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:
Nov. 18, 2003
Filed:
Mar. 08, 2001
Daniel D. Ebeling, Madison, WI (US);
Michael S. Westphall, Madison, WI (US);
Mark A. Scalf, Madison, WI (US);
Lloyd M. Smith, Madison, WI (US);
Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, Madison, WI (US);
Abstract
Methods and devices for use in mass spectral analysis of samples. In particular, methods and devices for generating ions from liquid samples containing chemical species with high molecular masses. These methods and devices provide a continuous or pulsed stream of gas phase analyte ions of either positive polarity, negative polarity or both possessing either a selected fixed charge-state distribution or one that may be selectively varied with time. More specifically, ion sources with adjustable control of the charge-state distribution of the gas phase analyte ions generated are provided in which charged droplets and/or gas phase analyte ions are exposed to electrons and/or gas phase reagent ions generated by a reagent ion source to provide desired control. A corona discharge exemplifies the reagent ion source employed in charge-state distribution control. In a specific preferred ion source, a corona discharge is provided within a shielded region to minimize the deflection of gas phase analyte ions, charged droplets. The methods and devices provided herein are particularly well-suited to the analysis of polymers and biological species.