# US 10,309,929 B2 · Practical ion mobility spectrometer apparatus and methods for chemical and/or biological detection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,309,929 B2 - Document ID: US10309929B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/055,038 - Filed: 2018-08-04 - Published: 2018-12-27 - Granted: 2019-06-04 - Earliest claimed: 2007-11-28 - Assignees: Excellims Corporation - Applicants: Ching Wu - Inventors: Ching Wu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10309929B2 ## CPC - G01N 27/622: Ion mobility spectrometry - H01J 49/004: {Combinations of spectrometers, tandem spectrometers, e.g. MS/MS, MSn} - H01J 49/0468: {with means for heating or cooling the sample} - H01J 49/062: {Ion guides (linear ion traps performing mass selection H01J49/4225, mass filters H01J49/421)} - H01J 49/0031: {Step by step routines describing the use of the apparatus (H01J49/0081 takes precedence)} - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) ## Abstract The present invention relates to drift tubes for ion mobility spectrometers. In one embodiment, the drift tube of the present invention uses a simplified design having helical resistive material to form substantially constant electric fields that guide ion movements. The drift tube for ion mobility spectrometers described herein is constructed with a non-conductive structure. This configuration provides a robust ion mobility spectrometer that is simple to build. One feature of the present invention is that the drift tube design described herein enables the ion mobility spectrometer to be built with a lower weight, lower power consumption, lower manufacturing cost, and free of sealants. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A drift tube for an ion mobility spectrometer comprising: a) at least one dielectric structure component of the drift tube; and b) at least one ion guide electrode that is affixed on the dielectric structure or structures, wherein the ion guide electrode or electrodes are arranged in a helical shape around a drift axis of the drift tube, or a serpentine shape. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, wherein the dielectric structure is made of aluminum nitride, beryllium oxide, fused silica, quartz, or alumina, having a shape of a flat plate, a curved plate, a round tube, a half round tube, a square tube, or a rectangular tube. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, wherein the dielectric structure has at least one substantially flat substrate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, further comprises at least one electrical conductive leading contact in connection with the ion guiding electrodes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, further comprises at least one heating element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The drift tube of claim 5, wherein the heating element is mounted and/or affixed to the dielectric structure. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The drift tube of claim 5, wherein the heating element is located on the other side of the dielectric material from the ion guide electrodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The drift tube of claim 5, wherein the heating element is adjacent to the dielectric structure and in contact with the dielectric structure. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, wherein the ion guide electrode is made of conductive or resistive material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The drift tube of claim 9, wherein the ion guide electrode is made of conductive material and is affixed on a cylindrical shape dielectric structure. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The drift tube of claim 9, wherein the ion guide electrode is made of resistive material and is affixed on a cylindrical shape dielectric structure. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The drift tube of claim 11, wherein the ion guide electrode has a helical shape. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The drift tube of claim 11, wherein the ion guide electrode has a serpentine shape. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The drift tube of claim 9, wherein the ion guide electrode is made of resistive material and is affixed on a flat dielectric structure. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The drift tube of claim 14, wherein the ion guide electrode has a serpentine pattern. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The drift tube of claim 9, wherein the resistivity of the resistive material is optimized to generate the desired electric field strength that guides ions. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The drift tube of claim 9, wherein the resistive material of the electrode is the same or different for a reaction region and a drift region of the drift tube. ### Claim 18 (depends on 3) The drift tube of claim 3, wherein the flat substrate has at least one electrode that has a serpentine pattern. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, wherein the ion guide electrode functions as an electric field barrier to guard a drift region and/or a reaction region of the drift tube. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The drift tube of claim 1, wherein the pitch of the electrode is optimized to shield a drift region and/or a reaction region of the drift tube from outside electric fields; where the pitch in the reaction region is the same or different from the pitch in the drift region.