Method and system for controlling ion mobility separator based on Hadamard algorithm

Abstract

A pulse control system may obtain, for each ion pulse included in a plurality of ion pulses, a signal obtained by a mass analyzer for ions ejected from a different set of channels of an ion mobility separator having a plurality of channels, and determining a signal associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator based on the signal for the plurality of ion pulses and a Hadamard algorithm.

Description

Background of the Invention

[0002] Ion mobility analysis can be performed using an ion mobility separator, which has a gas flow region and a plurality of channels leaving from the gas flow region, to separate the ions in the sample based on the ion mobility characteristics of the ions. The separated ions are transferred to the mass analyzer of a mass spectrometer to detect, identify and / or quantify the ions based on the mass-to-charge ratio (m / z) of the ions. As an example, ions can be introduced into a gas flow region, which has a gas flow in a first direction and an electric field in a second direction. When ions are transported downstream by gas flow in a first direction, the electric field guides ions in a second direction toward a plurality of channels of the ion mobility separator.

[0003] Ions migrate through the ion mobility separator according to the ion mobility characteristics of the ions and are separated from each other spatially during migration, so that ions of different ion mobilities enter the different channels of the ion mobility separator. For example, larger ions (for example, ions with a larger cross section) can travel slower than smaller ions (for example, ions with a smaller cross section) in the second direction, which causes ions to separate along a first direction. This separation allows the ions that leave the gas flow region and enter the channel to have ion mobilities of different ranges relative to the ions that enter the adjacent channels. For example, smaller ions will enter the first (upstream) channel, and larger ions will enter the (downstream) channel behind. When ions enter the channel, each channel of the ion mobility separator accumulates a subset of ions and periodically ejects the accumulated ion packets toward the mass analyzer.

[0004] Traditionally, multiple channels of an ion mobility separator are opened sequentially so that accumulated ions are ejected from only one channel at a time. Therefore, each channel of the ion mobility separator accumulates a large number of ions between successive ejections from the channel, which may cause space charge effects within the channel and heating of ions, fragmentation of ions, and / or waste of ions. Summary of the invention

[0005] The following description presents a simplified overview of one or more aspects of the methods and systems described herein to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary is not an extensive review of all covered aspects, and is neither intended to identify the key or decisive elements of all aspects, nor to delimit the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects of the methods and systems [TP118048CNSEC1] described herein in a simplified form as a preface to the more detailed description presented below.

[0006] In some illustrative examples, a system includes one or more processors and a memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a computing device to: open different groups of channels of an ion mobility separator including multiple channels for each ion pulse included in a plurality of ion pulses based on a Hadamard algorithm, wherein during each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward a mass analyzer; obtain, for each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions; and determine, based on the signal for the plurality of ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm, a signal associated with the ions ejected from the channels of the ion mobility separator.

[0007] In some illustrative examples, a non-transitory computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed, direct at least one processor of a computing device to: control an ion mobility separator based on a Hadamard algorithm to open different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator, the different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator comprising multiple channels for each ion pulse included in a plurality of ion pulses, wherein during each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward a mass analyzer; for each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, obtain a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions; and determine a signal associated with the ions ejected from the channels of the ion mobility separator based on the signal for the plurality of ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm.

[0008] In some illustrative examples, a system includes: an ion mobility separator, the ion mobility separator including a plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is configured to accumulate ions according to the mobility of the ions; a mass analyzer, the mass analyzer being configured to generate a signal based on ions ejected from the plurality of channels and detected by the mass analyzer; and at least one computing device, the at least one computing device being communicatively coupled to the ion mobility separator and the mass analyzer and being configured to perform a process comprising the following steps: opening different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator for each ion pulse included in a plurality of ion pulses based on a Hadamard algorithm, wherein during each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward the mass analyzer; obtaining, for each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions; and determining, based on the signal for the plurality of ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm, a signal associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator.

[0009] [TP118048CNSEC1] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The accompanying drawings illustrate various examples and are part of the specification. The examples shown are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

[0011] Figure 1 The functional components of an exemplary mass spectrometer are shown.

[0012] Figure 2 shows an ion mobility separator that is incorporated into Figure 1 Functional diagram of an exemplary implementation of a mass spectrometer.

[0013] Figure 3 Shows Figure 2 A magnified portion of a functional diagram including the channel array of the ion mobility separator.

[0014] Figure 4 An exemplary functional diagram of an ion pulse control system is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 A flow chart of an exemplary method for controlling an ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 A flow chart of another illustrative method for controlling an ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm is shown.

[0017] Fig. 7A A schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of a Hadamard matrix is ​​shown.

[0018] Figure 7B Shown is a Fig. 7A Schematic diagram of an exemplary implementation of a separator using a Hadamard matrix to control ion mobility.

[0019] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D Shown based on Figure 7B The simulation progress of the specific implementation to control the ion mobility separator.

[0020] Fig.9A and Fig. 9B shows the method for determining Figure 7B Schematic diagram of an illustrative implementation of a matrix of signals associated with an implementation of .

[0021] Fig. 10A and Fig. 10BSchematic diagrams of other exemplary implementations for controlling an ion mobility separator based on a Hadamard matrix are shown.

[0022] Fig.11 An illustrative computing device is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Systems and methods for controlling an ion mobility separator are described herein. In some illustrative examples, a system may control an ion mobility separator including a plurality of channels to open a different set of channels for each of a plurality of ion pulses, such as based on a Hadamard algorithm. During each of a plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the open channels of the ion mobility separator may be ejected toward a mass analyzer. The system may [TP118048CNSEC1] for each of a plurality of ion pulses.

[0024] Each ion pulse, a signal acquired by the mass analyser for the ejected ions is obtained. Based on the signals for multiple ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm, the system can determine a signal associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator.

[0025] For example, in an exemplary Hadamard algorithm, the system may control the ion mobility separator to open different groups of channels for ion pulses orthogonal to each other in sequence. The system may also determine signals associated with ions ejected from a selection channel of the ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm, such as by deconvolving signals acquired by a mass analyzer for multiple ion pulses to isolate signals associated with ions ejected from the selection channel. For illustration, the system may add signals acquired by a mass analyzer for each ion pulse in a plurality of ion pulses (during which the selection channel is open), and subtract signals acquired by a mass analyzer for each ion pulse in a plurality of ion pulses (during which the selection channel is closed).

[0026] System and method described herein can provide various benefits, and these benefits can include one or more advantages that are superior to conventional systems and ion mobility separators.For example, in conventional ion mobility systems, the channel of ion mobility separator opens one channel at a time.Therefore, conventional systems have suboptimal efficiency, and the ions accumulated in the channel of ion mobility separator can approach the maximum capacity of the channel, thereby causing space charge effect, heating of ions, fragmentation of ions and / or waste of ions.By contrast, system and method described herein is configured to operate ion mobility separator based on Hadamard algorithm.Therefore, system and method described herein improves the efficiency of ion mobility separator, and limits the amount of time that ions can be accommodated in the channel of ion mobility separator.This can prevent space charge effect, heating of ions, fragmentation of ions and / or waste of ions.In addition, compared with the channel of conventional systems, system and method described herein can allow a channel of lower capacity.

[0027] Various examples will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.The systems and methods described herein may provide one or more of the benefits described above and / or various additional and / or alternative benefits will be apparent herein.

[0028] The systems and methods described herein may be implemented in conjunction with a mass spectrometer. Figure 1 Functional components of an exemplary mass spectrometer 100 are shown. As shown, the mass spectrometer 100 includes an ion source 102, a mass analyzer 104, and a controller 106. The mass spectrometer 100 may also include any additional or alternative components (not shown) that may be suitable for a particular implementation (e.g., ion optics, filters, autosamplers, etc.).

[0029] The ion source 102 is configured to generate an ion flow 108 from a sample and deliver ions to a mass analyzer [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0030] 104. The ion source 102 may ionize the sample and / or components of the sample using various energy sources such as electricity, light, plasma, chemistry, electrons, heat, etc. For example, the ion source 102 may be implemented by any suitable ion source, such as a matrix-assisted laser desorption / ionization (MALDI) source, an electrospray ionization (ESI) source, an atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) source, an atmospheric pressure photoionization source (APPI), an inductively coupled plasma (ICP) source, an electron ionization source, a chemical ionization source, a photoionization source, a glow discharge ionization source, a thermal spray ionization source, etc.

[0031] The mass analyzer 104 is configured to receive the ion flow 108 and separate the ions according to the m / z of each ion. The mass analyzer 104 can be implemented by any suitable mass analyzer, such as a quadrupole mass filter, an ion trap (e.g., a three-dimensional quadrupole ion trap, a cylindrical ion trap, a linear quadrupole ion trap, a circular ion trap, etc.), a time-of-flight (TOF) mass analyzer, an electrostatic trap mass analyzer (e.g., an orbital electrostatic trap, such as an orbital trap (Orbitrap) mass analyzer, a Kingdon trap, etc.), a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FT-ICR) mass analyzer, a sector mass analyzer, etc.

[0032] An ion detector (not shown) is configured to detect ions at each of the various m / z and responsively generate an electrical signal representing the ion intensity. The electrical signal is transmitted to the controller 106 for processing in order to construct a mass spectrum of the sample. For example, the mass analyzer 104 may emit an emission beam of separated ions to the ion detector, which is configured to detect ions in the emission beam and generate or provide data that can be used by the controller 106 to construct a mass spectrum of the sample. The ion detector may be implemented by any suitable detection device including, but not limited to, an electron multiplier, a Faraday cup, etc.

[0033] The controller 106 may be coupled to the mass spectrometer 100 in a communicative manner and configured to control the operation of the mass spectrometer. For example, the controller 106 may be configured to control the operation of various hardware components included in the ion source 102 and / or the mass analyzer 104. For illustration, the controller 106 may be configured to control the high voltage applied to the emitter in the ion source 102, control the accumulation time of the mass analyzer 104, control the oscillating voltage power supply and / or the DC power supply to supply the RF voltage and / or the DC voltage to the mass analyzer 104, adjust the value of the RF voltage and the DC voltage to select the effective m / z (including the mass tolerance window) for analysis, and adjust the sensitivity of the ion detector (e.g., by adjusting the detector gain). In some specific implementations, the controller 106 may be configured to adjust the polarity of the ion detector, such as based on the polarity of the ions being detected (e.g., positive ions and / or negative ions).

[0034] The controller 106 may also include and / or provide a user interface configured to enable interaction between a user of the mass spectrometer 100 and the controller 106. The user may interact with the controller 106 via the user interface through tactile, visual, auditory, and / or other sensory types of communication. For example, the user interface [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0035] A display device (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD) display screen, a touch screen, etc.) may be included for displaying information (e.g., a mass spectrum, notifications, etc.) to a user. The user interface may also include an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a touch screen device, etc.) that allows a user to provide input to the controller 106. In other examples, the display device and / or the input device may be separate from the controller 106 but communicatively coupled to the controller. For example, the display device and the input device may be included in a computer (e.g., a desktop computer, a laptop computer, etc.) that is communicatively connected to the controller 106 via a wired connection (e.g., via one or more cables) and / or a wireless connection.

[0036] The controller 106 may include any suitable hardware (eg, processor, circuitry, etc.) and / or software as may serve a particular implementation. Figure 1 The controller 106 is shown to be included in the mass spectrometer 100, but the controller 106 may alternatively be implemented in a manner that is completely or partially separate from the mass spectrometer 100, such as by a computing device that is communicatively coupled to the mass spectrometer 100 via a wired connection (e.g., a cable) and / or a network (e.g., a local area network, a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi), a wide area network, the Internet, a cellular data network, etc.).

[0037] In some examples, the mass spectrometer 100 may be implemented as a tandem mass spectrometer, which may be a time tandem or a spatial tandem. For example, in addition to the mass analyzer 104, a spatial tandem mass spectrometer may include one or more collision cells and one or more additional mass analyzers ( Figure 1 ). As used herein, the term "collision cell" is intended to encompass any structure arranged to produce product ions by a controlled dissociation process, and is not limited to equipment for collision-activated dissociation. For example, the collision cell may be configured to fragment ions using collision-induced dissociation (CID), electron transfer dissociation (ETD), electron capture dissociation (ECD), photoinduced dissociation (PID), surface-induced dissociation (SID), etc. The collision cell may be positioned upstream of a mass filter that separates fragmented ions based on the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions. In some examples, the mass analyzer 104 may include a combination of multiple mass filters and / or collision cells, such as a triple quadrupole mass analyzer, in which the collision cell is inserted into the ion path between independently operable mass filters.

[0038] In some examples, the mass spectrometer 100 may be coupled to a separation system in a combined system that is configured to separate components of a sample to be analyzed by the mass spectrometer 100. In an analytical run performed by the combined system, the separation system is configured to receive a sample to be analyzed and separate certain components within the sample. In some examples, the separation system may also detect the relative abundance of the separated components, such as by generating a chromatogram representing the components within the sample. The separation system may be configured to separate components included in the sample by any device such as a liquid chromatograph (LC) (e.g., a high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC)), a gas chromatograph (GC), an ion chromatograph, a capillary electrophoresis system, etc. [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0039] The components separated by the separation system are delivered to the mass spectrometer 100 for mass analysis.

[0040] Figure 2 An exemplary embodiment 200 in which an ion mobility separator 202 is coupled between an ion source 102 and a mass analyzer 104 is shown. As shown, the ion mobility separator 202 includes an ion mobility cell 204 having a gas flow region (such as a substantially rectangular region), wherein a gas flow (indicated by arrow 206) flows in a first direction from a gas inlet 208 at one end of the ion mobility cell 204 to a gas outlet 210 at the other end (e.g., the opposite end) of the ion mobility cell 204. Additionally, an electric field gradient (indicated by arrow 212) is applied in a second direction. In various examples, the first direction and the second direction may form an angle between about 45 degrees and 135 degrees, such as an angle between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees. In a particular example, the first direction and the second direction may be substantially orthogonal to each other (at right angles within a small tolerance, e.g., ±5 degrees). The gas pressure within the ion mobility cell 204 may be between about 1 Torr and about 20 Torr, such as between about 3 Torr and about 6 Torr. In various examples, the gas velocity within the ion mobility cell 204 may be between about 100 m / s and about 300 m / s, such as between about 150 m / s and about 200 m / s.

[0041] Ions provided by the ion source 102 enter the ion mobility pool 204 at the ion inlet 214. A plurality of ion channels 216 may be located proximal to a plurality of ion outlet holes 218. In some examples, the ion channels 216 and the ion outlet holes 218 may be arranged in an array along a first direction. For example, the ion outlet holes 218 may be located opposite to the ion inlet 214 in the second direction, and may deviate from the ion inlet 214 (downstream) and be spaced apart from each other in the first direction. Ions 220 (e.g., ions 220-1 to 220-n indicated by arrows) entering the ion mobility pool 204 from the ion source 102 may be separated into the ion outlet holes 218 and guided into the array of ion channels 216 based on their different ion mobilities. For illustration, the ions 220 may flow at substantially the same speed along the first direction (due to the gas flow 206), and may move in the second direction according to their collision cross section. For example, ions 220 with larger collision cross sections (e.g., ions 220-n) may move more slowly in the second direction relative to ions 220 with smaller collision cross sections (e.g., ions 220-1) due to a greater number of collisions with molecules in the gas stream 206. Due to the slower movement in the second direction, ions 220 with larger collision cross sections may move farther along the first direction during their passage through the ion mobility cell 204. In this manner, ions 220 with successively larger collision cross sections may be sorted into an array of ion channels 216 such that ions 220 in an ion channel have a different range of ion mobilities than ions 220 in adjacent ion channels.

[0042] In various examples, the ion channel 216 may include an ion trap, an RF ion guide, a DC ion [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0043] sub-lenses or a combination thereof. In some examples, ion channel 216 may include ion traps, each ion trap being defined by a plurality of rod electrodes. Additionally, each ion trap may include one or more drag blades. In some examples, adjacent ion traps in an ion trap array may share a pair of rods.

[0044] In various examples, the plurality of ion channels 216 can include between about 3 ion channels and about 50 ion channels, such as between about 5 ion channels and about 20 ion channels, or between about 7 ion channels and about 15 ion channels.

[0045] In various examples, a lens array (not shown) can be positioned between the ion exit aperture 218 and the ion channel 216. The lens array can be configured to direct the ions 220 into the respective channels, such as by focusing the ions 220 toward a centerline of the channel.

[0046] The cooling / transfer guide 222 may be positioned adjacent to the plurality of ion channels 216. Ions 220 may be ejected from the ion channels 216 (e.g., in the form of packets) into the cooling / transfer guide 222. The ions 220 may be directed from the cooling / transfer guide 222 to the mass analyzer 104. The ions 220 may be ejected from the channels 216 in response to a control signal received from an ion pulse control system 224 ("control system 224"). Additionally, the control system 224 may be configured to obtain a signal 226 (e.g., an electrical signal) generated by the mass analyzer 104 (e.g., an ion detector) based on the ejected ions 220. The operation of the control system 224 will be described in more detail below. In various examples, the ions 220 may be directed to other processes, such as a fragmentation pool (not shown), before the mass analyzer 104.

[0047] Figure 3 An expanded view of a plurality of channels 216 (e.g., channels 216-1 to 216-n) of an ion mobility separator 202 is shown. As shown, the channels 216 are arranged into an array that can be separated by a rod 302. Each channel 216 includes a corresponding exit gate electrode 304 (e.g., electrodes 304-1 to 304-n). The exit gate electrode 304 can be used to control which accumulated ion 220 packets are ejected to the mass analyzer 104 at any particular time. As illustrated, each exit gate electrode 304 can be separated from the ion channel 216 associated therewith. However, in some instances, the exit gate electrode 304 can be a specific annular or plate-shaped electrode of the ion channel 216, which is electrically configured to be supplied with a unique potential that can stop the flow of ions 220 (e.g., to accumulate ions 220 in the channel 216) at certain controlled times and to be supplied with a potential that allows the flow of ions 220 (e.g., to eject ions 220 from the channel 216) at some other time.

[0048] Each channel 216 can be configured to accumulate a subset of the ions 220 transmitted through the ion mobility separator 202 based on the ion mobility of the ions 220. For example, the first channel 216-1 can be configured to accumulate a subset of the first ions 220-1 having a first range of ion mobilities in the first channel 216-1, and the second channel 216-2 can be configured to accumulate a subset of the first ions 220-1 having a second range of ion mobilities in the second channel 216-2.

[0049] The third channel 216-3 may be configured to accumulate within the third channel 216-3 a subset of the third ions 220-3 having a third range of ion mobilities, and so on. Thus, the channels 216 may spatially separate the ions 220 to allow only one or a few types of ions 220 to be directed to the mass analyzer 104 at a time, while accumulating multiple groups of ions 220 that may be stored in the channels 216 and subsequently ejected toward the mass analyzer 104. The ejection from the channels 216 may allow the mass analyzer 104 to perform mass analysis on ion packets ejected from a selected one or a selected subset of the channels 216, while other ions 220 continue to accumulate in other channels of the channels 216. In some implementations, the potential gain provided by the ion mobility separator 202 may be equal to the number of separation channels 216.

[0050] In some implementations, each of the plurality of channels 216 may be controlled independently of one another (e.g., by a control system 224). This may permit the selective ejection of ions 220 accumulated in some of the channels 216 toward the mass analyzer 104 (through the ion cooling / transfer guide 222), while ions 220 may be continuously accumulated in other channels. In addition, each channel 216 may accumulate and temporarily capture at least one packet of ions 220 therein while releasing earlier accumulated packets of ions 220 to the ion cooling / transfer guide 222. The cycle times of the various channels 216 may not be exactly the same. In some examples, different predetermined cycle times may be used to accumulate different ion species over time periods that are inversely related to their relative abundance in the sample.

[0051] Other configurations of ion mobility separator 202 and / or channel 216 can be used. For example, ion mobility separator 202 can be arranged along the ion path between ion source 102 and mass analyzer 104, wherein the ion path is straight, curved and / or tortuous. In some examples, ion mobility pool 204 can be replaced by any device that provides ion 220 flow, and its composition changes over time. Additionally or alternatively, ion mobility separator 202 can be based on the principle of ion mobility different from that in gas. For example, separation can be completed based on ion m / z or charge state. Separation mechanism may be due to competition of forces acting on ions, which is known in the art to be related to m / z or z. One such example relates to the effect of pseudo-potential forces that appear in non-uniform periodic electric fields. Parts of ions 220 can be captured in separate channels 216 and analyzed sequentially without exceeding the capacity of mass analyzer 104, thereby increasing selectivity. The analysis duty cycle may be enhanced because the accumulation in the trapping trap is continuous for multiple moieties, while only one or a subset of them is delivered to the mass analyzer 104 .

[0052] Figure 4 An illustrative functional diagram of control system 224 is shown. Control system 224 may be implemented separately from mass spectrometer 100. In some examples, control system 224 may be implemented in whole or in part by mass spectrometer 100 (e.g., by controller 106 or by any other component of mass spectrometer 100) and / or by ion mobility separator 202.

[0053] [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0054] The control system 224 may include, but is not limited to, a storage facility 402 and a processing facility 404 that are selectively and communicatively coupled to each other. The facilities 402 and 404 may each include or be implemented by hardware and / or software components (e.g., a processor, a memory, a communication interface, instructions stored in the memory for execution by the processor, etc.). In some examples, the facilities 402 and 404 may be distributed among multiple devices and / or multiple locations as may serve a particular implementation.

[0055] The storage facility 402 may maintain (e.g., store) executable data used by the processing facility 404 to perform any of the operations described herein. For example, the storage facility 402 may store instructions 406 that may be executed by the processing facility 404 to perform any of the operations described herein. The instructions 406 may be implemented by any suitable application, software, code, and / or other executable data instance.

[0056] The storage facility 402 may also maintain any data acquired, received, generated, managed, used, and / or transmitted by the processing facility 404. For example, the storage facility 402 may maintain the signals 226 and / or Hadamard algorithm data. The Hadamard algorithm data may include data representing, used by, or associated with one or more Hadamard algorithms maintained by the processing facility 404 for operating the channels 216 of the ion mobility separator 202 and / or determining signals associated with ions ejected from the channels 216 of the ion mobility separator 202.

[0057] The processing facility 404 may be configured to perform (e.g., execute instructions 406 stored in the storage facility 402 to perform) various processing operations described herein. It will be appreciated that the operations and examples described herein are merely illustrative of the many different types of operations that may be performed by the processing facility 404. In the description herein, any reference to an operation performed by the control system 224 may be understood to be performed by the processing facility 404 of the control system 224. Furthermore, in the description herein, any operation performed by the control system 224 may be understood to include the control system 224 directing or instructing another system or device to perform an operation.

[0058] In some examples, the control system 224 may control the channel 216 of the ion mobility separator 202 , such as by controlling the exit gate electrode 304 to selectively open or close the channel 216 for multiple ion pulses to reduce the number of ions accumulated between ejections.

[0059] Figure 5 A flow chart of an exemplary method 500 for controlling an ion mobility separator (eg, ion mobility separator 202) based on a Hadamard algorithm is shown. Figure 5 Illustrative operations according to one example are shown, but other examples may omit, add, reorder, and / or modify Figure 5 any of the operations shown. Figure 5 Operations are described as being performed by control system 224, but any of these operations may alternatively be performed by mass spectrometer 100, ion mobility separator 202, or any other device.

[0060] In operation 502, the control system 224 may, based on the Hadamard algorithm, calculate the number of

[0061] Each of the ion pulses opens a different set of channels of an ion mobility separator including a plurality of channels (eg, channels 216). During each of the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward a mass analyzer (eg, mass analyzer 104).

[0062] An ion pulse is a period of time during which one or more ion packets are ejected from different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator. During each ion pulse, the control system 224 may control the ion mobility separator to open different groups of channels, such as by providing an outlet gate electrode (e.g., outlet gate electrode 304) associated with different groups of channels with an electric potential that permits ions to flow from the channel. The remaining channels in a plurality of channels (e.g., outside the channels of the different groups) remain closed to prevent the ions accumulated in the remaining channels from being ejected during the ion pulse. In some examples, the control system 224 may provide an electric potential to close the channel (e.g., stop ions from flowing from the channel) to the outlet gate electrode associated with the channels of the different groups (such as between and / or after each ion pulse). Alternatively, in some instances, the control system 224 may allow one or more channels in the channels of the different groups to remain open after the ion pulse, such as when one or more channels may be determined to be open for subsequent ion pulses in a plurality of ion pulses. In some implementations, the duration of one or more ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses can vary (eg, one or more ion pulses can have a longer and / or shorter duration than another ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses).

[0063] In the Hadamard algorithm, the control system 224 can control the ion mobility separator to open different groups of channels for ion pulses orthogonal to each other in sequence, so that the signal associated with the ions ejected from each channel of the ion mobility separator can be acquired in parallel and then deconvoluted. Opening different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm may include: for each ion pulse in a plurality of ion pulses, opening two or more channels in a plurality of channels. For example, two or more channels may be opened simultaneously during an ion pulse to allow ions accumulated in two or more channels to be ejected toward a mass analyzer at the same time. Opening different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm may include: for a reference ion pulse, opening all channels in a plurality of channels. For example, all channels of the ion mobility separator may be opened simultaneously during a reference ion pulse to allow ions accumulated in all channels in the channel to be ejected toward a mass analyzer at the same time.

[0064] Opening different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm may include: opening each of the multiple channels for at least about 50% of the ion pulses of the multiple ion pulses. For example, each of the multiple channels may be opened for at least half of the ion pulses of the multiple ion pulses and / or half of the duration of the ion ejection toward the mass analyzer. As another example, opening different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm may include: opening each of the multiple channels for at least about 50% of the ion pulses of the multiple ion pulses.

[0065] The ion pulse multiple channels are open for at least about 50% of the amount of time.

[0066] In some examples, opening different groups of channels in the order of ion pulses can be performed based on a Hadamard matrix. Fig. 7A An exemplary implementation 700 of a Hadamard matrix including a plurality of columns 702 (e.g., columns 702-1 to 702-4) and rows (e.g., rows 704-1 to 704-4) associated with an element 706 is shown. Each element 706 of the Hadamard matrix 700 includes a binary value (e.g., "1" or "-1") such that the sum of the values ​​of all elements 706 within one or more rows 704 of the Hadamard matrix 700 is equal to zero. The ion channels of an ion mobility separator may be controlled based on the Hadamard matrix 700, such as by assigning each column 702 to a different set of channels of the ion mobility separator and assigning each row 704 to a different ion pulse in a plurality of ion pulses. Thus, a channel associated with a value of 1 may be opened during a corresponding ion pulse, and a channel associated with a value of -1 may be closed during a corresponding ion pulse (see, e.g., Figure 7B ). Fig. 7A Further examples of opening different sets of channels of an ion mobility separator based on a Hadamard matrix will be discussed in more detail below.

[0067] Reference again Figure 5 In operation 504, the control system 224 may obtain a signal (e.g., signal 226) acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions for each of the plurality of ion pulses. For illustration, the ions ejected from the different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator for each ion pulse may be detected by a mass analyzer (e.g., an ion detector) to detect ions of various m / z and generate a signal in response. For example, the signal may include an electrical signal representing the ion intensity of the ions ejected from the different groups of channels for the corresponding ion pulse. The signal may be obtained for each ion pulse, so that the control system 224 may be configured to obtain multiple signals for multiple ion pulses.

[0068] In some examples, the signal may be transmitted to a controller (e.g., controller 106) of a mass analyzer and / or mass spectrometer (e.g., mass spectrometer 100) for processing. In such examples where the signal is transmitted to the controller, the control system 224 may be configured to obtain the signal from the controller. Additionally or alternatively, the control system 224 may be configured to obtain the signal from the mass analyzer. In some examples, the control system 224 may be configured to direct the mass analyzer and / or mass spectrometer (such as for each ion pulse) to acquire the signal.

[0069] In operation 506, the control system 224 may determine a signal associated with ions ejected from a selected channel of an ion mobility separator based on the signal for the plurality of ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm. For example, it may be desirable to determine an ion intensity associated with ions ejected from a selected channel of an ion mobility separator (e.g., a subset of the ion mobility included in the ejected ions).

[0070] In order to determine the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel, the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the plurality of ion pulses may be deconvolved to isolate the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel during the plurality of ion pulses. Deconvolving the signal may include adding the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each of the plurality of ion pulses for which the selected channel is open, and subtracting the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each of the plurality of ion pulses for which the selected channel is closed. In some implementations, the selected channel may include a single channel of the plurality of channels and / or a subset of the channels of the plurality of channels. The method for deconvolving the signal will be described in more detail below.

[0071] In some examples, the determined signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel can be used to generate a mass spectrum representing the ion intensity as a function of m / z. For example, a mass spectrum can be generated based on the ions ejected from one or more channels of the ion mobility separator. The control system 224 can be configured to generate a mass spectrum and / or the control system 224 can be configured to output the determined signal to a controller of the mass spectrometer (e.g., controller 106) for generating a mass spectrum.

[0072] Figure 6 A flow chart of another exemplary method 600 for controlling an ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm is shown. Figure 6 Illustrative operations according to one example are shown, but other examples may omit, add, reorder, and / or modify Figure 6 any of the operations shown. Figure 6 Operations are described as being performed by control system 224, but any of these operations may alternatively be performed by mass spectrometer 100, ion mobility separator 202, or any other device.

[0073] In operation 602, the control system 224 may assign each of the multiple channels of the ion mobility separator to the columns of the Hadamard matrix based on the Hadamard algorithm, and assign each of the multiple ion pulses to the rows of the Hadamard matrix. As mentioned above, the Hadamard matrix indicates whether each channel is open (e.g., to allow ion flow) or closed (e.g., to prevent ion flow) for each of the multiple ion pulses. For example, each element of the Hadamard matrix may be assigned a value that may represent whether the corresponding ion pulse channel is open or closed. In some examples, the value may include an item (e.g., "open" represents open or "closed" represents closed), an integer (e.g., "1" represents open or "0" represents closed) and / or any other type of value representing that a channel is open or closed.

[0074] In operation 604, the control system 224 may open different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator for each ion pulse based on the Hadamard matrix, wherein during each ion pulse, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward the mass analyzer. For illustration, opening different groups of channels for each ion pulse may include: opening each channel associated with an element of the Hadamard matrix, the element having a value indicating that the channel is open within the row of the Hadamard matrix corresponding to the ion pulse. Opening different groups of channels may also include: prohibiting opening each channel associated with an element of the Hadamard matrix, the element having a value indicating that the channel is closed within the row of the Hadamard matrix corresponding to the ion pulse.

[0075] A Hadamard matrix may include a square binary matrix such that the rows of the Hadamard matrix are mutually orthogonal (e.g., each pair of rows has matching elements in half of their columns and non-matching elements in the remaining columns). For illustration, the Hadamard matrix H n H is satisfied by having order n (e.g., n elements per row and n elements per column) n H n T =nI n , where H n T Yes H n The transpose and I nis an identity matrix of order n. In some instances, such as when all elements of the first row and the first column are equal to +1, the Hadamard matrix may be normalized. The order n of the Hadamard matrix may include a first order, a second order, or a multiple of four orders. Therefore, in the case where the matrix includes a Hadamard matrix, the number of ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses may be a multiple of four. In addition, the maximum number of channels in the plurality of channels of the ion mobility separator may include a channel that is one less than the number of ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses.

[0076] In operation 606, the control system 224 may obtain a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions for each of the plurality of ion pulses. For illustration, the control system 224 may obtain a signal generated by the mass analyzer (e.g., an ion detector) in response to detecting ions ejected from an open channel of an ion mobility separator for each ion pulse. The signal may include an electrical signal representing the ion intensity of the ions ejected from the open channel of the corresponding ion pulse. The signal may be obtained for each ion pulse, so that the control system 224 may be configured to obtain multiple signals for multiple ion pulses.

[0077] In operation 608, the control system 224 may assign the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each ion pulse to the corresponding element of the Hadamard matrix. For example, the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each ion pulse may include a total signal value (e.g., representing ion intensity) associated with all ions ejected from different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator during the ion pulse. The total signal value of each ion pulse may be assigned to a corresponding element in a row associated with the ion pulse, the corresponding element having a value indicating that the channel is open for the ion pulse. In some specific implementations, assigning the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each ion pulse may also include: assigning a value of "0" to each element in a row associated with the ion pulse, the element having a value indicating that the channel is closed for the ion pulse.

[0078] In operation 610, the control system 224 may determine whether to calculate the [TP118048CNSEC1] from the ion mobility separator

[0079] A signal associated with ions ejected from the selected channel. In some examples, determining whether to calculate a signal associated with ions ejected from the selected channel may be based on one or more factors, such as whether a signal was previously calculated for the selected channel, detecting user input specifying calculation of a signal associated with ions ejected from the selected channel, etc. As an illustrative example, the user input indicating the calculation of the signal may be received by the control system 224 from a user interface (e.g., included in and / or provided by the control system 224 and / or the controller 106), which may be configured to enable interaction between a user of the ion mobility separator and the control system 224.

[0080] If the control system 224 does determine to calculate the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selection channel ("yes" at operation 610), the control system 224 may add the signals of all rows of the Hadamard matrix associated with the selection channel of the ion mobility separator being on at operation 612, and subtract the signals of all rows of the Hadamard matrix associated with the selection channel of the ion mobility separator being off at operation 614. For illustration, the signal value assigned to each element in a column may be summed for all rows of the Hadamard matrix in which the selection channel is on, and the signal value assigned to each element in the column may be subtracted for all rows of the Hadamard matrix in which the selection channel is off. This may eliminate signals acquired by the mass analyzer corresponding to ions ejected from other channels (e.g., ions not ejected from the selection channel).

[0081] In operation 616, the control system 224 may also determine a signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel. For example, adding the signals acquired by the mass analyzer for ion pulses in which the selected channel is on and subtracting the signals acquired by the mass analyzer for ion pulses in which the selected channel is off may result in a cumulative signal value associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel for all ion pulses in the ion pulses in which the selected channel is on. For illustration, the cumulative signal value may be a multiple of the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel for each ion pulse, such that the cumulative signal value may be further processed (e.g., the cumulative signal value may be divided by the number of ion pulses in which the selected channel is on) to determine the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel for each ion pulse.

[0082] After determining the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel, the control system 224 returns to operation 610 to determine whether to calculate the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel of the ion mobility separator. For example, the control system 224 may determine to calculate the signal associated with the ions ejected from another selected channel. Alternatively, if the control system 224 does not determine to calculate the signal associated with the ions ejected from the selected channel ("No" at operation 610), the control system 224 may end determining the signal associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator.

[0083] [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0084] Fig. 7A An exemplary implementation 700 of a Hadamard matrix that can be used to control an ion mobility separator (e.g., ion mobility separator 202) is shown. As shown, the Hadamard matrix 700 includes a plurality of columns 702 (e.g., columns 702-1 to 702-4) and a plurality of rows 704 (e.g., rows 704-1 to 704-4). The number of columns 702 and rows 704 of the Hadamard matrix 700 is equal, so that the Hadamard matrix 700 is a square matrix. For example, the order of the Hadamard matrix 700 is four, so that the Hadamard matrix 700 includes four columns and four rows. In addition, each element 706 of the Hadamard matrix 700 includes a binary value (e.g., "1" or "-1"). The Hadamard matrix 700 is normalized, wherein, except for the first column 702-1 and the first row 704-1, the rows 704 are mutually orthogonal, so that the values ​​of all elements 706 in the remaining rows 704 are added to zero. Other suitable configurations of Hadamard matrix 700 may also be used. For example, columns 702 and / or rows 704 of the matrix may be arranged in any other order or sequence.

[0085] Figure 7B An exemplary implementation 708 of a matrix is ​​shown, wherein columns 710 (e.g., columns 710-1 to 710-3) of the matrix 708 are assigned one of the multiple channels of the ion mobility separator, and rows 712 (e.g., rows 712-1 to 712-4) of the matrix 708 are assigned one of the multiple ion pulses. As shown, the matrix 708 includes three columns 710 associated with three channels of the ion mobility separator and four rows 712 associated with four ion pulses. The elements 714 of the matrix 708 may include values ​​(e.g., "open" or "closed") indicating whether each channel is open or closed for the corresponding ion pulse corresponding to the column 710 of the row 712. This may allow each row 712 of the matrix 708 to indicate whether each channel is open or closed for each ion pulse in the multiple ion pulses.

[0086] In the illustrated example, the value assigned to element 714 is based on Fig. 7A A Hadamard matrix 700 is provided, such that, according to the Hadamard matrix, for each ion pulse, different groups of channels are open. For example, for a corresponding element 706 having a value of "1", an element 714 may be assigned a value of "open", and for a corresponding element 706 having a value of "-1", the remaining elements 714 may be assigned a value of "closed". As shown, different groups of channels associated with the first row 712-1 of the matrix 708 include each channel of the column 710, such that for a first ion pulse (e.g., a reference ion pulse) associated with the first row 712-1 of the matrix 708, all channels in the plurality of channels are open. However, the order of the ion pulses associated with the row 712 may be arranged in any order, such that the plurality of channels may be open in any ion pulse in the ion pulses associated with the row 712. The matrix 708 also provides that each channel in the plurality of channels is determined to be open for at least 50% of the ion pulses of the plurality of ion pulses.

[0087] FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D Shown based on Figure 7B The matrix 708 performs a simulation of the progress of ion ejection. [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0088] For example, Fig. 8A An exemplary implementation 800 of a first ion pulse associated with a first row 712-1 of a matrix 708 is shown, in which all channels 802 (e.g., channels 802-1 to 802-3) of an ion mobility separator are determined to be open. Channels 802 may be implemented by or similar to channels 216 of an ion mobility separator 202. As shown, a first channel 802-1 may be associated with a first column 710-1 of the matrix 708, such that the first channel 802-1 is open for a first ion pulse to allow a first ion packet 804-1 to be ejected from the first channel 802-1. A second channel 802-2 may be associated with a second column 710-2 of the matrix 708, such that the second channel 802-2 is open for a first pulse of ions to allow a second ion packet 804-2 to be ejected simultaneously from the second channel 802-2. The third channel 802-3 may be associated with the third column 710-3 of the matrix 708 such that the third channel 802-3 is open for the first ion pulse to allow the third ion packet 804-3 to be simultaneously ejected from the third channel 802-3.

[0089] Figure 8BAn exemplary implementation 806 of a second ion pulse associated with the second row 712-2 of the matrix 708 is shown such that the second channel 802-2 is open during the second ion pulse to allow the fourth ion packet 804-4 to be ejected from the second channel 802-2 while the first channel 802-1 and the third channel 802-3 are closed. Figure 8C An exemplary implementation 808 of a third ion pulse associated with the third row 712-3 of the matrix 708 is shown such that the first channel 802-1 is open during the third ion pulse to allow the fifth ion packet 804-5 to be ejected from the first channel 802-1 while the second channel 802-2 and the third channel 802-3 are closed. Fig.8D An exemplary implementation 810 of a fourth ion pulse associated with a fourth row 712-4 of the matrix 708 is shown such that the third channel 802-3 is open during the fourth ion pulse to allow ejection of a sixth ion packet 804-6 from the third channel 802-3 while the first channel 802-1 and the second channel 802-2 are closed.

[0090] Ions 804 may be ejected from channel 802 toward a mass analyzer (eg, mass analyzer 104) such that the mass analyzer may acquire a signal of the ejected ions 804. For example, the mass analyzer may be directed to FIG. 8A to FIG. 8D A signal is acquired for each of the four ion pulses depicted such that the mass analyzer can acquire four signals associated with the ejected ions 804. The signals acquired by the mass analyzer can be used to determine signals associated with ions 804 ejected from one or more channels 802 of the ion mobility separator (e.g., for each ion pulse).

[0091] As an illustrative example, Fig.9A Shown is a Figure 7B 802 associated with a channel 802. As shown, the matrix 900 includes a plurality of columns 902 (e.g., columns 902-1 to 902-3) corresponding to the columns 710 of the matrix 708 and a plurality of rows 904 (e.g., rows 904-1 to 904-4) corresponding to the rows 712 of the matrix 708. A total signal value representing the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each ion pulse can be assigned to each element 906 of the matrix 900 associated with the channel 802 being turned on (e.g., corresponding to the element 714 of the matrix 708 having the value "on"). Additionally, a value of "0" can be assigned to each element 906 of the matrix 900 associated with the channel 802 being turned off (e.g., corresponding to the element 714 of the matrix 708 having the value "off").

[0092] Fig. 9B Shows Fig.9AAnother exemplary embodiment 908 of the matrix 900, this another exemplary embodiment is used to deconvolve the signal to determine the signal associated with the ion ejected from the selection channel 802 (e.g., the first channel 802-1) of the ion mobility separator. As shown, the elements 906 of all rows 904 associated with the ion pulses in which the first channel 802-1 is turned on are added, and the elements 904 of all rows 904 associated with the ion pulses in which the first channel 802-1 is turned off are subtracted. For example, the first channel 802-1 is turned on during the first pulse and the third pulse, so the elements 906 associated with the first row 904-1 and the third row 904-3 are added (e.g., "+ signal"). The first channel 802-1 is closed during the second pulse and the fourth pulse, so the elements 906 associated with the second row 904-2 and the fourth row 904-4 are subtracted (e.g., "- signal").

[0093] Adding and subtracting signals in this manner results in isolating signals associated with ions 804 ejected from the first channel 802-1 from signals associated with ions 804 ejected from the second channel 802-2 and the third channel 802-3. For example, the addition of the first row 904-1 and the third row 904-2 and the subtraction of the second row 904-2 and the fourth row 904-4 results in a cumulative signal value that is twice the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the first column 902-1 associated with the first channel 802-1. The addition of the first row 904-1 and the third row 904-2 and the subtraction of the second row 904-2 and the fourth row 904-4 results in the second column 902-2 and the third column 902-3 associated with the second channel 802-2 and the third channel 802-3 having a value of "0" (e.g., such that the signals associated with the second channel 802-2 and the third channel 802-3 are eliminated). In some implementations, the signal associated with ions 804 ejected from first channel 802-1 for each ion pulse (eg, each row 904) is determined by dividing the accumulated signal value by the number of ion pulses for which first channel 802-1 is open (eg, two).

[0094] In some examples, such calculations may be repeated for one or more other channels 802 of the ion mobility separator. For example, to determine a signal associated with ions 804 ejected from the second channel 904-2, the first row 904-1 associated with the first ion pulse and the second row 904-2 associated with the second ion pulse are added, while the third row 904-3 is subtracted from the fourth row 802-4. Similarly, to determine a signal associated with ions 804 ejected from the third channel 904-3, the first row 904-1 associated with the first ion pulse and the fourth row 904-4 associated with the fourth ion pulse are added, and the same [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0095] Other suitable configurations for determining a signal associated with ions 804 ejected from a channel 802 of an ion mobility separator may also be used.

[0096] For illustration, in some examples, the ion mobility separator includes a greater number of channels so that additional ion pulses can be performed. As an example, Fig. 10A A specific implementation 1000 of a matrix is ​​shown that includes a Hadamard matrix having eight columns 1002 (eg, columns 1002-1 through 1002-8) and eight rows 1004 (eg, rows 1004-1 through 1004-8). Fig. 10B Also shown is an exemplary implementation 1006 of a matrix in which, based on Fig. 10A 1000, and the columns 1010 (e.g., columns 1010-1 to 1010-7) of the matrix are assigned to one of the multiple channels of the ion mobility separator, and the rows 1012 (e.g., rows 1012-1 to 1012-8) of the matrix are assigned to one of the multiple ion pulses. As shown, the matrix includes seven columns 1010 associated with seven channels of the ion mobility separator and eight rows 1012 associated with eight ion pulses. Based on the corresponding Hadamard matrix, for each ion pulse, different groups of channels can be opened or closed. In some examples, different groups of channels can be opened or closed based on any order or order of columns 1002 and / or rows 1004 of the Hadamard matrix 1000. Additionally, signals associated with channels in multiple channels can be determined based on the corresponding Hadamard matrix. Additional Hadamard matrices with orders increased by multiples of four can also be used to control the ion mobility separator.

[0097] In some examples, one or more of the processes described herein may be implemented at least in part as instructions embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium and executable by one or more computing devices. Typically, a processor (e.g., a microprocessor) receives instructions from a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory, etc.) and executes those instructions, thereby performing one or more processes, including one or more of the processes described herein. Any of a variety of known computer-readable media may be used to store and / or transmit such instructions.

[0098] Computer-readable media (also referred to as processor-readable media) include any non-transitory media that participates in providing data (e.g., instructions) that can be read by a computer (e.g., by a processor of a computer). Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media and / or volatile media. Non-volatile media can include, for example, optical or magnetic disks and other permanent storage. Volatile media can include, for example, dynamic random access memory ("DRAM"), which typically constitutes main memory. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, magnetic disks, hard disks, tapes, any other magnetic media, compact disk read-only memory ("CD-ROM"), digital video disks ("DVD"), any other optical media, random access memory ("RAM"), programmable read-only memory ("PROM"), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory ("EPROM"), FLASH-[TP118048CNSEC1]

[0099] EEPROM, any other memory chip or cartridge, or any other tangible medium that can be read by a computer.

[0100] Fig.11 An exemplary computing device 1100 is shown, which may be specifically configured to perform one or more of the processes described herein. Fig.11 As shown, computing device 1100 may include a communication interface 1102, a processor 1104, a storage device 1106, and an input / output ("I / O") module 1108 communicatively coupled to one another via a communication infrastructure 1110. Fig.11 An exemplary computing device 1100 is shown, but Fig.11 The components shown are not intended to be limiting. In other examples, additional or alternative components may be used. Fig.11 Components of computing device 1100 are shown.

[0101] The communication interface 1102 may be configured to communicate with one or more computing devices. Examples of the communication interface 1102 include, but are not limited to, a wired network interface (such as a network interface card), a wireless network interface (such as a wireless network interface card), a modem, an audio / video connection, and any other suitable interface.

[0102] The processor 1104 generally represents any type or form of processing unit capable of processing data and / or interpreting, executing and / or directing one or more of the instructions, processes and / or operations described herein. The processor 1104 may perform operations by executing computer-executable instructions 1112 (e.g., applications, software, code and / or other executable data instances) stored in the storage device 1106.

[0103] The storage device 1106 may include one or more data storage media, devices, or configurations, and may employ any type, form, and combination of data storage media and / or devices. For example, the storage device 1106 may include, but is not limited to, any combination of non-volatile media and / or volatile media described herein. Electronic data, including data described herein, may be temporarily and / or permanently stored in the storage device 1106. For example, data representing computer executable instructions 1112 configured to direct the processor 1104 to perform any of the operations described herein may be stored within the storage device 1106. In some examples, the data may be arranged in one or more databases residing within the storage device 1106.

[0104] The I / O module 1108 may include one or more I / O modules configured to receive user input and provide user output. One or more I / O modules may be used to receive input for a single virtual experience. The I / O module 1108 may include any hardware, firmware, software, or combination thereof that supports input and output capabilities. For example, the I / O module 1108 may include hardware and / or software for capturing user input, including but not limited to a keyboard or keypad, a touch screen component (e.g., a touch screen display), a receiver (e.g., an RF or infrared receiver), a motion sensor, and / or one or more input buttons.

[0105] I / O module 1108 may include one or more devices for presenting output to a user, including but not limited to [TP118048CNSEC1]

[0106] The I / O module 1108 may include, but is not limited to, a graphics engine, a display (e.g., a display screen), one or more output drivers (e.g., a display driver), one or more audio speakers, and one or more audio drivers. In some examples, the I / O module 1108 is configured to provide graphical data to the display for presentation to a user. The graphical data may represent, for example, one or more graphical user interfaces and / or any other graphical content that may serve a particular implementation.

[0107] In some examples, any of the systems, computing devices, and / or other components described herein may be implemented by computing device 1100. For example, storage facility 402 may be implemented by storage device 1106, and processing facility 404 may be implemented by processor 1104.

[0108] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that, although in the foregoing description, various illustrative examples have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it will be apparent that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional examples may be implemented, without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. For example, certain features of one example described herein may be combined with or substituted for features of another example described herein. Accordingly, the description and drawings should be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Claims

1. A system, comprising: one or more processors; and a memory storing executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the computing device to: opening a different set of channels of an ion mobility separator comprising a plurality of channels for each ion pulse comprised in a plurality of ion pulses based on a Hadamard algorithm, wherein during each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward a mass analyzer; obtaining, for each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses, a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions; as well as Based on the signals for the plurality of ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm, a signal associated with the ions ejected from a channel of the ion mobility separator is determined.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein opening the different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: Two or more of the plurality of channels are opened for each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein opening the different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: All channels of the plurality of channels are opened for an ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein opening the different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: Each of the plurality of channels is opened for 50% of the ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: The signals acquired by the mass analyzer for the plurality of ion pulses are deconvolved to isolate the signals associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein deconvolving the signal comprises: Each of the plurality of ion pulses [TP118048CNSEC1] will be opened by the mass analyzer for the channel adding the signals acquired by the ion pulses; and subtracting the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each of the plurality of ion pulses for which the channel is closed.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein opening the different groups of channels based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: Each channel of the plurality of channels is assigned to a column of a matrix, and each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses is assigned to a row of the matrix, such that each row of the matrix indicates whether each channel is open or closed for each ion pulse.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the matrix comprises a Hadamard matrix.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: The signal acquired by the mass analyser for each ion pulse is assigned to each element of the matrix associated with an open channel for the corresponding ion pulse.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm further comprises: summing the signals of all rows of the matrix associated with selected channels of the ion mobility separator being open; and subtracting the signals of all rows of the matrix associated with the selected channel of the ion mobility separator being closed.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein a number of ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses is a multiple of four.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein a number of ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses is greater than a number of channels of the ion mobility separator.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the instructions further cause the computing device to generate a mass spectrum representing the intensity of the ions as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions based on the signals associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator.

14. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, direct at least one processor of a computing device to: controlling an ion mobility separator based on a Hadamard algorithm to open different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator, the different groups of channels of the ion mobility separator comprising a plurality of channels for each ion pulse included in a plurality of ion pulses, [TP118048CNSEC1] wherein during each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the open channel are ejected toward a mass analyzer; obtaining, for each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses, a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions; as well as Based on the signals for the plurality of ion pulses and the Hadamard algorithm, a signal associated with the ions ejected from a channel of the ion mobility separator is determined.

15. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein controlling the ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: The ion mobility separator is controlled to open two or more channels of the plurality of channels for each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein controlling the ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: The ion mobility separator is controlled to open all channels of the plurality of channels for an ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 14, wherein controlling the ion mobility separator based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: The ion mobility separator is controlled to open each of the plurality of channels for 50% of the ion pulses in the plurality of ion pulses.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: The signals acquired by the mass analyzer for the plurality of ion pulses are deconvolved to isolate the signals associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the ion mobility separator.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, wherein deconvolving the signal comprises: summing the signals acquired by the mass analyzer for each of the plurality of ion pulses for which the channel is open; and subtracting the signal acquired by the mass analyzer for each of the plurality of ion pulses for which the channel is closed.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the instructions further direct the at least one processor to generate a mass spectrum representing the intensity of the ions as a function of the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions based on the signal, the signal separated from the ion mobility [TP118048CNSEC1] is associated with the ions ejected from the channel of the device.

21. A system, comprising: an ion mobility separator comprising a plurality of channels, wherein each channel of the plurality of channels is configured to accumulate ions according to a mobility of the ions; a mass analyzer configured to generate a signal based on ions ejected from the plurality of channels and detected by the mass analyzer; and At least one computing device communicatively coupled to the ion mobility separator and the mass analyzer and configured to perform a process comprising the steps of: opening a different set of channels of the ion mobility separator for each ion pulse included in a plurality of ion pulses based on a Hadamard algorithm, wherein during each ion pulse in the plurality of ion pulses, ions accumulated in the opened channels are ejected toward the mass analyzer; obtaining, for each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses, a signal acquired by the mass analyzer for the ejected ions; as well as Based on the signals for the plurality of ion pulses and based on the Hadamard algorithm, a signal associated with the ions ejected from a channel of the ion mobility separator is determined.

22. The system of claim 21 , wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm comprises: Each channel of the plurality of channels is assigned to a column of a matrix, and each ion pulse of the plurality of ion pulses is assigned to a row of the matrix, such that each row of the matrix indicates whether each channel is open or closed for each ion pulse.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm further comprises: The signal acquired by the mass analyser for each ion pulse is assigned to each element of the matrix associated with an open channel corresponding to the ion pulse.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein determining the signal based on the Hadamard algorithm further comprises: summing the signals of all rows of the matrix associated with selected channels of the ion mobility separator being open; and will migrate with the ions [TP118048CNSEC1] The signals of all rows of the matrix to which the selected channel of the rate separator is associated are subtracted.

Images