Composite membrane and support assembly
AssigneeLeybold Inficon, Inc.
InventorFrancis M. Wampler, III
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
For treating a fluid sample for introduction to a mass spectrometer or other appropriate use, a composite membrane and support assembly allows analytes from a sample flow to permeate through a membrane free from the undesired background matrix. The composite membrane and support assembly comprises a semipermeable membrane, a fiber member for supporting the membrane, and a rigid perforated member for supporting the membrane and the fiber support.
Claims51
A composite membrane and support assembly, comprising:
- a semipermeable membrane;
- a fiber member for supporting the semipermeable membrane, and;
- a rigid perforated member for supporting the semipermeable membrane and the fiber member.
A method for obtaining analytes from an analyte-containing fluid sample, comprising the steps of:
- exposing the analyte-containing fluid sample to a first side of a composite membrane and support assembly comprising a semipermeable membrane, a fiber member supporting the semipermeable membrane, and a rigid perforated member supporting said semipermeable membrane and said fiber support;
- and
- accepting analytes that have permeated through the semipermeable membrane, the fiber member, and the rigid perforated member, from a second side of the composite membrane and support assembly.
An analyte introducing device for allowing analytes from a fluid sample to be introduced to an ion source chamber of a mass spectrometer, comprising:
- a composite membrane and support assembly comprising a semipermeable membrane, a fiber member for supporting the semipermeable membrane, and a rigid perforated member for supporting the semipermeable membrane and the fiber member;
- a passage through which the fluid sample can flow past a first side of the composite membrane and support assembly;
- and
- a valve for alternately isolating a second side of the composite membrane and support assembly from, and exposing the second side of the composite membrane and support assembly to, a vacuum filled transfer passage.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.