Method of manufacture for an ion mobility filter
Inventors
Allsworth, Max • Melhirst, Daniel • Hart, Matthew
Assignees
Interested in licensing this patent?
MTEC can help explore whether this patent might be available for licensing for your application.
Publication Number
US-11092568-B2
Publication Date
2021-08-17
Expiration Date
Abstract
A method of manufacture for a ion mobility filter is disclosed. The method of manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system includes providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. The definition of the plurality of ion filters is achieved by forming an electrode layer for each ion filter on the sheet, where each electrode layer comprises at least one ion channel and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel. A support layer on each electrode layer is also formed. Each support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel. The ion filter is then separated. The risk of contaminants entering the at least one ion channel when separating the ion filters is reduced by surrounding the at least one ion channel with the isolation channel.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to manufacturing an ion filter for a spectrometry system by providing a sheet of conductive material and defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet. Each ion filter includes an electrode layer having at least one ion channel between first and second electrode portions, with an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel and the first and second electrode portions.
A support layer is formed on each electrode layer and includes an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel, and the plurality of ion filters are separated. The invention emphasizes defining both an ion channel and an isolation channel in the electrode layer, then adding a support layer aperture aligned with the ion channel.
The invention is also directed to an ion filter structure comprising the electrode layer and the support layer with an aligned aperture, configured for use in an ion mobility spectrometry system. The resulting ion filter/spectrometry system includes ion filtering and ion detection, and supports simultaneous measurements at multiple electric fields using a processor/matrix output.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001 and clm-00014. The claim set covers 4 inventive features.
Forming electrode layers with ion channels and isolation channels
Each electrode layer includes at least one ion channel between first and second electrode portions and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel and the first and second electrode portions.
Providing support layers with apertures aligned to ion channels
A support layer is formed on each electrode layer, wherein the support layer comprises an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel.
Separating a plurality of ion filters defined on a conductive sheet
Defining a plurality of ion filters on the sheet and separating the plurality of ion filters after forming the support layer on each electrode layer.
Electrode layer and support layer combination for an ion filter
An ion filter comprises an electrode layer with at least one ion channel between first and second electrode portions and an isolation channel surrounding the at least one ion channel and the first and second electrode portions, and a support layer on the electrode layer comprising an aperture at least partially aligned with the at least one ion channel.
Overall, the claims center on combining an electrode layer that includes an ion channel surrounded by an isolation channel with a support layer that includes an aperture aligned to the ion channel, and applying this structure both as a manufacturing method and as an ion filter apparatus for spectrometry.
Stated Advantages
Reduces cutting/dicing debris contamination entering or affecting the ion channel via the isolation channel.
Documented Applications
An ion mobility spectrometry system that includes an ion filter, an ionizer to generate ions in a gas sample, and a detector that detects the ion-filter output.
Filtering ions of a target chemical from a gas sample by passing the sample through at least one ion channel and then through an isolation ring, where the ion channel uses a different electric field than the electric field in at least part of the isolation ring.
Ion filtering and ion detection in a spectrometry system with simultaneous measurements at multiple electric fields.
Interested in licensing this patent?