Sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof

• US 10,720,316 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2018
• Issued: 07/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (The Trustees of Purdue University (d/b/a Purdue University))
• Original Assignee: Purdue Research Foundation (The Trustees of Purdue University (d/b/a Purdue University))
• Inventors: Cooks, Robert Graham, Baird, Zane, Wei, Pu
• Primary Examiner(s): McCormack, Jason L
• Application Number:
  US16/103,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20190006167A1
• Time in Patent Office: 707 Days
• Field of Search: 250281, 250282, 250283, 250288
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/622 Ion mobility spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 27/623 combined with mass spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 27/024 Extraction optics, e.g. grids
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/0013 Miniaturised spectrometers, e.g. having smaller than usual scale, integrated conventional components
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/061 Ion deflecting means, e.g. ion gates
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/142 using a solid target which is not previously vapourised
• CPC Class Codes: H01J 49/24 Vacuum systems, e.g. maintaining desired pressures

Abstract

The invention generally relates to sample analysis systems and methods of use thereof. In certain aspects, the invention provides a system for analyzing a sample that includes an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample. The system additionally includes an ion separator configured to separate at or above atmospheric pressure the ions received from the ion generator without use of laminar flowing gas, and a detector that receives and detects the separated ions.

Claims

1. A method for producing a reaction product, the method comprising:

generating ions at or above atmospheric pressure;

separating in an ion separator the ions at or above atmospheric pressure without use of laminar flowing gas, wherein the ions are separated from each other as they move through the ion separator to produce separated ions;

introducing neutral molecules to the separated ions;

reacting a portion of the separated ions with the neutral molecules to produce a reaction product;

focusing the reaction product at or above atmospheric pressure; and

depositing the focused reaction product at one or more discrete locations on a substrate.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein prior to the depositing step, the method further comprises detecting the reaction product.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein detecting comprises receiving the reaction product into a mass spectrometer or a miniature mass spectrometer.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein generating ions is accomplished with an ion generator that comprises:

an ionization source; and

an ion injector configured to interface with the ionization source and the ion separator such that ions produced by the ionization source are received by the ion injector and introduced into the ion separator.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the ion injector is maintained at or above atmospheric pressure.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the ion injector comprises a cavity and one or more wire meshes that receive the ions produced by the ionization source.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the ion injector receive the ions produced by the ionization source and transmits them as a focused beam to the ion separator.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the ion separator comprises a chamber and a plurality of electrodes that are configured such that upon application of voltage to the electrodes, ions received from the ion injector are separated as they travel through the chamber.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of electrodes are first, second, and third curved electrodes.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the third curved electrode comprises an opening in a side wall of the third electrode.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein the neutral molecules are introduced to the separated ions via the opening in the side wall of the third electrode.