# US 10,504,709 B2 · Liquid trap or separator for electrosurgical applications

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- Number: US 10,504,709 B2
- Document ID: US10504709B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 15/554,626
- Filed: 2016-03-07
- Published: 2018-08-23
- Granted: 2019-12-10
- Earliest claimed: 2015-03-06
- Assignees: Micromass UK Limited
- Applicants: Micromass UK Limited
- Inventors: Tamas Karancsi; Lajos Godorhazy; Daniel Szalay; Zoltan Takats; Julia Balog; Steven Derek Pringle; Daniel Simon
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10504709B2

## CPC

- H01J 49/049: {with means for applying heat to desorb the sample; Evaporation}
- A61B 1/041: {Capsule endoscopes for imaging}
- A61B 1/2736: {Gastroscopes}
- A61B 5/0066: {Optical coherence imaging}
- A61B 5/0075: {by spectroscopy, i.e. measuring spectra, e.g. Raman spectroscopy, infrared absorption spectroscopy (A61B5/0071 takes precedence)}
- A61B 5/015: {By temperature mapping of body part}
- A61B 5/055: involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
- A61B 5/0507: using microwaves or terahertz waves
- A61B 6/032: {Transmission computed tomography [CT]}
- A61B 6/037: {Emission tomography}
- A61B 8/13: Tomography (A61B8/10, A61B8/12 take precedence)
- A61B 10/00: Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposes (for taking samples of blood A61B5/15); Other methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determination; Throat striking implements
- A61B 10/0041: {Detection of breast cancer (mammography by transillumination A61B5/0091, by X-rays A61B6/502, by ultrasonic means A61B8/0825)}
- A61B 10/0233: {Pointed or sharp biopsy instruments}
- A61B 10/0283: {with vacuum aspiration, e.g. caused by retractable plunger or by connected syringe (A61B10/025, A61B10/0266 take precedence)}
- A61B 17/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods (A61B18/00 takes precedence; dental tools A61C3/00; eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/20)
- A61B 17/320068: {using mechanical vibrations, e.g. ultrasonic (A61B17/22012 takes precedence; dental tooth drilling devices operated by vibration A61C3/03; removing intra-ocular material using mechanical vibrations A61F9/00745)}
- A61B 18/00: Surgical instruments, devices or methods for transferring non-mechanical forms of energy to or from the body (eye surgery A61F9/007; ear surgery A61F11/00)
- A61B 18/04: by heating (by applying electromagnetic radiation A61B18/18)
- A61B 18/042: {using additional gas becoming plasma}
- A61B 18/14: Probes or electrodes therefor
- A61B 18/1445: {at the distal end of a shaft, e.g. forceps or scissors at the end of a rigid rod}
- A61B 18/1815: {using microwaves}
- A61B 18/20: using laser
- A61B 90/13: guided by light, e.g. laser pointers
- A61F 13/38: Swabs having a stick-type handle {, e.g. cotton tips} (A61M35/006 takes precedence)
- C12Q 1/025: {for testing or evaluating the effect of chemical or biological compounds, e.g. drugs, cosmetics (antimicrobial activity C12Q1/18)}
- C12Q 1/04: Determining presence or kind of microorganism; Use of selective media for testing antibiotics or bacteriocides; Compositions containing a chemical indicator therefor {(C12Q1/6897 takes precedence)}
- C12Q 1/18: Testing for antimicrobial activity of a material
- C12Q 1/24: Methods of sampling, or inoculating or spreading a sample; Methods of physically isolating an intact microorganisms
- G01N 1/2202: {involving separation of sample components during sampling}
- G01N 3/00: Investigating strength properties of solid materials by application of mechanical stress
- G01N 9/00: Investigating density or specific gravity of materials; Analysing materials by determining density or specific gravity
- G01N 27/622: Ion mobility spectrometry
- G01N 27/624: Differential mobility spectrometry [DMS]; Field asymmetric-waveform ion mobility spectrometry [FAIMS]
- G01N 30/724: {Nebulising, aerosol formation or ionisation (spraying or atomising in general B05B)}
- G01N 33/487: of liquid biological material
- G01N 33/6848: {Methods of protein analysis involving mass spectrometry}
- G01N 33/6851: {Methods of protein analysis involving laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry}
- G01N 33/92: involving lipids, e.g. cholesterol {, lipoproteins, or their receptors (steroid hormones G01N33/743)}
- H01J 49/0004: {Imaging particle spectrometry}
- H01J 49/0027: {Methods for using particle spectrometers}
- H01J 49/0031: {Step by step routines describing the use of the apparatus (H01J49/0081 takes precedence)}
- H01J 49/0036: {Step by step routines describing the handling of the data generated during a measurement}
- H01J 49/025: {Detectors specially adapted to particle spectrometers (data acquisition H01J49/0036; detectors per se G01T, e.g. G01T1/28, G01T1/29)}
- H01J 49/0404: {Capillaries used for transferring samples or ions (electrospray nozzles H01J49/167)}
- H01J 49/044: {with means for preventing droplets from entering the analyzer; Desolvation of droplets}
- H01J 49/0409: {Sample holders or containers (containers for retaining a material to be analyzed, B01L3/50, for DNA, C12Q1/6834, for biological materials, G01N33/543)}
- H01J 49/0422: {for gaseous samples (interfaces to gas chromatographs G01N30/7206)}
- H01J 49/0445: {with means for introducing as a spray, a jet or an aerosol (electrospray ion sources H01J49/165)}
- H01J 49/0459: {for solid samples}
- H01J 49/0463: {Desorption by laser or particle beam, followed by ionisation as a separate step (sample holder per se H01J49/0418)}
- H01J 49/0468: {with means for heating or cooling the sample}
- H01J 49/061: {Ion deflecting means, e.g. ion gates}
- H01J 49/068: {Mounting, supporting, spacing, or insulating electrodes}
- H01J 49/10: Ion sources; Ion guns
- H01J 49/14: using particle bombardment, e.g. ionisation chambers
- H01J 49/16: using surface ionisation, e.g. field-, thermionic- or photo-emission
- H01J 49/164: {Laser desorption/ionisation, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI] (sample holders H01J49/0418)}
- H01J 49/24: Vacuum systems, e.g. maintaining desired pressures
- H01J 49/26: Mass spectrometers or separator tubes
- A61B 1/00013: {using optical means}
- A61B 1/31: for the rectum, e.g. proctoscopes or sigmoidoscopes
- A61B 5/14542: {for measuring blood gases (A61B5/14551 takes precedence)}
- A61B 2010/0083: {for taking gas samples}
- A61B 2017/320069: {for ablating tissue}
- A61B 2018/00577: {Ablation}
- A61B 2018/00589: {Coagulation}
- A61B 2018/00994: {combining two or more different kinds of non-mechanical energy or combining one or more non-mechanical energies with ultrasound}
- A61B 2218/002: Irrigation
- A61B 2218/008: for smoke evacuation
- G01N 33/48735: {Investigating suspensions of cells, e.g. measuring microbe concentration (by chemical means C12Q1/04; colony counters C12M1/34; concentration of particle suspensions in general G01N15/06)}
- G01N 2001/2223: {aerosol sampling devices}
- G01N 2333/195: from bacteria
- G01N 2405/00: Assays, e.g. immunoassays or enzyme assays, involving lipids
- G01N 2405/04: Phospholipids, i.e. phosphoglycerides
- G01N 2405/08: Sphingolipids
- G01N 2570/00: Omics, e.g. proteomics, glycomics or lipidomics; Methods of analysis focusing on the entire complement of classes of biological molecules or subsets thereof, i.e. focusing on proteomes, glycomes or lipidomes
- G01N 2800/26: Infectious diseases, e.g. generalised sepsis
- G06F 19/324
- G06F 19/3481
- G16B 20/00: ICT specially adapted for functional genomics or proteomics, e.g. genotype-phenotype associations
- G16H 10/40: for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
- G16H 15/00: ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
- G16H 50/20: for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- C12Q: MEASURING OR TESTING PROCESSES INVOLVING ENZYMES, NUCLEIC ACIDS OR MICROORGANISMS (immunoassay G01N33/53); COMPOSITIONS OR TEST PAPERS THEREFOR; PROCESSES OF PREPARING SUCH COMPOSITIONS; CONDITION-RESPONSIVE CONTROL IN MICROBIOLOGICAL OR ENZYMOLOGICAL PROCESSES
- 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)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G16B: BIOINFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR GENETIC OR PROTEIN-RELATED DATA PROCESSING IN COMPUTATIONAL MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
- G16H: HEALTHCARE INFORMATICS, i.e. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR THE HANDLING OR PROCESSING OF MEDICAL OR HEALTHCARE DATA

## Abstract

An apparatus for mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed comprising a first device arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapor from a target and one or more second devices arranged and adapted to aspirate aerosol, smoke, vapor and/or liquid to or towards an analyzer. A liquid trap or separator is provided to capture and/or discard liquid aspirated by the one or more second devices.

## Claims

### Claim 1

Apparatus for mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry comprising:
a first device arranged and adapted to generate aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target;
a mass and/or ion mobility analyser;
one or more second devices arranged and adapted to aspirate aerosol, smoke or vapour and/or liquid to or towards the analyser; and
a liquid trap or separator located between said first device and said mass and/or ion mobility analyser, wherein said liquid trap or separator comprises a liquid collector or drain and a liquid detector arranged and adapted to detect aspirated liquid, wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted to capture and/or discard liquid aspirated by said one or more second devices and wherein said liquid trap or separator is further arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted to divert at least some of said liquid to said liquid collector or drain.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an endoscopic probe, wherein said first device comprises or forms part of said endoscopic probe and wherein said first device is arranged and adapted to be deployed through a port in said endoscopic probe.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first device comprises or forms part of an ambient ion or ionisation source or wherein said first device generates said aerosol, smoke or vapour for subsequent ionisation by an ambient ion or ionisation source or other ionisation source.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in any of claim 1, wherein said first device comprises a laser for irradiating said target.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first device comprises an ion source selected from the group consisting of: (i) a rapid evaporative ionisation mass spectrometry (“REIMS”) ion source; (ii) a desorption electrospray ionisation (“DESI”) ion source; (iii) a laser desorption ionisation (“LDI”) ion source; (iv) a thermal desorption ion source; (v) a laser diode thermal desorption (“LDTD”) ion source; (vi) a desorption electro-flow focusing (“DEFFI”) ion source; (vii) a dielectric barrier discharge (“DBD”) plasma ion source; (viii) an Atmospheric Solids Analysis Probe (“ASAP”) ion source; (ix) an ultrasonic assisted spray ionisation ion source; (x) an easy ambient sonic-spray ionisation (“EASI”) ion source; (xi) a desorption atmospheric pressure photoionisation (“DAPPI”) ion source; (xii) a paperspray (“PS”) ion source; (xiii) a jet desorption ionisation (“JeDI”) ion source; (xiv) a touch spray (“TS”) ion source; (xv) a nano-DESI ion source; (xvi) a laser ablation electrospray (“LAEST”) ion source; (xvii) a direct analysis in real time (“DART”) ion source; (xviii) a probe electrospray ionisation (“PEST”) ion source; (xix) a solid-probe assisted electrospray ionisation (“SPA-EST”) ion source; (xx) a cavitron ultrasonic surgical aspirator (“CUSA”) device; (xxi) a focussed or unfocussed ultrasonic ablation device; (xxii) a microwave resonance device; and (xxiii) a pulsed plasma RF dissection device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said liquid trap or separator is further arranged and adapted to capture and/or discard at least some of said liquid.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid detector comprises an optical transmission detector, an optical reflection detector, an ultrasonic transmission detector, an ultrasonic reflectance detector and/or an electrical detector.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid trap or separator comprises one or more porous and/or absorbent materials arranged and adapted to absorb and/or capture and/or discard aspirated liquid.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid trap or separator comprises a centrifugal liquid separator.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid trap or separator comprises a sealed chamber comprising an inlet, and wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that in use said aerosol, smoke or vapour and/or liquid is introduced into said chamber through said inlet, wherein said sealed chamber further comprises an outlet, and wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that in use aerosol, smoke and/or vapour can leave said chamber through said outlet substantially without liquid leaving said chamber.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein in use an exit of said inlet is located below an entrance of said outlet.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a device which is arranged and adapted to generate feedback and/or an alarm and/or an alert to a user of said apparatus when said liquid trap or separator contains liquid at or close to a maximum level.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a device which is arranged and adapted to reduce or stop electrical power to or otherwise disable said apparatus in the event that said liquid trap or separator contains liquid at or close to a maximum level.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer comprising apparatus as claimed in claim 1.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said liquid trap or separator diverts at least some of said aspirated liquid to said liquid collector or drain so as to prevent at least some of said aspirated liquid from reaching said mass and/or ion mobility analyser.

### Claim 16 (depends on 10)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said liquid trap or separator diverts at least some of said aspirated liquid through said inlet to said sealed chamber.

### Claim 17 (depends on 10)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said liquid trap or separator diverts at least some of said aspirated liquid through said inlet to said sealed chamber, and wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that said aerosol, smoke and/or vapour can leave said sealed chamber through said outlet substantially without said aspirated liquid leaving said sealed chamber.

### Claim 18 (depends on 1)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said liquid trap or separator comprises an inlet selector valve and an outlet selector valve, and wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said inlet selector valve and said outlet selector valve are controlled so that said aspirated liquid is diverted to said liquid collector or drain.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

Apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein said liquid trap or separator is arranged and adapted such that when said liquid detector detects aerosol, smoke or vapour then said inlet selector valve and said outlet selector valve are reset so that said aerosol, smoke or vapour flows into said mass and/or ion mobility analyser.

### Claim 20

A method of mass spectrometry and/or ion mobility spectrometry comprising:
generating aerosol, smoke or vapour from a target using a first device;
aspirating aerosol, smoke or vapour and/or liquid to or towards a mass and/or ion mobility analyser; and
capturing and/or discarding aspirated liquid using a liquid trap or separator located between said first device and said mass and/or ion mobility analyser, wherein said liquid trap or separator comprises a liquid collector or drain and a liquid detector, and wherein when said liquid detector detects aspirated liquid then said liquid trap or separator diverts at least some of said liquid to said liquid collector or drain.