Ion mobility system comprising two ims cells operated at different polarities
AssigneeSmiths Detection-Watford Limited
InventorPaul Wynn
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Abstract
An ion mobility spectrometer system includes two cells (1) and (2) driven by a drive unit (12) so that the cells operate at opposite polarities and are switched between different polarities either at regular intervals or in response to detection of a substance in one cell. Two reagents are supplied to both cells (1) and (2), one promoting detection of a substance in the positive mode and the other promoting detection of a substance in the negative mode so that there is no need to switch reagents when the polarity changes.
Claims12
An ion mobility spectrometer system including a first and second IMS cell, each cell having an inlet by which a vapor or gas to be analyzed is supplied to the cells, a driver operable to drive the first and second cells at opposite polarities such that the first and second cells are responsive to respective first and second substances different from one another, wherein the driver is operable to switch the polarity of at least the first cell so that it is responsive to a substance different from the first substance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.