Method and apparatus for mass analysis of samples

• US 7,533,587 B2
• Filed: 06/25/2007
• Issued: 05/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: UOP Llc (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Plassen, Martin, Akporiaye, Duncan E., Fismen, Britta G., Gulliksen, Morten, Wang, Dag T., Wendelbo, Rune, Karlsson, Arne, Johansen, Ib-Rune, Dahl, Ivar M., Blom, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Gordon; Brian R.
• Application Number:
  US11/767,603
• Publication Number:
  US 20070245840A1
• Time in Patent Office: 694 Days
• Field of Search: 422 99-100, 422/102, 422/50, 422/104, 422/68.1, 436173-174, 436/180, 436/164, 436/166, 436/148, 738/65, 737/60, 737/72
• US Class Current: 73/865
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 35/028 having reaction cells in the form of microtitration plates
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 5/02 by absorbing or adsorbing components of a material and determining change of weight of the adsorbent, e.g. determining moisture content absorption bulbs B01D53/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/24 Nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance or other spin effects or mass spectrometry
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/25 including sample preparation

Abstract

The present invention comprises an apparatus and a method for mass analyses of an array of samples contained in distinct sample holders. The sample holders are placed on a plurality of sensors which preferably comprise an array of microbalances providing output signals comprising mass data on the array of samples.

Claims

1. An apparatus for mass analysis of each of an array of samples comprising an array of distinct sample holder baskets containing the samples and a plurality of sensors, wherein each sample holder basket is suspended from a corresponding sensor, the plurality of sensors providing output signals comprising mass data on the array of samples contained in the sample holder baskets.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the plurality of sensors comprises an array of microbalances.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the array of microbalances comprises an array of spring scales.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 further comprising a frame prepared by micro-machining a single sheet of material wherein the array of spring scales is integral with the frame.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of the spring scales comprises a load platform suspended by one or more flexural springs each having a bridge-connected strain gauge arranged for measuring strain on one side of each of the one or more flexural springs.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each of said strain gauges is a piezo-resistive resistor.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the array of sample holder baskets are transferable to and from the sensors.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a compound alternating-current signal generator and filter with a lock-in amplifier for detection of a deflection signal at an encoding frequency.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the basket is suspended from the sensor by a fastener.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the fastener is selected from the group consisting of a wire, hook, loop, ring, clasp, and clip.

11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the array microbalances comprise an array of cantilevers.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the cantilevers comprises strain gauges.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the strain gauges are piezoresistors.