US4663944A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cryogenic sample stage for an ion microscope
Assignee: Cornell Research Foundation Inc
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Filing: 1985-07-12
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Granted: 1987-05-12
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Expires: 2005-07-12
Abstract
Abstract A cryogenic sample stage for an ion mass spectrometry system. A mounting is adjustable relative to the ion microscope lens system to maintain alignment with the immersion lens. Sample temperatures below -150° C. are maintained by circulating cooling fluid to the mounting section thereby allowing a direct analysis of frozen-hydrated biological samples.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark T. Bernius
- 👤 George H. Morrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:00
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01J; H01J49/00; H01J49/02; H01J49/04; H01J49/0409; F; F25; F25D; F25D3/00; F25D3/10; H01J37/00; H01J37/02; H01J37/20; H01J49/0468
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A cryogenic sample stage for an ion microscope having a lens system with an ion emission-immersion lens to form an image of a sample under study comprising: a mounting section for a sample under study, means coupled to and providing a cooling fluid to said mounting section; and means to adjust the position of said mounting section relative to said ion emission-immersion lens of said microscope lens system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A cryogenic sample stage for an ion microscope having a lens system with an ion emission-immersion lens to form an image of a sample under study comprising: a mounting section for a sample under study, means coupled to and providing a cooling fluid to said mounting section; and means to adjust the position of said mounting section relative to said ion emission-immersion lens of said microscope lens system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mounting system comprises a sample holder mount coupled to said means to provide a cooling fluid, a sample holder mounted to said sample holder mount, and a temperature sensor attached to said sample holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said sample holder comprises a stainless steel frame, a copper body mounted in said frame serving as a thermal reservoir and a semiconductor plate having surface receiving a sample.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said semiconductor plate is mounted on a metallic cylinder, said metallic cylinder having means to removably mount to said copper body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said means to provide a cooling fluid comprises a thermally conductive mass and means to fix said sample holder mount to said thermally conductive mass.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means to provide a cooling fluid comprises a source of cooling fluid, a feedtube coupled at one end to said source, and having a cooling chamber at the other end to circulate cooling fluid in a thermally conductive manner to said mounting section.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said means to supply a cooling fluid further comprising first outer sleeve concentric with said feedtube, said outer sleeve coupled to said means to adjust the position of said mounting section and an insulator coupling said outer sleeve to said mounting section, whereby cooling fluid passes from said feedtube with said cooling chamber and then into an annular space between said feedtube and said first outer sleeve for removal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means to supply a cooling fluid further comprises a second outer sleeve concentric with said feedtube and rotatable relative to it and, means coupled to said second outer sleeve to exhaust said cooling liquid from said annular space.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said means to adjust the position of said mounting section comprises a first flange coupled to said first outer sleeve, a bellows flange, a bellows coupled to both said first flange and said bellows flange, a mounting flange and adjustment means mounted on said bellows flange to move said first flange and said bellows flange relative to said mounting flange.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said adjustment means comprises an adjustment screw and a nut mounted on said bellows flange, said adjustment screw having one end adapted to abut against said mounting flange and fixed to said first flange at an opposite end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means to adjust the position of said mounting section comprises a first flange coupled to said means to provide a coupling fluid and second flange for mounting said sample stage to said microscope and means for carrying the distance between said first and second flanges.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 1 further comprises a thermistor coupled to said mounting section to measure the temperature thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means coupled to and providing a cooling fluid thermistor at one end with an expansion joint, and a ceramic insulator coupled to said expansion joint.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said mounting section comprises an expansion joint coupled to said ceramic insulator.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-11 | 1990-11-10 | 1991-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-11 | 1994-11-10 | 1995-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-11 | 1998-11-10 | 1999-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |