Micromass UK Limited

Micromass UK Limied

David Gordon

Daniel James Kenny

Richard Barrington Moulds

Ian David Trivett

Kate Whyatt

Stevan Bajic

Stephen O'Brien

Martin Raymond Green

David John Langridge

Kenneth Russell Worthington

Stanislaw Koziol

Alastair Murray Booth

Anthony Hesse

Howard Read

Christopher John Hughes

Therese McKenna

Steve D Trudeau

Mark Walford

Stephen Ayrton

Jason Lee Wildgoose

Steven Derek Pringle

Kevin Giles

Keith George Richardson

Jeffery Mark Brown

Joseph A Jarrell

James P Murphy

Paul Robert Murray

David S Douce

Amir Farooq

Oliver John Malpas

John Iveson

Bharat Chande

David Jonathan Pugh

Alexander Hooper

John Chipperfield

Stephen Patrick Slater

David Richard Little

Therese Mckenna

David Pugh

Thérèse Mckenna

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 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 method of operating a quadrupole device is disclosed. The method comprises applying a main drive voltage to the quadrupole device and applying three or more auxiliary drive voltages to the quadrupole device. The three or more auxiliary drive voltages correspond to two or more pairs of X-band or Y-band auxiliary drive voltages.

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 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.

Disclosed herein is an ion guide comprising a plurality of axially stacked plates, wherein at least some or all of said plates comprise: a first electrically conductive portion; and a second electrically conductive portion, wherein the second electrically conductive portion is electrically isolated from the first electrically conductive portion, the first and second electrically conductive portions being shaped and arranged relative to each other so as to define an opening through which ions are axially transmitted in use; wherein, in use, a first AC or RF voltage is applied to the first electrically conductive portion and a second AC or RF voltage is applied to the second electrically conductive portion in order to confine ions radially within said opening. The first and second electrically conductive portions () may be separately formed and interleaved within the ion guide to define the plates. Alternatively the first () and second () electrically conductive portions may be printed onto a common substrate ().

Ion guide

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 voltage supply system for supplying an RF voltage to an RF resonant load comprising an ion-optical component of a mass spectrometer is disclosed. The system comprises a Direct Digital Synthesizer ('DDS') arranged and adapted to output an RF voltage. The voltage supply system is arranged and adapted: (i) to vary the frequency of the RF voltage output by the Direct Digital Synthesizer, (ii) to determine a first resonant frequency of the RF resonant load comprising the ion-optical component, and (iii) to determine whether or not the generation of an RF voltage at the first resonant frequency by the Direct Digital Synthesizer would also result in the generation of a spur frequency close to the first resonant frequency. If it is determined that a spur frequency would be generated close to the first resonant frequency then the voltage supply system is further arranged and adapted: (iv) to consult a look-up table comprising one or more preferred frequencies, and (v) to direct the Direct Digital Synthesizer to generate an RF voltage at a second frequency which corresponds with one of the preferred frequencies from the look-up table, wherein the second frequency is different to said first resonant frequency.

High frequency voltage supply control method for multipole or monopole analysers

An attachment device for releasably attaching a fluid line to a fluid inlet or outlet is disclosed. The device comprises an attachment member for releasably engaging a fluid inlet or outlet, and an elastic member coupled to the attachment member. The attachment device is attachable to a fluid line such that the attachment member is moveable relative to the fluid line and such that movement of the attachment member relative to the fluid line causes elastic deformation of the elastic member.

Probe assembly connector

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

Manchester, United Kingdom

David Gordon