Mass Spectrometer Amplifier Settling for Carry-Over Error Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass spectrometers face challenges in optimizing the detection of ions due to varying amplifier settling times, which can lead to carry-over errors from one m/z species to another, necessitating either excessively long or short settling times, thereby affecting measurement efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that includes a mass spectrometer with a current amplifier and a non-transitory computer-readable medium, where the amplifier current settles for a time determined by a threshold current, allowing for precise generation of signals from different subsets of ions focused by varying mass filter settings, thereby optimizing ion detection and reducing measurement time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed settling time is used for the amplifier, then carry over errors are reduced, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed settling time to a variable settling time that adapts to different ion current intensities. The system dynamically adjusts the settling duration based on the actual signal characteristics, allowing shorter settling times for low-intensity signals and longer settling times for high-intensity signals, thereby optimizing both accuracy and measurement speed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the settling time parameter according to the ion current intensity. The system changes the settling time parameter dynamically based on the detected signal level, using a threshold-based approach to determine whether to apply a short or long settling time, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and speed
2Productivity
If a short settling time is used, then measurement time is reduced, but carry over errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the settling time parameter based on the ion current intensity detected from the previous m/z species. When the ion current is below a threshold, a short settling time is applied to maintain high productivity. When the ion current exceeds the threshold, a longer settling time is applied to ensure detection accuracy, thus dynamically adjusting parameters to resolve the contradiction
3Reliability
If a long settling time is used, then detection accuracy is improved, but measurement time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the settling time duration based on real-time detection of ion current intensity. Instead of using a uniformly long settling time, the system applies long settling time only when necessary (when ion current exceeds threshold) and short settling time when sufficient, thereby maintaining detection accuracy while improving overall measurement efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the settling time parameter according to the detected ion current level. The system uses a threshold-based decision mechanism to change between short and long settling time parameters, optimizing the balance between detection accuracy and measurement efficiency for each m/z species
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer system including a non-transitory computer readable medium is described. The non-transitory computer readable medium includes instructions, which, when executed by one or more hardware processors, cause the mass spectrometer to allow an amplifier current to settle, for a time determined by a threshold current, between generating signals due to an ion current from the mass spectrometer's detector.