SAMPLE ANALYSIS SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

• US 20190006167A1
• Filed: 08/14/2018
• Published: 01/03/2019
• 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
• Granted Patent: US 10,720,316 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• 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

1-21. -21. (canceled)

22. A system for manipulating a sample, the system comprising:

an ion generator configured to generate ions from a sample;

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

an ion focusing element that focuses the separated ions from the ion separator at or above atmospheric pressure.

23. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a substrate positioned to the receive the focused separated ions at one or more discrete locations on the substrate.

24. The system according to claim 22, further comprising a detector that receives and detects the focused separated ions.

25. The system according to claim 24, wherein the ion generator comprises:

an ionization source; and

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

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the ionization source is out-of-line with the detector.

27. The system according to claim 25, wherein the ion injector is maintained at or above atmospheric pressure.

28. The system according to claim 25, wherein the ion injector comprises a cavity and one or more wire meshes that receive the ions produced by the ionization source.

29. The system according to claim 25, wherein the ion injector receive the ions produced by the ionization source and transmits them as a focused beam to the ion separator.

32. A method for manipulating sample ions, the method comprising:

generating ions from a sample at or above atmospheric pressure;

separating the ions at or above atmospheric pressure without use of laminar flowing gas; and

focusing the separated ions at or above atmospheric pressure, thereby manipulating the sample ions.

33. The method according to claim 32, further comprising depositing the focused separated ions at one or more discrete locations on a substrate.

34. The method according to claim 32, further comprising detecting the focused separated ions.

35. The method according to claim 34, wherein the detecting step is at or above atmospheric pressure.

36. The method according to claim 34, wherein the detecting step is below atmospheric pressure.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein detecting comprises receiving the ions into a mass spectrometer or a miniature mass spectrometer.

38. The method according to claim 32, wherein the separating step comprises transferring the ions into an ion separator that comprises a chamber and a plurality of electrodes that are configured such that upon application of voltage to the electrodes, the ions are separated as they travel through the chamber.

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

generating ions at or above atmospheric pressure;

separating the ions at or above atmospheric pressure without use of laminar flowing gas;

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.

40. The method according to claim 39, wherein prior to the depositing step, the method further comprises detecting the reaction product.

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein detecting comprises receiving the reaction product into a mass spectrometer or a miniature mass spectrometer.