US4705616A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electrophoresis-mass spectrometry probe
Assignee: Sepragen Corp
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Filing: 1986-09-15
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Granted: 1987-11-10
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Expires: 2006-09-15
Abstract
Abstract The invention involves a new technique for the separation of complex mixtures of chemicals, which utilizes a unique interface probe for conventional mass spectrometers which allows the electrophoretically separated compounds to be analyzed in real-time by a mass spectrometer. This new chemical analysis interface, which couples electrophoresis with mass spectrometry, allows complex mixtures to be analyzed very rapidly, with much greater specificity, and with greater sensitivity. The interface or probe provides a means whereby large and/or polar molecules in complex mixtures to be completely characterized. The preferred embodiment of the probe utilizes a double capillary tip which allows the probe tip to be continually wetted by the buffer, which provides for increased heat dissipation, and results in a continually operating interface which is more durable and electronically stable than the illustrated single capillary tip probe interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian D. Andresen
- 👤 Eric R. Fought
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:40
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/04; H01J49/0431; G; G01; G01N; G01N27/00; G01N27/26; G01N27/416; G01N27/447; G01N27/44704; G01N27/44717; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T436/00; Y10T436/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An electrophoretic mass spectrometric process in which chemical components are separated from complex mixtures and analyzed in real-time to yield molecular weights and structural information of the electrophoretically separated chemicals, the process comprising the steps of: directing a quantity of electrically conducting buffer material into a capillary tube; directing a mixture to be separated and analyzed into the buffer material in the capillary tube; impressing an electrical potential on said capillary tube; separating chemicals from the mixture by electrophoresis as the mixture migrates along the interior of the capillary; discharging the separated chemicals directly from the capillary tube into an ion source of a mass spectrometer; directing an ionizing beam onto the separated chemicals as the separated chemicals discharge from the capillary tube for ionizing the chemicals, and analyzing the ionized chemicals in the mass spectrometer.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
136 words
An electrophoretic mass spectrometric process in which chemical components are separated from complex mixtures and analyzed in real-time to yield molecular weights and structural information of the electrophoretically separated chemicals, the process comprising the steps of: directing a quantity of electrically conducting buffer material into a capillary tube; directing a mixture to be separated and analyzed into the buffer material in the capillary tube; impressing an electrical potential on said capillary tube; separating chemicals from the mixture by electrophoresis as the mixture migrates along the interior of the capillary; discharging the separated chemicals directly from the capillary tube into an ion source of a mass spectrometer; directing an ionizing beam onto the separated chemicals as the separated chemicals discharge from the capillary tube for ionizing the chemicals, and analyzing the ionized chemicals in the mass spectrometer.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The process of claim 1, additionally including the step of directing a quantity of electrically conducting buffer material through another capillary tube which terminates adjacent the discharge of the separated chemicals from the first-named capillary tube for dissipating heat and for providing continuous electrophoresis separation within the first-mentioned capillary tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 2, wherein said first mentioned capillary tube is made positive with respect to the ground potential and said another capillary is made negative with respect to the ground potential.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The process of claim 3, additionally including the step of positioning a molecular screen between the capillary tubes and the mass spectrometer such that the separated chemicals pass through the molecular screen before discharging into the mass spectrometer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The process of claim 1, additionally including the steps of providing a valve mechanism between the capillary tube, a source for the mixture to be separated, a source for the electrically conducting buffer material, and a controlling the valve mechanism so as to periodically inject a quantity of the mixture to be separated into the positively charged capillary tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 1, additionally including the step of providing a data acquisition means to record the analysis data produced by the mass spectrometer
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein said mixture to be separated is a complex mixture of polar substances.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wnerein said mixture to be separated is a complex mixture of biological compounds.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electrophoresis-mass spectrometry interface probe for the separation of complex mixtures of chemicals, comprising: at least one capillary tube; means for directing buffer material into one end of said capillary tube; means for impressing an electrically positive charge on buffer material directed into said capillary tube; valve means for controlling flow of buffer material through said capillary tube; means for directing sample material to be separated by electrophoresis into said valve means; and means for electrically connecting an opposite end of said capillary tube to ground.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
86 words
An electrophoresis-mass spectrometry interface probe for the separation of complex mixtures of chemicals, comprising: at least one capillary tube; means for directing buffer material into one end of said capillary tube; means for impressing an electrically positive charge on buffer material directed into said capillary tube; valve means for controlling flow of buffer material through said capillary tube; means for directing sample material to be separated by electrophoresis into said valve means; and means for electrically connecting an opposite end of said capillary tube to ground.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The interface probe of claim 9, additionally including a casing, said capillary tube being located in said casing, and means secured to said casing for supporting said capillary tube within said casing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interface probe of claim 9, wherein said supporting means for said capillary tube comprises a block, said block having at least one passageway therethrough, said capillary tube extending at least into said passageway of said block.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interface probe of claim 11, wherein said passageway in said block is threaded, and said capillary tube is retained in said block by a threaded coupling mechanism inserted into said threaded passageway.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
The interface probe of claim 12, wherein said means for electrically connecting said capillary tube to ground includes an electrical lead connected at a first end to said opposite end of said capillary tube, said electrical lead extending along said casing, past said block, and connected at a second end to an electrical ground means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
The interface probe of claim 11, wherein said passageway in said block includes a plurality of different diameter sections, said opposite end of said capillary tube terminating in one of said plurality of different diameter sections of said passageway, and including seal means positioned in another of said plurality of different diameter sections of said passageway and around a section of said capillary tube, and means for retaining said seal means in said passageway.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
66 words
The interface probe of claim 13, wherein said capillary tube is constructed of a multi-layer configuration, and having a central layer of material selected from the group consisting of quartz, sapphire, glass, teflon and polycarbonate; and outer layer of material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, teflon and polystyrene; and an inner layer of material selected from the group consisting of polysilicones, carbowax and polyacrylamide.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
The interface probe of claim 9, wherein said capillary tube is constructed of a multi-layer configuration, and having a central layer of material selected from the group consisting of quartz, sapphire, glass and teflon; and outer layer of material selected from the group consisting of polyacrylamide, teflon and polystyrene; and an inner layer of material selected from the group consisting of polysilicones, carbowax and polyacrylamide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
92 words
The interface probe of claim 9, wherein said valve means is of a multi-port type, and having a movable member with a fluid passage therethrough, such that movement of said movable member to one position connects said fluid passage to said sample material directing means, and movement of said movable member to another position connects said fluid passage to said capillary tube and to said buffer material directing means, whereby sample material in said fluid passage is directed into said capillary tube by buffer material for electrophoresis processing within said capillary tube.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
55 words
The interface probe of claim 9, additionally including another capillary tube operatively connected for directing an electrically negative charged buffer material into one end thereof, said another capillary tube having an opposite end located at a location of said opposite end of said first-named capillary tube through which electrically positive charged buffer material is directed.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interface probe of claim 18, additionally including a casing means in which said capillary tubes extend, and means secured to said casing for supporting said opposite end of each of said capillary tubes in a spaced relation.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
105 words
The interface probe of claim 19, wherein said supporting means for said capillary tubes comprises a block having a pair of passageways therethrough, said opposite ends of said capillary tubes being located in said pair of passageways, said passageways having a plurality of different diameter sections, said opposite ends of each of said capillary tubes terminating in one of said plurality of different diameter sections, and seal means positioned in each of said pair of passageways in another of said plurality of different diameter sections and around a section of said capillary tubes, and means for retaining said seal means in each of said passageways.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
61 words
The interface probe of claim 20 ,wherein said block additionally includes a slit located on an end of said pair of passageways and extending at least between said pair of passageways, and additionally including a molecular screen assembly positioned adjacent said slit in said block, and means having an opening therein for retaining said molecular screen in abutment with said block.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interface probe of claim 21, additionally including means for sealing said block with respect to said casing.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
25 words
The interface probe of claim 21, wherein said block is provided in a tapered end surface in which said molecular screen is assembly is located.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
48 words
The interface probe of claim 21, wherein said molecular screen assembly comprises a molecular screen, constructed from material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, teflon, paper and cellulose, and positioned intermediate are pairs of members, each of said pair of members having a centrally located opening therein.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interface probe of claim 19, additionally including a coupling means for securing said probe to a point of use.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interface probe of claim 19, additionally including a coupling mechanism for securing said casing in a mass spectrometer in a vacuum tight arrangement and such that a portion of said casing extends into said mass spectrometer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
The combination of a mass spectrometer and interface probe of claim 24, additionally including means for ionizing chemical components of sample material separated by electrophoresis in said first-named capillary tube and discharged into said mass spectrometer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
65 words
The combination of claim 27, wherein said buffer material directing means includes a reservoir containing electrically positive charged buffer material connected to said valve means, and additionally a reservoir means for directing electrically negative charged buffer material into said another capillary tube, and a high voltage power supply having a positive terminal connected to said reservoir and a negative terminal connected to said reservoir means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-11-09 | 1991-05-11 | 1991-11-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-11-09 | 1995-05-11 | 1995-11-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-11-09 | 1999-05-11 | 1999-11-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |