Cetac Technologies, Inc.

Transgenomic, Inc.

Jianzhong Zhu

Daniel R Wiederin

Arthur P D'Silva

John E Sutton

Robert C Fry

The present invention is a multiple channel electrophoresis system which includes a multiple laser diode illumination source. The multiple laser diode illumination source has a plurality of individual laser diodes, each of which is situated so as to provide independent fluorescence inducing illumination to one of the electrophoresis channels in the multiple channel electrophoresis system. The channels in the multiple channel electrophoresis system can be of many embodiments. And use of the present invention system in a multiple angle light scattering mode is also described.

Multiple laser diode electromagnetic radiation source in multiple electrophoresis channel systems

Systems and methods for inducing and detecting sample analyte(s) identifying fluorescence are disclosed. In particular, a system which includes at least two fiber optic means, within a 'throw-away' modular component system component with at least four ports, in which sample analyte fluorescence is caused to occur, by the application of energy to sample analyte(s), is disclosed. The present invention system provides that sample analyte(s) fluorescence inducing energy be entered via an optic fiber means and that produced fluorescence be provided to a detector system via a second optic fiber means. A preferred source of sample analyte(s) fluorescence inducing energy includes lasers, and a preferred method by which to provide sample analyte(s) to the present invention system involves electrophoresis.

Modular component fiber optic fluorescence detector system, and method

Disclosed are a laser ablation system and method for determining the presence of trace elements in liquid samples such as oils, and/or in powder samples. A sample containing microporous membrane is utilized to prevent 'splashing', 'splattering' and/or 'scattering' of liquid and/or powder sample when laser contained sample effectively 'nebulizing' energy is applied. The present invention is typically used in combination with an inductively coupled plasma and a detector system, such as an Atomic Emission Spectrometer or Mass Spectrometer.

System and method of determining trace elements in high viscosity

A system for interfacing Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE) systems to Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS) sample analysis systems is disclosed. The interface system includes a Sample Introduction Electrophoresis Capillary Tube as an integral part of a modified Direct Injection Nebulizer (DIN) system. During use sample components separated by (CZE) are entered to the modified (DIN) via a sample introduction electrophoresis capillary tube present therein, in which modified (DIN) they are mixed with an entered make-up liquid. The make-up liquid is conductive and serves to make electrophoresis effecting electrical contact to the end of the sample introduction electrophoresis capillary tube in the modified (DIN). The resulting mixture of make-up liquid and separated sample components is nebulized by simultaneous ejection of concentric sample component and make-up liquid mixture and an entered gas flow, to provide a multiplicity of small diameter droplets which are typically injected into an Inductively Coupled Plasma Torch for ionization, prior to entry of resulting ionized sample components to a Mass Spectrometer sample analysis system for detection and analysis thereof. It is noted that the presence of the make-up liquid buffers the effect of the entered nebulizing gas flow upon the capillary zone electrophoresis process, thereby allowing decoupled separate optimization of sample separation and nebulizing processes.

System for interfacing capillary zone electrophoresis and inductively

A sequential combination solvent removal system comprising at least one low temperature condenser solvent removal system interconnected to at least one enclosed filter solvent removal system is described. The sequential combination solvent removal system is capable of providing stable levels of solvent vapor in exiting mixtures of solvent vapor and nebulized sample particles, whether the solvent is aqueous or organic, and regardless of the type of sample solution nebulizer used to provide nebulized sample solution droplets to a preceding desolvation system, or of the flow rate of solvent vapor into said sequential combination solvent removal system. In the preferred embodiment a low temperature condenser solvent removal system is first in line and is followed by a functionally attached enclosed filter solvent removal system. A plurality or multiplicity of low temperature condenser and enclosed filter solvent removal systems can be present in modified embodiments in any order, and with or without intervening desolvation systems.

Sequential combination low temperature condenser and enclosed filter

A system and method of use for providing nearly one-hundred (100%) percent of volatile component(s) present in a liquid solution as a gaseous phase volatile component(s) sample to a sample analysis system, at relatively sequentially constant buffered pressure and flow rate, is disclosed. The present invention also provides for quick, immediate and active removal of a remaining liquid solution mixture entered thereto to reduce carry-over contamination. The present invention is particularly well suited for use with flame and plasma based sample analysis systems and its use serves to greatly increase achievable stability of their operation, and sensitivity to volatile component(s) such as, As, Se, Sb, Sn, Hg, B and Te.

System for generating and providing a gaseous phase sample at relatively

Spectrophotometric sample analysis systems, and methods of their use, capable of 'simultaneously' detecting, quantifying, displaying and/or recording energy absorption factors, and ratios of various energy absorbtion factors, regarding a multiplicity of single frequency electromagnetic waves in a beam of multiple single wavelength electromagnetic waves which is caused to pass through a sample analyte containing sample solution, are disclosed.

Simultaneous multiple, single wavelength electromagnetic wave energy

An efficient sample introduction system and method of use, for accepting liquid sample solutions, nebulizing them to form nebulized sample solution droplets, desolvating and removing solvent therefrom, and introducing the resulting desolvated nebulized sample particles to sample analysis systems is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment a flow of heated gas is caused to flow over the outer surface of a coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter to remove solvent vapor which diffuses through the coiled essentially tubular shaped enclosed filter while a mixture of desolvated nebulized sample particles and solvent vapor is caused to flow therethrough. A modified embodiment utilizes a low temperature condenser in place of the heated gas flow. Nebulization of sample solutions is accomplished by use of high efficiency ultrasonic or direct injection micro nebulizer systems. Desolvation is performed in a desolvation chamber in which heating elements provide a temperature sufficient to vaporize solvent present. The sample introduction system provides improved sample solution nebulization, desolvation and solvent removal, as well as reduced sample loss and carry-over of sample from one analysis procedure to a subsequent analysis procedure, as compared to other systems which perform a similar overall function. The sample introduction system also enhances transport of sample through the sample introduction system to a sample analysis system. The present invention is equally effective with sample solutions in which the sample solvent is either water, or an organic solvent.

Sample introduction system for inductively coupled plasma and other

An efficient sample introduction system and method of use, for accepting liquid sample solutions, nebulizing them to form nebulized sample solution droplets, and introducing the nebulized sample solution droplets to sample analysis systems is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment desolvation of produced nebulized sample solution droplets, and solvent removal, to provide nebulized sample particles is performed prior to entering sample to a sample analysis system. Nebulization of sample solutions is accomplished by use of high efficiency ultrasonic nebulizers and solvent removal is accomplished by use of high efficiency enclosed filter and solvent vapor removal gas flow or low temperature condenser systems. The sample introduction system provides improved sample solution nebulization, desolvation and solvent removal, as well as reduced sample loss and carry-over of sample from one analysis procedure to a subsequent analysis procedure, as compared to other systems which perform a similar overall function. The sample introduction system also enhances transport of sample through the sample introduction system to a sample analysis system. The present invention is equally effective with sample solutions in which the sample solvent is either water, or an organic solvent. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also teaches air cooling of the vibrational energy producing elements; and vibrational energy directing and focusing element which serves to increase the operational efficiency and lifetime of the ultrasonic nebulizer.

An system and method for use for analyzing samples in mass spectrometers using afterglow metastable species at atmospheric pressure to controllably dissociate, fragment and ionize sample is disclosed. Metastable species are created at atmospheric pressure by application of adjustable intensity and/or frequency electrical energy in one portion of a modular electric discharge chamber, then are caused to interact with sample in a distally located portion of the electric discharge chamber, termed the 'afterglow' portion, to produce ionized sample molecules and ionized sample fragments etc. The system and method can be used with any source of sample but a preferred embodiment utilizes an ultrasonic nebulizer to nebulize sample solutions, such as conventional liquid chromatography system effluents, into sample solution droplets, followed by desolvation thereof to provide nebulized sample particles, prior to sample entry to the 'afterglow' portion of an electric discharge chamber. Ionization of sample occures as a result of interaction with energy released by relaxing metastable species. Operation at atmospheric pressure reduces operational, contamination and maintenance problems and allows easy introduction of sample in a liquid form.

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Omaha, NE, United States of America

Jianzhong Zhu