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Publication Number
US-12196708-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to sensor systems and methods for analysing fluid samples. The sensor system comprises a housing (220) having an inlet for a fluid sample to enter the housing, an outlet for the fluid sample to exit the housing, and a fluid sample path within the housing for the fluid sample to flow between the inlet and the outlet. The sensor system also comprises an ionizer (210) which is external to the housing and which is for ionizing the fluid sample at a first location on the fluid sample path to generate sample ions, an ion mobility filter (212) which is at least partially located within the housing and which is for filtering the generated sample ions at a second location on the fluid sample path, and a detector (214) which is external to the housing and which is for detecting the sample ions which pass through the ion mobility filter at a third location on the fluid sample path.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a sensor system for analyzing a fluid sample using field asymmetric ion mobility. A housing includes an inlet for a fluid sample to enter, an outlet for the fluid sample to exit, and a fluid sample path within the housing between the inlet and the outlet, together with a dielectric material. A dielectric barrier ionizer generates sample ions at a first location on the fluid sample path using a dielectric barrier discharge between first and second electrodes separated by the dielectric material, with at least one electrode adjacent the dielectric material in the housing.
An ion mobility filter is at least partially within the housing and filters the generated sample ions at a second location on the fluid sample path. The detector is external to the housing and detects the sample ions that pass through the ion mobility filter at a third location on the fluid sample path, with all components of the detector mounted on outer surfaces of the housing. In the described construction, the dielectric barrier ionizer and the ion detector are external to the housing such that they do not contact wetted fluid.
The system further includes housing dielectric and transparent materials and structural features, including layered housing with spacers that position the fluid sample path, and electrode layer options with a sealed via through the housing to isolate internal electrode connections from external drive circuitry. Optional heaters aligned to ion channels and an optional radiation source transmitted through a transparent portion of the housing excite target ions prior to detection.
Claims Coverage
The document includes two independent claims that cover a sensor system and a corresponding analyzing method. Across the independent claims, the core coverage comprises three inventive features: a dielectric barrier ionizer using a dielectric barrier discharge, an ion mobility filter positioned on the fluid sample path, and an external detector mounted on outer surfaces of the housing.
External detector for filtered ions
A detector external to the housing for detecting the sample ions which pass through the ion mobility filter at a third location on the fluid sample path, wherein all components of the detector are mounted on outer surfaces of the housing.
Dielectric barrier ionizer on outer surfaces with dielectric discharge
A dielectric barrier ionizer comprising first and second electrodes mounted to outer surfaces of the housing with at least one electrode adjacent the dielectric material in the housing, whereby the ionizer ionizes the fluid sample at a first location on the fluid sample path to generate sample ions using a dielectric barrier discharge between the first and second electrodes separated by the dielectric material.
Ion mobility filter at least partially located within the housing
An ion mobility filter which is at least partially located within the housing and which is for filtering the generated sample ions at a second location on the fluid sample path.
The independent claims require a housing-based fluid sample path with a dielectric barrier ionizer generating ions via a dielectric barrier discharge, an ion mobility filter for filtering the ions at a second location, and a detector external to the housing that detects ions after the filter at a third location.
Stated Advantages
Reduces contamination by keeping the ion detector and dielectric barrier ionizer external to the housing fluid path such that they do not contact wetted fluid.
Enables cheaper manufacturing by locating the detector and dielectric barrier ionizer outside the fluid-contact area.
Documented Applications
Analyzing a fluid sample using a field asymmetric ion mobility system with sample ion generation, ion mobility filtering, and detection of ions passing through the ion mobility filter.
Exciting target ions by transmitting radiation through a transparent portion of the housing during analysis, prior to detection.
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