Micromass UK Limited

Micromass UK Limied

Miromass UK Limited

Robert Harold Bateman

Jeff Brown

Daniel James Kenny

Martin Raymond Green

Jason Lee Wildgoose

David Gordon

David John Langridge

Kevin Giles

Steven Derek Pringle

Richard Barrington Moulds

Jeffery Mark Brown

Paul Robert Murray

Keith George Richardson

Kate Whyatt

Ian David Trivett

Stephen O'Brien

Stevan Bajic

Stanislaw Koziol

Alastair Murray Booth

Anthony Hesse

Howard Read

Christopher John Hughes

Therese McKenna

John Richard Garside

Jeffrey Ellis Lockett

Steve D Trudeau

Mark Walford

Stephen Ayrton

John Brian Hoyes

Joseph A Jarrell

Kenneth Russell Worthington

Jakub Ujma

Alexander Hooper

David Jonathan Pugh

Darren Hewitt

Eleanor Riches

Martin Palmer

Kevil Giles

Therese Mckenna

David Pugh

Martin Green

Thérèse Mckenna

A method of selecting ions comprises selecting ions corresponding to a target ion of interest by separating analyte ions according to their ion mobility, isolating first ions of the analyte ions, separating the first ions according to their ion mobility, and isolating second ions of the first ions. Preferably, the separation is accomplished by using a cyclic or closed-loop separator.

Method of selecting ions by ion mobility separation and isolation of ions

A method of mass spectrometry is disclosed comprising: a step () of analysing a reference compound in a first mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; a step () of analysing the reference compound in a second, different mass spectrometer and outputting mass spectral data in response thereto; and a step () of automatically adjusting an operational parameter, duty cycle (e.g. duty cycle of data acquisition), or acquired spectral data of at least one mass spectrometer such that, for the same (given) consumption of reference compound by the spectrometer, the statistical precision of quantification (the number of detected ions) and/or of mass measurement (the mass resolution) by the mass spectrometer is substantially the same as that of the other mass spectrometer. A similar method of ion mobility spectrometry is disclosed.

Automatically standardising spectrometers

A nebuliser outlet comprises an inlet end and an outlet end, a first channel and one or more second channels arranged between the inlet end and the outlet end. The first channel is configured to receive a capillary, and the one or more second channels are configured to pass gas to the outlet end. The nebuliser outlet is a single integrated component.

Nebuliser outlet

A dual-mode ion detector for a mass and/or ion mobility spectrometer comprising a first conversion electrode () that is maintained, in use, at a negative potential and arranged for converting incident positive ions () into secondary electrons (), and a second conversion electrode () that is maintained, in use, at a positive potential and arranged for converting incident negative ions () into secondary positive ions () and/or secondary electrons (). The detector also comprises an electron detecting surface () and an entrance electrode () for drawing ions into the ion detector. The ion detector is switchable between a first mode for detecting positive ions and a second mode for detecting negative ions.

Ion detector

A method of filtering ions according to their ion mobility using a device is disclosed, the method comprising a plurality of electrodes and one or more voltage source(s) arranged and adapted to apply voltages to the plurality of electrodes, the method comprising, generating using the one or more voltage source(s) one or more local separation region(s), wherein ions can be separated within each local separation region according to their ion mobility, and moving each local separation region axially along the device with a certain velocity such that, for each local separation region, ions having a value of their ion mobility falling within a selected range are transmitted axially along the device with that local separation region whereas ions having higher and/or lower ion mobility falling outside that range escape the local separation region, wherein any ions that escape the local separation region(s) are removed from within the device and/or otherwise kept apart from those ions falling within the selected range(s).

Ion filtering devices

A method of operating a quadrupole device is disclosed. The method comprises operating the quadrupole device in a first mode of operation, wherein ions within a first mass to charge ratio range are selected and/or transmitted by the quadrupole device, and operating the quadrupole device in a second mode of operation, wherein ions within a second different mass to charge ratio range are selected and/or transmitted by the quadrupole device. In the first mode of operation, the quadrupole device is operated in a normal mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage is applied to the quadrupole device, or in a first X-band or Y-band mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage and two or more auxiliary drive voltages are applied to the quadrupole device. In the second mode of operation, the quadrupole device is operated in a second X-band or Y-band mode of operation wherein a main drive voltage and two or more auxiliary drive voltages are applied to the quadrupole device.

Quadrupole devices

A miniature mass spectrometer includes an atmospheric pressure ionisation source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber downstream of the first vacuum chamber, and a third vacuum chamber downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is &#x2264;400 mm. The mass spectrometer also includes a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, 3D ion trap mass analyser, 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, Time of Flight mass analyser, quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser, or electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber.

Compact mass spectrometer

A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionisation source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pumpis arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure &#x3c;10 mbar. A first RF ion guideis located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detectoris located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detectoris &#x2264;400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyser, a 3D ion trap mass analyser, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyser, a Time of Flight mass analyser, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyser or an electrostatic mass analyser arranged in the third vacuum chamber. A split flow turbomolecular vacuum pumpcomprising an intermediate or interstage port is connected to the second vacuum chamber and a high vacuum ('HV') port is connected to the third vacuum chamber. The first vacuum pumpis also arranged and adapted to act as a backing vacuum pump to the split flow turbomolecular vacuum pumpand the first vacuum pumphas a maximum pumping speed 10 m/hr (2.78 L/s).

A mass filter is disclosed having at least one electrode (-) comprising an aperture () or recess. Voltages are applied to the electrodes (-) of the mass filter such that ions having mass to charge ratios in a desired range are confined by the electrodes and are transmitted along and through the mass filter, whereas ions () having mass to charge ratios outside of said desired range are unstable and pass into the aperture () or recess such that they are filtered out by the mass filter. The aperture () or recess reduces or eliminates the number of ions that would otherwise impact the electrode surface facing the ion transmission axis and hence reduces degradation of the ion transmission properties of the mass filter.

Mass filter having extended operational lifetime

A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source and a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. An ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and a second RF ion guide is located within the second vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is &#x2264;400 mm. The mass spectrometer further comprises a tandem quadrupole mass analyzer, a 3D ion trap mass analyzer, a 2D or linear ion trap mass analyzer, a Time of Flight mass analyzer, a quadrupole-Time of Flight mass analyzer or an electrostatic mass analyzer arranged in the third vacuum chamber. The product of the pressure Pin the vicinity of the first RF ion guide and the length Lof the first RF ion guide is in the range 10-100 mbar-cm and the product of the pressure Pin the vicinity of the second RF ion guide and the length Lof the second RF ion guide is in the range 0.05-0.3 mbar-cm.

A mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure interface comprising a gas conehaving an inlet aperture, wherein the gas conehas a first longitudinal axis arranged along an x-axis and an Electrospray ion source comprising a first capillary tubehaving an outlet and having a second longitudinal axis and a second capillary tubewhich surrounds the first capillary tube. The mass spectrometer further comprises a desolvation gas supply tube and a first device arranged and adapted to supply an analyte liquid via the first capillary tubeso that the liquid exits the outlet of the first capillary tubeat a flow rate &#x3e;200 &#x3bc;L/min. The mass spectrometer further comprises a second device arranged and adapted to supply a nebuliser gas via the second capillary tubeat a flow rate in the range 80-150 L/hr, wherein an outlet of the first capillary tubeis arranged at a distance x mm along the x-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture, a distance y mm along a y-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture and a distance z mm along a z-axis as measured from the centre of the gas cone inlet aperture. The x-axis, the y-axis and the z-axis are mutually orthogonal. The desolvation gas supply tube surrounds the second capillary tubeand the mass spectrometer further comprises a third device arranged and adapted to supply a desolvation gas via the desolvation gas supply tube at a flow rate in the range 400-1200 L/hr, a heaterarranged and adapted to heat the desolvation gas to a temperature &#x2265;100&#xb0; C. and a fourth device arranged and adapted to supply a cone gas to the gas coneat a flow rate in the range 40-80 L/hr and wherein x is in the range 2.0-5.0 mm and wherein the ratio z/x is in the range 1-5:1.

Miniature ion source of fixed geometry

An ion inlet assembly for connecting to a mass spectrometer housing is disclosed comprising a sampling limiting body having a sampling orifice. The sampling limiting body comprises a nickel disk wherein the disk and sampling orifice are made or formed by an electroforming process.

Ion inlet assembly

A miniature mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising an atmospheric pressure ionization source, a first vacuum chamber having an atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary, a second vacuum chamber located downstream of the first vacuum chamber and a third vacuum chamber located downstream of the second vacuum chamber. A first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to pump the first vacuum chamber, wherein the first vacuum pump is arranged and adapted to maintain the first vacuum chamber at a pressure &#x3c;10 mbar. A first RF ion guide is located within the first vacuum chamber and an ion detector is located in the third vacuum chamber. The ion path length from the atmospheric pressure sampling orifice or capillary to an ion detecting surface of the ion detector is &#x2264;400 mm.

Growing community of inventors

Knutsford, United Kingdom

Daniel James Kenny