Detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection and linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer

Abstract

The present invention discloses a detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection and a linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection includes a first reflection unit, a second reflection unit, a mobile unit and an ion detector; the ion detector is arranged on the mobile unit, the mobile unit can reciprocate within a predetermined range, the area where the mobile unit reciprocates forms a long strip detection area, the detection area includes a first ion detection station and a second ion detection station, when the ion detector is located at the first ion detection station, it can directly receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit; the first reflection unit and the second reflection unit are arranged opposite to each other, the second reflection unit corresponds to the second ion detection station, the first reflection unit is used to receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit and reflect the ions to the second reflection unit, and the second reflection unit is used to reflect the received ions to the second ion detection station. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection has low cost and high resolution.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry detection, and in particular to a detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection and a linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer. Background Art

[0002] Since WE Stephens proposed the use of ion flight time to detect the mass-to-charge ratio of ions in 1946, time-of-flight mass spectrometer (TOF MS) has attracted widespread attention due to its simple structure and high sensitivity. Time-of-flight mass spectrometer has now become a widely used mass spectrometer. TOF MS is mainly divided into linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer and reflective time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Among them, linear time-of-flight mass spectrometer is often used to detect large mass number ions, and the mass number that can be analyzed is as high as millions or even tens of millions, with high sensitivity; reflective time-of-flight mass spectrometer is often used to analyze small mass numbers, with high resolution and mass accuracy. Currently commonly used time-of-flight mass spectrometers usually use two ion detectors to combine the linear and reflective modes. According to the inconsistency of analysis requirements, the circuit is switched during analysis and replaced with a different mode. However, traditional time-of-flight mass spectrometers have the following problems: 1. Time-of-flight mass spectrometers use two ion detectors, which increases the design cost and the complexity of instrument installation and debugging; 2. The reflection type of time-of-flight mass spectrometers uses a single reflection, and the ion flight distance of a single reflection is short, resulting in low instrument resolution. Summary of the invention

[0003] Based on this, it is necessary to provide a detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection and a linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer with low equipment cost and high instrument resolution.

[0004] A detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection comprises a first reflecting unit, a second reflecting unit, a moving unit and an ion detector; the ion detector is arranged on the moving unit, the moving unit can reciprocate within a predetermined range, the area where the moving unit reciprocates forms a long strip-shaped detection area, the detection area comprises a first ion detection station and a second ion detection station, and when the ion detector is located at the first ion detection station, it can directly receive ions excited by an ion excitation unit; the first reflecting unit is arranged opposite to the second reflecting unit, the second reflecting unit corresponds to the second ion detection station, the first reflecting unit is used to receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit and reflect the ions to the second reflecting unit, and the second reflecting unit is used to reflect the received ions to the second ion detection station.

[0005] In one embodiment, the reflection surface of the second reflection unit is arranged parallel to the reflection surface of the first reflection unit.

[0006] In one of the embodiments, the moving unit is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit, and the axial direction of the detection area is perpendicular to the movement trajectory of ions excited by the ion excitation unit.

[0007] In one of the embodiments, a reflection surface of the first reflection unit forms an angle with the axial direction of the detection area, and a reflection surface of the second reflection unit is arranged parallel to the reflection surface of the first reflection unit.

[0008] In one embodiment, the angle between the reflection surface of the first reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 120°-150°, and correspondingly, the angle between the reflection surface of the second reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 30°-60°.

[0009] In one embodiment, the length of the detection zone in the axial direction is greater than or equal to the maximum width between the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit.

[0010] In one embodiment, the mobile unit includes a base and a driving mechanism, the base extends along the detection area, the ion detector is movably connected to the base, the driving mechanism is arranged on the base and connected to the ion detector, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the ion detector to move on the base.

[0011] In one of the embodiments, the moving unit further includes a lead screw assembly, which is disposed on the base and connected between the ion detector and the driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the lead screw assembly to move the ion detector.

[0012] In one embodiment, the detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection also includes a switching switch, on which a first mode button and a second mode button are provided, and the switching switch is connected to the mobile unit. When the first mode button is pressed, the ion detector is in a first ion detection position for detecting linear ions, and when the second mode button is pressed, the ion detector is in a second ion detection position for detecting reflected ions.

[0013] A linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer comprises a mass spectrometer body and a detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection, wherein the detection mechanism is arranged on the mass spectrometer body, and an ion detector of the detection mechanism is arranged opposite to an ion excitation unit of the mass spectrometer body. When the ion detector is located at a first ion detection station, the ion detector receives ions excited by the ion excitation unit, and when the ion detector is located at a second ion detection station, the ion detector receives ions reflected by the second reflection unit.

[0014] The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention has low equipment cost. When the detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection is used on a mass spectrometer, the detection resolution of the mass spectrometer can be greatly improved, and the linear and reflective detection can be integrated. Specifically, the detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is provided with a moving unit, and the moving unit can reciprocate within a predetermined range. The area where the moving unit reciprocates forms a long strip detection area. The detection area includes a first ion detection station and a second ion detection station. The first ion detection station and the second ion detection station are respectively used for linear ion detection and reflective ion detection. When the ion detector is located at the first ion detection station, it can directly receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit to complete linear ion detection; when reflective ion detection is required, the ion detector moves to the second ion detection station, and the first reflection unit and the second reflection unit are arranged relative to each other. The second reflection unit corresponds to the second ion detection station. The first reflection unit and the second reflection unit cooperate to reflect the ions excited by the ion excitation unit to the ion detector at the second ion detection station to complete reflective ion detection. The present invention can realize the integration of linear ion detection and reflective ion detection, can be used for detection of mass spectrometer, has a wide application range, low cost and high detection accuracy.

[0015] The detection principle of the detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is as follows: an ion detector is used to realize two modes of linear ion detection and reflective ion detection. When the time-of-flight mass spectrometry is now in a linear mode, the ions fly directly to the first ion detection station and are detected by the ion detector at this position. When the time-of-flight mass spectrometry is now switched to a reflective mode, the ion detector can be moved to the second ion detection station with the help of a moving unit, and the ions are reflected twice by the first reflective unit and the second reflective unit, and arrive at the ion detector at the second ion detection station for detection, and are detected by the ion detector at this position.

[0016] The linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer of the present invention can realize low-cost and high-resolution detection. It includes a mass spectrometer body and the detection mechanism for mass spectrometer detection, the detection mechanism for mass spectrometer detection is arranged on the mass spectrometer body, the ion detector of the detection mechanism for mass spectrometer detection is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit of the mass spectrometer body, when the ion detector is located at the first ion detection station, the ion detector receives ions excited by the ion excitation unit, and when the ion detector is located at the second ion detection station, the ion detector receives ions reflected by the second reflection unit.

[0017] The mobile unit of the detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit, and the axial direction of the detection area is perpendicular to the movement trajectory of ions excited by the ion excitation unit. Such an arrangement is convenient for installation on the one hand, and convenient for the ion detector to receive linear ions on the other hand, thereby reducing the modules of the detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection.

[0018] The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is provided with a base and a driving mechanism, which can realize automatic movement of detection. The ion detector can be switched between a first ion detection station and a second ion detection station by controlling the driving mechanism, and the degree of automation is high.

[0019] The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is provided with a lead screw assembly, and the lead screw assembly can improve the stability of the movement of the ion detector.

[0020] The detection mechanism switching switch for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is convenient for controlling two modes. During operation, when the first mode button is pressed, the driving mechanism drives the ion detector to move to the first ion detection position, and the first ion detection position is used to detect linear ions; when the second mode button is pressed, the driving mechanism drives the ion detector to move to the second ion detection position, and the second ion detection position is used to detect reflective ions. The control is precise and the operation is convenient. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Description of Reference Numerals

[0023] 10. Detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection; 100. First reflection unit; 200. Second reflection unit; 300. Moving unit; 400. Ion detector; 510. First ion detection station; 520. Second ion detection station; 20. Ion excitation unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, the present invention will be described more fully below with reference to the relevant drawings. The preferred embodiments of the present invention are given in the drawings. However, the present invention can be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. On the contrary, the purpose of providing these embodiments is to make the understanding of the disclosure of the present invention more thorough and comprehensive.

[0025] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the terms "center", "upper", "lower", "bottom", "inside" and "outside" used in the present invention to indicate the orientation or position relationship are based on the orientation or position relationship shown in the drawings, which is only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore cannot be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0026] It should be understood that the present invention uses the terms "first", "second", etc. to describe various information, but these information should not be limited to these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from each other. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, "first" information may also be referred to as "second" information, and similarly, "second" information may also be referred to as "first" information.

[0027] In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, unless otherwise clearly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "connection" should be understood in a broad sense. For example, it can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, and it can be the internal connection of two elements. That is, when an element is referred to as "fixed to" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there can also be an intermediate element. When an element is considered to be "connected" to another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there can be an intermediate element at the same time. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific circumstances.

[0028] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art of the present invention. The terms used herein in the specification of the present invention are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present invention. The term "and / or" used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more related listed items.

[0029] See also Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides a detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection.

[0030] A detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection includes a first reflection unit 100 , a second reflection unit 200 , a moving unit 300 and an ion detector 400 .

[0031] The ion detector 400 is arranged on the mobile unit 300, and the mobile unit 300 can reciprocate within a predetermined range. The area where the mobile unit 300 reciprocates forms a long strip of detection area, and the detection area includes a first ion detection station 510 and a second ion detection station 520. When the ion detector 400 is located at the first ion detection station 510, it can directly receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20; the first reflection unit 100 and the second reflection unit 200 are arranged opposite to each other, and the second reflection unit 200 corresponds to the second ion detection station 520. The first reflection unit 100 is used to receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20 and reflect the ions to the second reflection unit 200, and the second reflection unit 200 is used to reflect the received ions to the second ion detection station 520.

[0032] See also Figure 1 As shown, in one specific example, the reflection surface of the second reflection unit 200 is arranged parallel to the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 .

[0033] In one specific example, the mobile unit 300 is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit 20, and the axial direction of the detection area is perpendicular to the motion trajectory of the ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20. The mobile unit 300 of the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit 20, and the axial direction of the detection area is perpendicular to the motion trajectory of the ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20. Such an arrangement is convenient for installation on the one hand, and convenient for the ion detector 400 to receive linear ions on the other hand, thereby reducing the modules of the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection.

[0034] See also Figure 1 As shown, in one specific example, the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 has an angle with the axial direction of the detection area, and the reflection surface of the second reflection unit is arranged parallel to the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 .

[0035] In one specific example, the angle between the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 and the axial direction of the detection zone is 120°-150°, and correspondingly, the angle between the reflection surface of the second reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 30°-60°. That is, the angle between the reflection surface of the second reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is complementary to the angle between the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 and the axial direction of the detection zone. For example, in one embodiment, the angle between the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 and the axial direction of the detection zone is 120°, and correspondingly, the angle between the reflection surface of the second reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 60°. For example, in another embodiment, the angle between the reflection surface of the first reflection unit 100 and the axial direction of the detection zone is 150°, and correspondingly, the angle between the reflection surface of the second reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 30°.

[0036] In one specific example, the length of the detection zone in the axial direction is greater than or equal to the maximum width between the first reflection unit 100 and the second reflection unit.

[0037] In one specific example, the mobile unit 300 includes a base and a driving mechanism. The base extends along the detection area, the ion detector 400 is movably connected to the base, the driving mechanism is arranged on the base and connected to the ion detector 400, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the ion detector 400 to move. The detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is provided with a base and a driving mechanism, which can realize automatic movement of detection. By controlling the driving mechanism, the ion detector 400 can be switched between the first ion detection station 510 and the second ion detection station 520, and the degree of automation is high. In this embodiment, the driving mechanism can be a driving motor. It can be understood that in other embodiments, the driving mechanism is not limited to the above, and the driving mechanism can also be a driving cylinder, etc.

[0038] In one specific example, the moving unit 300 further includes a lead screw assembly. The lead screw assembly is disposed on the base and connected between the ion detector 400 and the driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the lead screw assembly to move the ion detector 400. The detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is provided with a lead screw assembly, which can improve the stability of the movement of the ion detector 400. Figure 1 Not shown.

[0039] In one specific example, the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection also includes a switching switch. The switching switch is provided with a first mode button and a second mode button, and the switching switch is connected to the mobile unit 300. When the first mode button is pressed, the ion detector 400 is in the first ion detection station 510 for detecting linear ions, and when the second mode button is pressed, the ion detector 400 is in the second ion detection station 520 for detecting reflective ions. The switching switch of the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is convenient for controlling the two modes. During operation, when the first mode button is pressed, the driving mechanism drives the ion detector 400 to move to the first ion detection station 510, and is in the first ion detection station 510 for detecting linear ions; when the second mode button is pressed, the driving mechanism drives the ion detector 400 to move to the second ion detection station 520, and is in the second ion detection station 520 for detecting reflective ions. The control is precise and the operation is convenient. The switching switch is attached. Figure 1 Not shown.

[0040] The detection principle of the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is as follows: an ion detector 400 is used to realize two modes of linear ion detection and reflective ion detection. When the time-of-flight mass spectrometry is now in a linear mode, the ions fly directly to the first ion detection station 510 and are detected by the ion detector 400 at this position. When the time-of-flight mass spectrometry is now switched to a reflective mode, the ion detector 400 can be moved to the second ion detection station 520 with the help of the moving unit 300. The ions are reflected twice by the first reflection unit 100 and the second reflection unit, and arrive at the ion detector 400 of the second ion detection station 520 for detection, and are detected by the ion detector 400 at this position.

[0041] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer.

[0042] A linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer includes a mass spectrometer body and the above-mentioned detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometer detection. The detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometer detection is arranged on the mass spectrometer body. The ion detector 400 of the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometer detection is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit 20 of the mass spectrometer body. When the ion detector 400 is located at the first ion detection station 510, the ion detector 400 receives ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20. When the ion detector 400 is located at the second ion detection station 520, the ion detector 400 receives ions reflected by the second reflection unit. The linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer and the mass spectrometer body are attached Figure 1 Not shown.

[0043] The detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention has low equipment cost. When the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection is used on a mass spectrometer, it can greatly improve the detection resolution of the mass spectrometer and realize the integration of linear and reflective detection. Specifically, the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometry detection of the present invention is provided with a moving unit 300 and the moving unit 300 can reciprocate within a predetermined range. The area where the moving unit 300 reciprocates forms a long strip of detection area. The detection area includes a first ion detection station 510 and a second ion detection station 520. The first ion detection station 510 and the second ion detection station 520 are respectively used for linear ion detection and reflective ion detection. When the ion detector 400 is located at the first ion detection station 510, it can directly receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20 to complete linear ion detection; when reflective ion detection is required, the ion detector 400 moves to the second ion detection station 520, and the first reflection unit 100 and the second reflection unit are arranged opposite to each other. The second reflection unit corresponds to the second ion detection station 520. The first reflection unit 100 and the second reflection unit cooperate to reflect the ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20 to the ion detector 400 at the second ion detection station 520 to complete reflective ion detection. The present invention can realize the integration of linear ion detection and reflective ion detection, can be used for detection of mass spectrometer, has a wide application range, low cost and high detection accuracy.

[0044] The linear reflection integrated mass spectrometer of the present invention can realize low-cost and high-resolution detection. It includes a mass spectrometer body and a detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometer detection, the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometer detection is arranged on the mass spectrometer body, the ion detector 400 of the detection mechanism 10 for mass spectrometer detection is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit 20 of the mass spectrometer body, when the ion detector 400 is located at the first ion detection station 510, the ion detector 400 receives ions excited by the ion excitation unit 20, and when the ion detector 400 is located at the second ion detection station 520, the ion detector 400 receives ions reflected by the second reflection unit.

[0045] The technical features of the above-described embodiments may be arbitrarily combined. To make the description concise, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above-described embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0046] The above-mentioned embodiments only express several implementation methods of the present invention, and the description thereof is relatively specific and detailed, but it cannot be understood as limiting the scope of the patent of the present invention. It should be pointed out that, for ordinary technicians in this field, several variations and improvements can be made without departing from the concept of the present invention, which all belong to the protection scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the patent of the present invention shall be subject to the attached claims.

Claims

1. A detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection, characterized in that: It includes a first reflecting unit, a second reflecting unit, a moving unit and an ion detector; the ion detector is arranged on the moving unit, the moving unit can reciprocate within a predetermined range, the area where the moving unit reciprocates forms a long strip detection area, the detection area has a first ion detection station and a second ion detection station, and when the ion detector is located at the first ion detection station, it can directly receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit; the first reflecting unit is arranged opposite to the second reflecting unit, the second reflecting unit corresponds to the second ion detection station, the first reflecting unit is used to receive ions excited by the ion excitation unit and reflect the ions to the second reflecting unit, the second reflecting unit is used to reflect the received ions to the second ion detection station, the length of the detection area in the axial direction is greater than or equal to the maximum width between the first reflecting unit and the second reflecting unit, the moving unit is arranged opposite to the ion excitation unit, and the axial direction of the detection area is perpendicular to the movement trajectory of the ions excited by the ion excitation unit.

2. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to claim 1, characterized in that: The reflection surface of the second reflection unit is arranged parallel to the reflection surface of the first reflection unit.

3. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to claim 1, characterized in that: A reflection surface of the first reflection unit forms an angle with the axial direction of the detection area, and a reflection surface of the second reflection unit is arranged parallel to the reflection surface of the first reflection unit.

4. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to claim 3, characterized in that: The angle between the reflection surface of the first reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 120°-150°, and correspondingly, the angle between the reflection surface of the second reflection unit and the axial direction of the detection zone is 30°-60°.

5. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that: The mobile unit includes a base and a driving mechanism, the base extends along the detection area, the ion detector is movably connected to the base, the driving mechanism is arranged on the base and connected to the ion detector, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the ion detector to move on the base.

6. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to claim 5, characterized in that: The moving unit further comprises a lead screw assembly, which is arranged on the base and connected between the ion detector and the driving mechanism, and the driving mechanism is used to drive the lead screw assembly to move the ion detector.

7. The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 6, characterized in that: The detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection also includes a switching switch, on which a first mode button and a second mode button are provided. The switching switch is connected to the mobile unit. When the first mode button is pressed, the ion detector is in a first ion detection position for detecting linear ions. When the second mode button is pressed, the ion detector is in a second ion detection position for detecting reflected ions.

8. A linear reflectance integrated mass spectrometer, characterized in that: It comprises a mass spectrometer body and a detection mechanism for mass spectrometry detection as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the detection mechanism is arranged on the mass spectrometer body, and an ion detector of the detection mechanism is arranged opposite to an ion excitation unit of the mass spectrometer body, and when the ion detector is located at a first ion detection station, the ion detector receives ions excited by the ion excitation unit, and when the ion detector is located at a second ion detection station, the ion detector receives ions reflected by the second reflection unit.

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