Apparatus and method for field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry combined with mass spectrometry
OwnerMelvin A. Parkinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
In a system for analyzing samples by mass spectrometry, analyte ions are analyzed first by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) before being analyzed by a mass analyzer. The analyte ions are produced in an ion source operating at near atmospheric pressure and transferred via a dielectric capillary into the vacuum system of the mass analyzer. While passing through the capillary, the ions are analyzed by FAIMS via electrodes on the interior wall of the capillary.
Claims21
Apparatus for analyzing a sample by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry in combination with mass spectrometry comprising:
- a capillary with a channel therethrough having an inner surface and extending from an ion production region at a first pressure to a second pressure region within a mass spectrometer so that gas flows in a direction between the ion production region and the second pressure region;
- at least one pair of electrodes positioned on opposite sides of the channel and composing at least part of the inner surface;
- and
- electronics for applying an asymmetric AC FAIMS waveform between said electrodes to create an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the gas flow direction that analyses the sample.
A method for analyzing a sample by field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry in combination with mass spectrometry comprising:
- (a) providing a capillary with a channel therethrough having an inner surface and extending from an ion production region at a first pressure to a second pressure region within a mass spectrometer so that gas flows in a direction between the ion production region and the second pressure region;
- (b) positioning at least one pair of electrodes on opposite sides of the channel and composing at least part of the inner surface;
- and
- (c) applying an asymmetric AC FAIMS waveform between the electrodes to create an electric field in a direction perpendicular to the gas flow direction that analyzes the sample.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.