The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 28, 2002
Filed:
Sep. 06, 2000
Joseph A. Jarrell, Newtown Highlands, MA (US);
David M. Strand, Sherborn, MA (US);
Abstract
An improved method and apparatus for performing Mass spectrometry, in particular, Liquid chromatography/Mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is disclosed. Controlled generation of individual charged droplets enables the subsequent steps of trapping, desolvation and concentration. Miniaturization is also enabled. In contrast, conventional means of forming Electrosprays are chaotic, generating large numbers of charged droplets simultaneously. Additional flows of gas are provided in a nebulization region to effectively remove undesired solvent vapor and concentrate desirable analyte containing droplets and/or analyte ions. A semipermeable structure is used to effectively separate associated gas flow streams. Ions are concentrated or trapped using electrodes which are bound in the nebulization region and are appropriately electrically biased so as to concentrate the ions on one side, or in the center, or in a ring of the laminar gas stream. Additionally, a valve may be used to interrupt the flow gas into a detector region.