Electrospray-based ionization device and method

Abstract

The invention provides an ionization device and method based on electrospray, the ionization device based on electrospray comprises an electrospray module and a mobile platform, and a fixed seat is arranged on the mobile platform; the first gear is arranged on the fixed seat and is driven by the first motor; the second gear is fixed on the first rotating module and is meshed with the first gear; the first rotating module is arranged on the fixed seat; the bearing module is arranged on the first rotating module, is used for bearing the electrospray module and is fixed on the first rotating module; the second rotating module is arranged on the first rotating module, the electric conductor is arranged on the second rotating module, and when the second motor drives the second rotating module to rotate, the electric conductor is in contact with the conductive probe. The device has the advantages of automation, simple structure and the like.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to ionization, and particularly to an ionization device and method based on electrospray. Background Art

[0002] Currently, mass spectrometry has extremely wide applications in the fields of environmental detection, clinical analysis, organic synthesis, drug research and development, proteins, and metabolomics. The current electrospray devices of mass spectrometers usually have the following technical problems: 1. They are all manually loaded structures and cannot meet continuous automated testing.

[0003] 2. The positions of the electrospray needle tip and the mass spectrometry cone opening cannot be accurately adjusted automatically, reducing the quality of the electrospray ejected into the cone opening.

[0004] 3. In the grasping of the electrospray module, an electro-gripper in an opening and closing form is usually used, with low position accuracy and unable to achieve automatic centering; such as the applicant's previous patent application CN 2021116684044.

[0005] 4. The power-on effect of the electrospray module is not good, and it is difficult to form a stable ionization state. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To solve the deficiencies in the above-mentioned prior art solutions, the present invention provides an ionization device based on electrospray.

[0007] The object of the present invention is achieved through the following technical solutions: An ionization device based on electrospray, comprising an electrospray module and a moving platform, wherein the moving platform is used to drive the three-dimensional movement of the electrospray module. The electrospray module includes a capillary, a base, and a conductive probe. The capillary is inserted into the base, and the outer diameter of the base is greater than the outer diameter of the capillary. The ionization device based on electrospray further includes: A fixed seat, which is arranged on the moving platform; A first motor and a first gear, the first gear is arranged on the fixed seat and is driven by the first motor; A first rotation module and a second gear, the second gear is fixed on the first rotation module and meshes with the first gear; the first rotation module is arranged on the fixed seat; A bearing module, which is fixed on the first rotation module and is used to bear the electrospray module; A second motor and a second rotation module, the second rotation module is arranged on the first rotation module, and a conductor is arranged on the second rotation module. When the second motor drives the second rotation module to rotate, the conductor contacts the conductive probe.

[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrospray-based ionization method, and this object of the invention is achieved by the following technical solutions: An electrospray-based ionization method, wherein the ionization method based on the electrospray module includes the steps of: (S1) Place the electrospray module in the carrier module, the carrier module is arranged on the first rotation module, and the first rotation module is arranged on the fixed seat; The electrospray module includes a capillary, a base and a conductive probe. The capillary is inserted into the base, the outer diameter of the base is larger than the outer diameter of the capillary, and the conductive probe is inserted into the capillary; (S2) Drive the second rotation module to rotate forward so that the conductor on the second rotation module contacts the conductive probe in the electrospray module; (S3) The moving platform drives the fixed seat so that the outlet of the capillary of the electrospray module is at the inlet cone opening, the conductive probe discharges to form an electrospray, the substance in the capillary is ionized, and the ions enter the inlet cone opening; (S4) The moving platform drives the fixed seat to reach above the collection box; Drive the second rotation module to rotate reversely, and the conductor disengages from the conductive probe; (S5) The first gear on the fixed seat rotates, driving the second gear on the first rotation module, so that the first rotation module rotates, the carrier module tilts, and the electrospray module slides off automatically and enters the collection box.

[0009] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows: 1. Automation and high ionization efficiency; The placement, electrical conduction, three-dimensional movement to the cone opening and unloading of the electrospray module are all completed automatically. For example, when moving to the cone opening, the relative positions of the capillary end and the cone opening are obtained by using a camera, and then three-dimensional movement is performed using the moving platform with high adjustment accuracy, thereby improving the ionization efficiency; The combination of the carbon steel round tube in the electrospray module and the magnet on the fixed seat is used to position the electrospray module and improve the positioning accuracy of the electrospray module; 2. Simple structure; The three-dimensional movement of the moving platform, including multiple guide rails, driving wheels and driven wheels, etc. are all conventional components; multiple rotation modules are also conventional components. Combining these conventional components together realizes the automation of the placement, electrical conduction, three-dimensional movement to the cone opening and unloading of the electrospray module; Macroscopic lenses take pictures at multiple angles, the images are recognized using algorithms, and then the positions of the X, Y, and Z axes are automatically adjusted to achieve precise and stable positioning from the ion source tip to the mass spectrometry cone opening; 3. High positioning accuracy; A three-stage bearing part is arranged on the moving part, enabling the electrospray module to easily enter and be carried by the smaller-inner-diameter section, with the base being within the larger-inner-diameter section, improving the positioning accuracy; The conductive probe passes through the guiding hole and is press-fitted and clamped, making it not easy to loosen or fall off; Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] Referring to the accompanying drawings, the disclosure of the present invention will become more readily understandable. It is easily understood by those skilled in the art that these drawings are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the protection scope of the present invention. In the figures: Figure 1 is a schematic structural diagram of an ionization device based on electrospray according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an ion source consumable according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a fixed seat and a rotation module according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic cross-sectional structural view of a fixed seat and a rotation module according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic structural diagram of a moving platform according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a grasping unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is another state schematic diagram of a grasping unit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a schematic structural diagram of a moving part according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a deformable part according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the material loss state of a fixed seat and a rotation module according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Embodiments

[0011] Figures 1-10 The following description and the following illustrate alternative specific embodiments of the present invention to teach those skilled in the art how to implement and reproduce the present invention. To teach the technical solutions of the present invention, some conventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled in the art should understand that variations or substitutions derived from these specific embodiments will fall within the scope of the present invention. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following features can be combined in various ways to form multiple variations of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is not limited to the following alternative specific embodiments but is defined only by the claims and their equivalents.

[0012] Embodiment 1

[0013] The ionization device based on electrospray in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as Figure 1 shown, the electrospray module device includes: The moving platform 50 is used to provide three-dimensional movement, such as in the vertical direction, left and right direction, and front and back direction; As Figure 2 shown, the ion source consumable 11 includes a capillary 12, a base 13, and a conductive probe 16. The capillary 12 is inserted into the base 13, and the outer diameter of the base 13 is greater than the outer diameter of the capillary 13; The fixing seat 31 is arranged on the moving platform 50; As Figure 3 shown, the first gear 34 is arranged on the fixing seat 31 and is driven by the first motor 32; The second gear 35 is fixed on the first rotating module 36 and meshes with the first gear 34; the first rotating module 36 is arranged on the fixing seat 31; The carrying module 37 is arranged on the first rotating module 36 and is used to carry the ion source consumable 11; The second motor 33 and the second rotating module 38. The second rotating module 38 is arranged on the first rotating module 36, and the conductor 39 is arranged on the second rotating module 38. When the second motor 33 drives the second rotating module 38 to rotate, the conductor 39 contacts the conductive probe 16.

[0014] In order to automatically place the ion source consumable 11, further, the carrying module 37 includes: A groove. The lower side of the groove has an opening allowing the capillary 12 to pass through. The width of the opening is less than the outer diameter of the base 13. The groove has a wider part 372 and a narrower part 371 arranged vertically; An extension part 373. Both sides of the wider part 372 respectively have upward extension parts 373. The distance between the two extension parts 373 is not less than the outer diameter of the smaller part 131 of the base 13 and less than the outer diameter of the larger part 132 of the base 13.

[0015] In order to position the ion source consumable 11, further, as Figure 2 shown, the electrospray module 11 further includes a carbon steel round tube 14. The carbon steel round tube 14 is arranged in the base 13; as Figure 4 shown, a magnet 19 for adsorbing the carbon steel round tube 14 is arranged on the fixing seat 31.

[0016] In order to provide three-dimensional movement with a simple structure, as Figure 5 shown, the moving platform 50 includes: The bottom plate 91 is arranged on the first guide rail 51 and translates forward or backward along the first guide rail 51 under the drive of the motor; The second guide rail 52 is arranged on the bottom plate 91, and the third guide rail 53 is arranged on the second guide rail 52; The carrier plate 54 is arranged on the third guide rail 53, and the fixed seat 31 is arranged on the carrier plate 54; The first driving wheel 61 and the second driving wheel 62 driven by the motor are arranged on the bottom plate 91 and are respectively on both sides of the second guide rail 52; A plurality of driven wheels, the first driven wheel 71 and the second driven wheel 72 are fixed on the bottom plate and are on both sides of the second guide rail 52, the third driven wheel 73 and the fourth driven wheel 74 are fixedly connected to one side of the third guide rail 53 and are on one side of the second guide rail 52, and the fifth driven wheel 75 and the sixth driven wheel 76 are fixedly connected to the other side of the third guide rail 53; The synchronous belt 81, the synchronous belt 81 sequentially bypasses the first driving wheel 61, the first driven wheel 71, the fourth driven wheel 74, the sixth driven wheel 76, the second driven wheel 72, the second driving wheel 62, the fifth driven wheel 75, the third driven wheel 73 and the first driving wheel 61, and the carrier plate 54 is connected to the synchronous belt 81 between the fourth driven wheel 74 and the fifth driven wheel 75.

[0017] In order to recycle the used ion source consumables 11, further, as Figure 1 shown, the upper end of the recycling box 82 is open and is arranged on the bottom plate 91.

[0018] In order to automatically grasp the ion source consumables 11, further, as Figures 6-7 shown, the electrospray-based ionization device further includes a grasping unit, and the grasping unit includes: A fixed support 21, the fixed support 21 is arranged on the three-dimensional robotic arm; The guide rail 22 and the driving module 85, the guide rail 22 and the driving module 85 are arranged on the fixed support 21; A moving member 41, the moving member 41 is arranged on the guide rail 22 and moves forward or backward along the guide rail 22 under the drive of the driving module 85; As Figure 8 shown, the moving member 41 includes an opening 434 and a carrying portion communicating with the opening 434 for carrying the electrospray module 11, the carrying portion includes an inner diameter decreasing section 431, an inner diameter larger section 432 and an inner diameter smaller section 433 arranged in sequence, the opening 434 allows the capillary 12 to pass through, the inner diameter larger section 432 allows the base 13 to enter, and the inner diameter smaller section 433 allows the capillary 12 to pass through and blocks the base 13; The fixed support 21 has a first gas channel, and a capillary 12 of the ion source consumable 11 in the bearing part communicates with the first gas channel.

[0019] For conveniently grasping the electrospray module 11, further, as Figure 8 shown, the moving member 41 includes a first part 42 and a second part 43. The first part 42 is arranged on the guide rail 22, the second part 43 is connected to the first part 42 and is perpendicular to the first part 42, and the bearing part is arranged on the second part 43.

[0020] For achieving sealing to improve the ventilation effect, further, the electrospray module 11 further includes: a deformable member 15, as Figure 9 shown, the deformable member 15 includes an annular part 152, a body 151 and a cylindrical part 153. A second gas channel 154 is provided inside the body 151, and a guiding hole 155 allowing a conductive probe 16 to pass through is provided in the second gas channel 154. The annular part 152 is at one end of the body 151, and the cylindrical part 153 is at the other end of the body 151.

[0021] As Figure 2 shown, the cylindrical part 153 is snapped into the base 13, the body 151 and the annular part 152 are exposed outside the base 13. The capillary 12 passes through the base 13, the cylindrical part 153 and the body 151 and communicates with the second gas channel 154. The conductive probe 16 passes through the guiding hole 155 and enters the capillary 12.

[0022] For improving the positioning accuracy and the sealing effect, further, the fixed support 21 has an annular groove surrounding the outlet of the first gas channel 152, the annular groove allows the annular part to enter, and the central axis of the annular groove and the central axis of the bearing part are collinear.

[0023] For improving the sealing effect between the deformable member 15 and the base 13, further, the outer side of the cylindrical part 153 has a plurality of annular protrusions 156 snapped into the base 13.

[0024] The ionization method based on electrospray in the embodiment of the present invention, that is, the working method of the ionization device in this embodiment, the ionization method based on the electrospray module includes the steps of: (S1) Placing the ion source consumable 11 in the bearing module 37, the bearing module 37 is arranged on the first rotation module 36, and the first rotation module 36 is arranged on the fixed seat 31; (S2) Driving the second rotation module 38 to rotate forward so that the conductor 39 on the second rotation module 38 contacts the conductive probe 16 in the electrospray module 11; (S3) The mobile platform 50 drives the fixed seat 31 so that the outlet of the capillary 12 of the ion source consumable 11 is at the sampling cone opening. The conductive probe 16 discharges to form an electrospray, the substances in the capillary 12 are ionized, and the ions enter the sampling cone opening. (S4) The mobile platform 50 drives the fixed seat 31 to reach the upper side of the collection box 82. Drive the second rotation module 38 to rotate in the reverse direction, and the conductor 39 disengages from the conductive probe 16. (S5) The first gear 34 on the fixed seat 31 rotates to drive the second gear 35 on the first rotation module 36, so that the first rotation module 36 rotates, and the carrying module 37 inclines, that is, the smaller-width part 371 of the groove is on the upper side and the larger-width part 372 is on the lower side. As Figure 10 shown, the electrospray module 11 automatically slides down and enters the collection box 82 to achieve automatic recovery.

[0025] In order to place the ion source consumable 11 automatically, further, in step (S1), the method of placing the ion source consumable 11 is as follows: The ion source consumable 11 is fixed on the moving part of the grasping unit. The robotic arm moves the grasping unit above the inclined carrying module 37 and moves downward so that the smaller-diameter part 131 of the base 13 of the ion source consumable 11 enters between the two extension parts 373, and the larger-diameter part 132 of the base 13 is on the upper side of the extension parts 373. The driving module 85 of the grasping unit drives the moving part 41 to move downward. The larger-diameter part 132 is blocked by the extension parts 373 until the ion source consumable 11 disengages from the moving part 41. The electrospray module 11 falls by itself between the two extension parts 373, enters the groove of the carrying module 37, and moves downward along the groove. The capillary 12 passes through the opening on the lower side of the groove.

[0026] In order to achieve precise positioning, further, an iron round tube 14 is arranged in the base 13, and a magnet 19 is arranged on the fixed seat 31. The ion source consumable 11 in the carrying module 37 is positioned by the adsorption force between the magnet 19 and the carbon steel round tube 14.

[0027] The grasping method of the ion source consumable is as follows: Driven by the driving module 85, the moving part 41 moves forward along the guide rail 22, and the guide rail 22 is arranged on the fixed support 21. As Figure 6 shown, move the moving part 41. The capillary 12 passes through the opening 434 on the moving part 41 and enters the smaller-inner-diameter section 433, and the base 13 enters the larger-inner-diameter section 432 and is blocked by the smaller-inner-diameter section 433. As shown Figure 7 In the figure, under the drive of the drive module 85, the moving member 41 moves in the reverse direction along the guide rail 22, one end of the ion source consumable 11 contacts the fixed support 21 and is sealed, and the first gas channel in the fixed support 21 communicates with the capillary 12.

[0028] Example 2

[0029] An application example of the electrospray-based ionization device and method according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in single-cell detection.

[0030] In this application example, as shown Figure 1 In the figure, the first guide rail 51 is vertically arranged, two second guide rails 52 are horizontally arranged front and back, and two third guide rails 53 are horizontally arranged left and right. The fixed seat 31 is arranged on the carrier plate 54, and the carrier plate 54 is arranged on the third guide rail 53 and translates along the third guide rail 53 under drive.

[0031] As shown Figure 9 In the figure, the deformable member 15 is made of silica gel. The second gas channel 154 is provided inside the main body 151. The guiding hole 155 allowing the conductive probe 16 to pass through is provided in the second gas channel 154. The annular portion 152 is at one end of the main body 151, the cylindrical portion 153 is at the other end of the main body 151. A plurality of annular protrusions 156 are on the outer side of the cylindrical portion 153. The lower end opening 157 of the cylindrical portion 153 is in a flared shape, which is convenient for the capillary 12 to be inserted. The fixed support 21 has a first gas channel. The annular groove surrounding the opening of the first gas channel is provided on the side wall of the fixed support 21. The annular groove allows the annular portion 152 to be snapped in to achieve sealing.

[0032] As shown Figure 2 In the figure, the base 13 includes a portion 132 with a larger outer diameter and a portion 131 with a smaller outer diameter. The cylindrical portion 153 is snapped into the base 13, squeezing the carbon steel round tube 14 inside the base 13. The main body 151 and the annular portion 152 are exposed outside the base 13. The capillary 12 passes through the base 13, the cylindrical portion 153 and the main body 151 and communicates with the second gas channel 154. The central axis of the guiding hole 155 and the central axis of the capillary 12 are collinear. The conductive probe 15 passes through the guiding hole 155 and enters the capillary 12. The spherical conductive body 17 is fixed at one end of the conductive probe 16 and is inside the annular portion 152.

[0033] As shown Figure 5As shown, in the mobile platform 50, the first driving wheel 61, the second driving wheel 62, the first driven wheel 71 and the second driven wheel 72 are respectively fixed on the bottom plate 91. Among them, the first driving wheel 61 and the first driven wheel 1 are on the left side of the two second guide rails 52, and the second driving wheel 62 and the second driven wheel 72 are arranged on the right side of the second guide rail 52; the third driven wheel 73 and the fourth driven wheel 74 are respectively fixedly connected to the front side and the rear side of the third guide rail 53 and are on the left side of the third guide rail 53, and the fifth driven wheel 75 and the sixth driven wheel 76 are respectively fixedly connected to the front side and the rear side of the third guide rail 53 and are on the right side of the third guide rail 53. The synchronous belt 81 sequentially bypasses the first driving wheel 61, the first driven wheel 71, the fourth driven wheel 74, the sixth driven wheel 76, the second driven wheel 72, the second driving wheel 62, the fifth driven wheel 75, the third driven wheel 73 and the first driving wheel 61, and the carrier plate 54 is connected to the synchronous belt 81 between the fourth driven wheel 74 and the fifth driven wheel 75.

[0034] When the first driving wheel 61 rotates counterclockwise and the second driving wheel 62 rotates clockwise, the synchronous belt 81 drags the third guide rail 53 to translate forward along the second guide rail 52, that is, drives the carrier plate 54 and the fixed seat 31 to move forward; When the first driving wheel 61 rotates clockwise and the second driving wheel 62 rotates counterclockwise, the synchronous belt 81 drags the third guide rail 53 to translate backward along the second guide rail 52, that is, drives the carrier plate 54 and the fixed seat 31 to move backward; When the first driving wheel 61 and the second driving wheel 62 both rotate counterclockwise, the synchronous belt 81 drags the carrier plate 54 to move left along the third guide rail 53; When the first driving wheel 61 and the second driving wheel 62 both rotate clockwise, the synchronous belt 81 drags the carrier plate 54 to move right along the third guide rail 53.

[0035] As Figures 3-4 shown, a magnet is provided on the fixed seat 31 for adsorbing the carbon steel round tube 14 of the electrospray module 11 in the carrier module 37. The first motor 32 is arranged on the fixed seat 31 for driving the first gear 34 to rotate. The first rotating module 36 is arranged on the fixed seat 31, and the second gear 35 is fixed on the first rotating module 36. When the first gear 34 with a smaller outer diameter drives the second gear with a larger outer diameter, the first rotating module 36 rotates in place around the central axis of the second gear 35.

[0036] The carrier module 37 is fixed on the first rotating module 36. The groove includes a wider part 372 that accommodates the larger-diameter part 132 of the outer diameter of the base 13 and a narrower part 371 that accommodates the smaller-diameter part 131 of the outer diameter of the base 13. The end of the narrower part 371 has an opening that allows the capillary 12 to pass through, and this opening blocks the base 13. On both sides of the wider part 372, there are respectively extension parts 373. The distance between the two extension parts 373 is not less than the outer diameter of the smaller-diameter part 131 of the outer diameter of the base 13, but less than the outer diameter of the larger-diameter part 132, blocking the complete passage of the ion source consumable 11.

[0037] The second motor 33 is arranged on the first rotating module 36, and the second rotating module 38 is arranged on the first rotating module 36. When the second motor 33 drives the second rotating module 38 to rotate, the conductor 39 contacts and disengages from the conductive probe 16 of the ion source consumable 11.

[0038] As Figures 6-7 shown, a linear guide rail 22 is arranged on the fixed support 21. The driving module 85 includes a push rod electric motor 86 and a movable push rod 87, and the movable push rod 87 is connected to the first part 42 of the moving part 41.

[0039] As Figure 8 shown, the first part 42 and the second part 43 are vertically arranged, and the first part 42 is arranged on the guide rail 22. The second part 43 has an opening 434 and a bearing part. The bearing part includes a section 431 with a decreasing inner diameter (to facilitate the entry of the base 13 into the section 432 with a larger inner diameter), a section 432 with a larger inner diameter, and a section 433 with a smaller inner diameter. The section 432 with a larger inner diameter matches the base 13 of the electrospray module 11 (the difference between the inner diameter of the section 432 with a larger inner diameter and the outer diameter of the base 13 is small). The inner diameter of the section 432 with a smaller inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the capillary 12, but smaller than the outer diameter of the base 13, so that the section 433 with a smaller inner diameter blocks the base 13, that is, it limits the axial movement of the ion source 11. At the same time, the section 432 with a larger inner diameter limits the radial movement of the electrospray module 11. The width of the opening 434 is larger than the outer diameter of the capillary 12, but smaller than the outer diameter of the base 13, that is, it allows the capillary 12 to pass through, but blocks the base 13.

[0040] The ionization method based on electrospray in the embodiment of the present invention, that is, the working method of the ionization device in this embodiment, the ionization method based on the electrospray module includes the steps: Grasping stage: Driven by the driving module 85, the moving part 41 moves forward along the guide rail 22; As Figure 6 shown, the three-dimensional robotic arm moving and grasping unit enables the capillary 12 of the ion source consumable 11 to pass through the opening 434 on the moving part 41 and enter the section 433 with a smaller inner diameter and the section 432 with a larger inner diameter; As shown Figure 7 In the figure, under the drive of the drive module 85, the moving part 41 moves reversely along the guide rail 22, so that the base 13 enters the larger-diameter section 432 and is blocked by the smaller-diameter section 433; After that, the annular part 152 at one end of the ion source consumable 11 enters the annular groove on the side wall of the fixed support, and is deformed by extrusion, realizing the seal between the fixed support 21 and the ion source consumable 11. The first gas channel in the fixed support 21 is connected to the capillary 12 through the second gas channel 154.

[0041] Ionization stage: (S1) The three-dimensional robotic arm moving and grasping unit positions the grasping unit obliquely above the loading module 37, and at this time the loading module 37 is obliquely arranged; The grasping unit moves downwards, so that the smaller-diameter part 131 of the outer diameter of the base 13 of the ion source consumable 11 enters between the two extension parts 373, and the larger-diameter part 132 of the outer diameter of the base 13 is obliquely above the extension part 373; The drive module 85 drives the moving part 41 to move obliquely downwards, and the larger-diameter part 132 is blocked by the extension part 373 until the ion source consumable 11 is separated from the moving part 41; The ion source consumable 11 falls by itself between the two extension parts 373, enters the groove of the loading module 37, and moves down along the inclined groove. The capillary 12 passes through the opening on the lower side of the groove. The smaller-diameter part 131 is within the narrower part 371, and the larger-diameter part 132 is within the wider part 372. At the same time, under the adsorption of the magnet 19, the ion source consumable 11 is fixed in the loading module 37.

[0042] (S2) The second motor 33 drives the second rotating module 38 to rotate forward around its rotating shaft 302, so that the conductor 39 on the second rotating module 38 contacts the conductive probe 16 in the ion source consumable 11; (S3) The moving platform 50 drives the fixed seat 31, and under the monitoring of the camera on the fixed seat 31, the outlet of the capillary 12 of the electrospray module 11 is accurately positioned at the sampling cone opening. The conductive probe 16 discharges to form an electrospray, the substance in the capillary 12 is ionized, and the ions enter the sampling cone opening; The working mode of the moving platform 50 is as follows: When the first driving wheel 61 rotates clockwise and the second driving wheel 62 rotates counterclockwise, the synchronous belt 81 drags the third guide rail 53 to translate backward along the second guide rail 52, that is, drives the bearing plate 54 and the fixed seat 31 to move backward; When the first driving wheel 61 and the second driving wheel 62 both rotate counterclockwise, the synchronous belt 81 drags the bearing plate 54 to move left along the third guide rail 53; When the first driving wheel 61 and the second driving wheel 62 both rotate clockwise, the timing belt 81 drags the bearing plate 54 to move rightward along the third guide rail 53.

[0043] (S4)The moving platform 50 drives (in the same manner as the previous step) the fixed seat 31 to reach the upper side of the collection box 82; The second motor 33 drives the second rotating module 38 to rotate in the reverse direction, and the conductor 39 disengages from the conductive probe 16 to prevent the conductor 39 from blocking the ion source 11 during recycling. (S5)The first gear 34 on the fixed seat 31 rotates to drive the second gear 35 on the first rotating module 36, causing the first rotating module 36 to rotate in place around its rotating shaft 301 (the central axis of the rotating shaft 301 and the central axis of the second gear 35 are collinear), and the bearing module 37 is tilted, that is, the smaller-width part 371 of the groove is on the upper side and the larger-width part 372 is on the lower side. As Figure 10 shown, the ion source consumable 11 automatically slides down in the groove and enters the collection box 82, realizing automatic recycling.

[0044] According to the technical solution of this embodiment, the grasping, placement, three-dimensional movement, electrical conduction, ionization, and recycling of the ion source consumable 11 are all automated, without manual operation, significantly improving the ionization efficiency.

Claims

1. An electrospray-based ionization device, comprising an electrospray module and a moving platform, the moving platform being configured to drive the electrospray module to move three-dimensionally, the electrospray module including a capillary, a base, and a conductive probe, the capillary being inserted into the base, the outer diameter of the base being greater than the outer diameter of the capillary; characterized in that, The electrospray-based ionization device further includes: A fixed seat, which is arranged on the moving platform; A first motor and a first gear, the first gear is arranged on the fixed seat and is driven by the first motor; A first rotating module and a second gear, the second gear is fixed on the first rotating module and meshes with the first gear; the first rotating module is arranged on the fixed seat; A carrying module, the carrying module is fixed on the first rotating module and is used to carry the electrospray module; A second motor and a second rotating module, the second rotating module is arranged on the first rotating module, and a conductor is arranged on the second rotating module. When the second motor drives the second rotating module to rotate, the conductor contacts the conductive probe.

2. The electrospray-based ionization device according to claim 1, wherein The carrying module includes: A groove, the lower side of the groove has an opening allowing the capillary to pass through, the width of the opening is smaller than the outer diameter of the base, and the groove has a wider part and a narrower part arranged vertically; An extension part, both sides of the wider part respectively have upward extension parts, and the distance between the two extension parts is not less than the outer diameter of the smaller part of the base and is smaller than the outer diameter of the larger part of the base.

3. The ionization device based on electrospray according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrospray module further includes a carbon steel round tube, the carbon steel round tube is arranged in the base; a magnet for adsorbing the carbon steel round tube is arranged on the fixed seat.

4. The ionization device based on electrospray according to claim 1, characterized in that, The moving platform includes: A first guide rail and a bottom plate, the bottom plate is arranged on the first guide rail and translates forward or backward along the first guide rail under the drive of a motor; A second guide rail and a third guide rail, the second guide rail is arranged on the bottom plate, and the third guide rail is arranged on the second guide rail; A carrying plate, the carrying plate is arranged on the third guide rail, and the fixed seat is arranged on the carrying plate; A first driving wheel and a second driving wheel, the first driving wheel and the second driving wheel are arranged on the bottom plate and are respectively on both sides of the second guide rail; A plurality of driven wheels, a first driven wheel and a second driven wheel are fixed on the bottom plate and are on both sides of the second guide rail, a third driven wheel and a fourth driven wheel are fixedly connected to one side of the third guide rail and are on one side of the second guide rail, and a fifth driven wheel and a sixth driven wheel are fixedly connected to the other side of the third guide rail; A synchronous belt, the synchronous belt sequentially bypasses the first driving wheel, the first driven wheel, the fourth driven wheel, the sixth driven wheel, the second driven wheel, the second driving wheel, the fifth driven wheel, the third driven wheel and the first driving wheel, and the carrying plate is connected to the synchronous belt between the fourth driven wheel and the fifth driven wheel.

5. The electrospray-based ionization device according to claim 4, wherein, The electrospray-based ionization device further includes: A recycling box, the upper end of the recycling box is open and is arranged on the bottom plate.

6. The ionization device based on electrospray according to claim 2, wherein, The electrospray-based ionization device further includes a grasping unit, and the grasping unit includes: A fixed support and a driving module, the driving module is arranged on the fixed support; A moving part that moves forward or backward under the drive of the drive module; the moving part includes an opening and a bearing part communicating with the opening for bearing the electrospray module. The bearing part includes an inner diameter decreasing section, an inner diameter larger section, and an inner diameter smaller section arranged in sequence. The opening allows the capillary to pass through, the inner diameter larger section allows the base to enter, and the inner diameter smaller section allows the capillary to pass through and blocks the base; The fixed support has a first gas channel, and the capillary of the consumable in the bearing part communicates with the first gas channel.

7. The electrospray-based ionization device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electrospray module further includes: A deformable part, which includes an annular part, a body, and a cylindrical part. The body has a second gas channel inside, and a guiding hole allowing a conductive probe to pass through is provided in the second gas channel. The annular part is at one end of the body, and the cylindrical part is at the other end of the body. The cylindrical part is snapped into the base. The capillary passes through the base, the cylindrical part, and the body and communicates with the second gas channel. The conductive probe passes through the guiding hole and enters the capillary.

8. An ionization method based on electrospray. The ionization method based on the electrospray module includes the steps of: (S1) Place the electrospray module in the bearing module. The bearing module is arranged on the first rotation module, and the first rotation module is arranged on the fixed seat; The electrospray module includes a capillary, a base, and a conductive probe. The capillary is inserted into the base. The outer diameter of the base is larger than the outer diameter of the capillary, and the conductive probe is inserted into the capillary; (S2) Drive the second rotation module to rotate forward so that the conductor on the second rotation module contacts the conductive probe in the electrospray module; (S3) The moving platform drives the fixed seat so that the outlet of the capillary of the electrospray module is at the sample introduction cone opening. The conductive probe discharges to form an electrospray, the substance in the capillary is ionized, and the ions enter the sample introduction cone opening; (S4) The moving platform drives the fixed seat to reach above the collection box; Drive the second rotation module to rotate backward, and the conductor disengages from the conductive probe; (S5) The first gear on the fixed seat rotates, driving the second gear on the first rotation module, so that the first rotation module rotates, the bearing module tilts, and the electrospray module slides off automatically and enters the collection box.

9. The electrospray-based ionization method according to claim 8, wherein, In step (S1), the method of placing the electrospray module is as follows: The electrospray module is fixed on the moving part of the grasping unit. The robotic arm moves the grasping unit above the inclined bearing module and moves downward so that the smaller outer diameter part of the base of the electrospray module enters between the two outer extensions, and the larger outer diameter part of the base is above the outer extensions; The drive module of the grasping unit drives the moving part to move downward. The larger outer diameter part is blocked by the outer extensions until the electrospray module disengages from the moving part; The electrospray module falls freely from between the two outer extensions, enters the groove of the bearing module, and moves downward along the groove. The capillary passes through the opening on the lower side of the groove.

10. The electrospray-based ionization method according to claim 9, wherein A carbon steel round tube is arranged inside the base, and a magnet is arranged on the fixed seat. The electrospray module in the bearing module is positioned by using the adsorption force between the magnet and the carbon steel round tube.

Images