Interfaces for a photoionization mass spectrometer
First Claim
1. A detector system, comprising:
- a photoionizer;
a first inlet port coupled to said photoionizer;
a second inlet port coupled to said photoionzer; and
, a detector coupled to said photoionier.
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Abstract
A detector system that contains two inlet port coupled to a photoionization chamber. One inlet port allows for the introduction of a test sample. The test sample may contain contaminants, drugs, explosive, etc. that are to be detected. The other port allows for the simultaneous introduction of a standard sample. The standard sample can be used to calibrate and/or diagnose the detector system. Simultaneous introduction of the standard sample provides for real time calibration/diagnostics of the detector during detection of trace molecules in the test sample. The photoizonizer ionizes the samples which are then directed into a mass detector for detection of trace molecules. The detector system may also include inlet embodiments that allow for vaporization of liquid samples introduced to a low pressure photoionizer.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A detector system, comprising:
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a photoionizer;
a first inlet port coupled to said photoionizer;
a second inlet port coupled to said photoionzer; and
,a detector coupled to said photoionier. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A detector system, comprising:
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a photoionizer;
first port means for introducing a test sample to said photoionizer;
second port means for introducing a standard sample to said photoionzer; and
,a detector coupled to said photoionier. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A method for detecting a trace molecule in a sample, comprising:
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introducing a test sample to a photoionization chamber through a first inlet port;
continuously introducing a standard sample into the photoionization chamber through a second inlet port;
photoionizing the test and standard samples;
detecting the trace molecule. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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25. A detector, comprising:
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a first ionization chamber that operates at approximately atmospheric pressure;
an ionizier coupled to said first ionization chamber;
a second ionization chamber that is coupled to said first ionization chamber and operates at a pressure significantly less than atmospheric;
a photoionizer coupled said second ionization chamber; and
,a detector coupled to said second ionization chamber. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28)
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29. A detector, comprising:
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a first ionization chamber that operates at approximately atmospheric pressure and contains a sample with a trace molecule;
first ionizier means for ionizing the sample;
a second ionization chamber that is coupled to said first ionization chamber and operates at a pressure significantly less than atmospheric;
transfer means for transferring the sample from the first ionization chamber to said second ionization chamber;
second ionizer means for ionizing the sample within said second ionization chamber; and
,detector means for detecting the trace molecule. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32)
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33. A method for detecting a trace molecule within a sample, comprising:
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ionizing the trace sample within a first ionization chamber at approximately atmospheric pressure;
transferring the ionized trace sample to a second ionization chamber that has a pressure significantly lower than atmospheric pressure;
ionizing the trace sample within the second ionization chamber; and
,detecting the trace molecule. - View Dependent Claims (34)
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35. A detector, comprising:
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an ionization chamber;
a nebulizer inlet port coupled to said ionization chamber, said nebulizer inlet port including;
a housing with an inner channel;
a gas co-flow port coupled to said inner channel;
an inlet coupled to said inner channel;
a restrictor located within said inner channel;
a detector coupled to said ionization chamber. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A detector, comprising:
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an ionization chamber;
a nebulizer inlet port coupled to said ionization chamber, said nebulizer inlet port including;
a housing with an inner channel;
gas co-flow means for introducing a flow of gas into said inner channel;
inlet means for introducing a liquid sample into said inner channel;
mixing means for inducing a mixing of the gas and liquid sample;
a detector coupled to said ionization chamber. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44)
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45. A method for nebulizing a sample that is introduced into an ionization chamber of a detector, comprising:
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introducing a sample into an inner channel;
introducing a flow of gas into the inner channel; and
,restricting flow through the inner channel. - View Dependent Claims (46)
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47. A syringe used to introduced a sample into a detector, comprising:
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a needle;
a tube connected to said needle, said tube containing a sample located between a volume of air and a solvent slug.
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48. A method to introduce a sample into a detector, comprising:
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inserting a syringe into an inlet of a detector, the syringe containing a sample located between a volume of air and a solvent slug;
depressing the syringe to inject the sample, the air and the solvent slug into the detector.
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Specification