Atmospheric Pressure Ionization Source for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers are inflexible and require significant modifications to switch between liquid chromatograph (LC) and gas chromatograph (GC) modes, limiting their ability to analyze a wide range of chemical compounds, particularly volatile and less polar compounds, and lack the advanced analytical capabilities of LC/MS instruments.
Innovation Solution
An atmospheric pressure ionization source that can ionize both liquid and gaseous effluents, incorporating a Townsend or corona discharge, photoionization, or electrospray ionization, and utilizing a dry purge gas and reactive gases to enhance ionization efficiency, allowing for rapid switching between LC/MS and GC/MS operations on a single instrument.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If atmospheric pressure ionization is used for GC/MS, then advanced LC/MS capabilities can be incorporated, but water and impurities in the ionization region reduce ionization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a dry purge gas (such as nitrogen or helium) into the ionization region to displace water vapor and other impurities. This creates an inert atmosphere that prevents unwanted ionization reactions with water and maintains stable, efficient ionization of the analyte compounds. The purge gas flows through the enclosure to continuously remove moisture and contaminants
2Adaptability or versatility
If a single instrument is used for both LC/MS and GC/MS, then flexibility is improved, but the instrument cannot easily switch between different effluent sources
Solution Approach 1:
The atmospheric pressure ionization source is designed with a universal interface that can accommodate both liquid chromatograph effluent (via ESI or APCI probes) and gas chromatograph effluent (directly into the discharge region). The enclosure and electrode configuration allow seamless operation with either source type without requiring instrument reconfiguration or breaking vacuum, enabling easy switching between LC/MS and GC/MS modes
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
Enables the analysis of a broader range of compounds with higher chromatographic resolution and sensitivity, incorporating advanced LC/MS features like accurate mass measurement and MSn capabilities in GC/MS operations, without the need for new instrumentation.
Implementation Method 1
an ionization arrangement for generating an electric discharge, such ionization arrangement being connected to a high voltage source
Implementation Method 2
an ionization arrangement for generating an electric discharge, such ionization arrangement being connected to a high voltage source
Implementation Method 3
a photoionization arrangement employing an ultraviolet (UV) lamp for producing ions by photoionization
Implementation Method 4
by electrospray ionization (ESI) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,297,499 (Fenn) and; U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,166 (Valaskovic)
Data Source
AI summary
An ion source able to ionize both liquid and gaseous effluents from interfaced liquid or gaseous separation techniques. The liquid effluents are ionized by electrospray ionization, photoionization or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization and the gaseous effluents from sources such as a gas chromatograph are ionized by a corona or Townsend electrical discharge or photoionization. The source has the ability to ionize compounds from both liquid and gaseous sources, which facilitates ionization of volatile compounds separated by gas chromatography, low volatility compounds separated by liquid chromatography, as well as highly non-volatile compounds infused by electrospray or separated by liquid chromatography or capillary electrophoresis.