Methods and apparatus for external accumulation and photodissociation of ions prior to mass spectrometric analysis
AssigneeIsis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
InventorsRichard Griffey, Steven Hofstadler
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Abstract
The present invention discloses novel methods and apparatuses for mass spectrometry. In the methods and apparatuses of the invention, ions are accumulated in an ion reservoir and dissociated with coherent radiation prior to mass analysis. These methods and apparatuses are amenable to mass spectrometric analysis of biomolecules and are particularly useful for the sequencing of oligonucleotides, peptides and oligosaccharides.
Claims27
A method of inducing dissociation of molecular ions prior to analysis in a mass analyzer of a mass spectrometer, comprising the steps of:
- a) generating said molecular ions by ionization;
- b) accumulating said ions in an ion reservoir;
- and
- c) exposing said ions in said ion reservoir to coherent radiation to dissociate said ions prior to mass analysis in a mass analyzer of a mass spectrometer.
An apparatus for dissociation of ions in mass spectrometry comprising:
- a) an ion reservoir for receiving and accumulating ions produced from an ion source;
- and
- b) a coherent radiation source in operative association with said ion reservoir and which emits coherent radiation to dissociate ions within said ion reservoir prior to analysis in a mass analyzer of a mass spectrometer.
A mass spectrometer comprising:
- a) ion source;
- b) ion reservoir;
- c) first conduit connecting said ion source to said ion reservoir for transporting ions from said ion source to said ion reservoir;
- d) coherent radiation source in operative association with said ion reservoir which emits coherent radiation to dissociate ions within said ion reservoir;
- e) mass analyzer;
- and
- f) second conduit connecting said ion reservoir to said mass analyzer for transporting ions between said ion reservoir and said mass analyzer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.