Atmospheric Pressure Ion Source Probe for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometers lack flexibility and are limited to analyzing primarily liquid effluents, failing to effectively ionize volatile and less polar compounds, which are not efficiently ionized by existing ESI or APCI methods.
Innovation Solution
A direct solids/liquid introduction probe system that allows for the introduction of samples as solids, neat liquids, or materials into the ionization region of a mass spectrometer, using a heated gas stream for vaporization and subsequent ionization by electric discharge or photoionization, eliminating solvent interference and enabling the analysis of a broader range of compounds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ESI or APCI methods are used for ionization, then liquid effluents can be analyzed, but volatile and less polar compounds cannot be efficiently ionized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of the sample from liquid solution to vapor phase by using a heated gas stream to vaporize solids or neat liquids directly. This parameter change enables volatile and less polar compounds to be ionized efficiently, as they can now be introduced in a gaseous state suitable for discharge ionization rather than requiring liquid solution introduction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs phase transition by vaporizing the sample using a heated gas stream. The heating process transitions the sample from solid or liquid state to vapor phase, which then enters the discharge ionization region. This phase transition is critical for enabling the ionization of volatile compounds that were previously difficult to analyze by ESI or APCI methods.
2Ease of operation
If solvent is used for sample introduction, then liquid effluents can be ionized, but ionization of nonpolar analytes is hindered or prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the solvent from the sample introduction process by using a heated gas stream to vaporize solids or neat liquids directly. This eliminates the solvent that would otherwise hinder or prevent ionization of nonpolar analytes in ESI or APCI methods. The sample is introduced in a solvent-free vapor state, enabling efficient ionization of nonpolar compounds.
Solution Approach 2:
The heated gas stream serves as an intermediary medium that facilitates sample introduction without using solvent. The gas stream carries the vaporized sample into the ionization region, replacing the traditional solvent-based liquid effluent introduction method and enabling efficient ionization of nonpolar analytes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If direct solids/liquid introduction is implemented, then flexibility and analysis of diverse compounds is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal probe system that can handle multiple sample types (solids, liquids, neat liquids) through a single interface. The heated gas stream vaporization approach works for all these sample types, eliminating the need for separate introduction systems for different sample states. This multi-functionality reduces the overall complexity compared to having multiple specialized systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a heated gas stream (pneumatic approach) to transport and vaporize samples. This pneumatic system replaces complex mechanical or thermal introduction mechanisms with a simpler gas flow-based system that can handle various sample types uniformly, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining versatility.
4Reliability
If heated gas stream is used for vaporization, then thermal fragmentation is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a heated gas stream to vaporize samples, which is more energy-efficient than direct resistive heating of the sample. The gas stream transfers thermal energy convectively, allowing gentle and uniform heating that reduces thermal fragmentation. The moving gas stream carries the vaporized sample into the ionization region, combining transport and heating functions efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct thermal contact heating (mechanical/thermal system) with convective heating by a moving gas stream. This substitution reduces thermal fragmentation because the sample is heated by the flowing gas rather than direct contact with a hot surface, distributing the thermal energy more evenly and reducing localized overheating that causes fragmentation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach extends the range of analyzable compounds, enhances sensitivity, and reduces thermal fragmentation, allowing for the efficient ionization of volatile and less polar compounds that were previously difficult to detect, while maintaining compatibility with existing LC/MS instruments.
Implementation Method 1
introducing the analyte on the surface of a heat tolerant material into a heated nitrogen stream which may emanate from either a commercial ESI or APCI probe so that the analyte is vaporized
Implementation Method 2
subsequent ionization using either a discharge or photoionization
Implementation Method 3
a UV lamp for producing ions by photoionization
Data Source
AI summary
An ion source able to ionize both liquid and gaseous vapors from interfaced liquid separation techniques and a solids/liquid atmospheric pressure (AP) probe. The liquid effluents are ionized by electrospray ionization, photoionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and the vapors released from a probe device placed in a heated gas stream in the AP source are ionized by a corona or Townsend electrical discharge or photoionization. The source has the ability to ionize compounds from both liquid and solid sources, which facilitates ionization of volatile and semivolatile compounds by applying heat from a gas stream as well as highly non-volatile compounds infused by electrospray or separated by liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis.