold
  • Patent number: 5814813
    Abstract: A reflectron for use with a mass spectrometer that focuses ions having different energies contains a conductive end cap that is electrically connected to a first voltage. A conductive surface is electrically isolated from the end cap and connected to a second voltage. This conductive surface cooperates with the conductive end cap to establish an inner region in which a non-linear electric field exists. As a result, ions having different energies enter and exit the inner region at a common opening and, when within the inner region, are reflected without penetrating past the conductive surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: The Johns Hopkins University
    Inventors: Robert J. Cotter, Timothy J. Cornish