Bandpass Collision Cell Prefiltering for Cleaner Tandem Mass Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mass spectrometry systems face contamination issues in tandem mass spectrometers, leading to performance degradation, sensitivity loss, and reduced ion transmission efficiency due to unwanted ions passing through the ion guide and mass analyzer, particularly in data-independent acquisition (DIA) modes like SWATH®, where high-vacuum components are affected by debris buildup.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a multipole ion guide as a mass filter or prefilter to configure wider ion mass selection windows, allowing for enhanced ion transmission bandwidth and window settings that prefilter ions before they reach the downstream mass analyzer, thereby reducing contamination and maintaining instrument sensitivity and coverage of the precursor ion mass range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a mass filter is positioned upstream of the mass analyzer to reduce contamination, then contamination of the mass analyzer is reduced, but the speed at which MRM measurements can be made is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontamination of mass analyzerVSAvoidspeed of MRM measurements

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The upstream mass filter performs preliminary filtering of ions before they reach the downstream mass analyzer. By pre-selecting ions within a bandpass window upstream, the system reduces contamination of the downstream analyzer while maintaining measurement speed through optimized ion transmission pathways and reduced refilling time requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the bandpass window of the upstream mass filter is adjusted to allow transmission of the next precursor ion, then the mass analyzer can select the next precursor ion, but the bandpass filter needs to be refilled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to select different precursor ionsVSAvoidrefilling time of mass filter

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic scanning of the bandpass window across the mass spectrum, systematically moving the transmission window to cover different m/z ranges. This periodic action allows the upstream mass filter to sequentially transmit different precursor ions to the downstream analyzer, achieving comprehensive coverage while minimizing idle refilling time through optimized scanning protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

3Quantity of substance

If wider ion mass selection windows are used in DIA mode, then more precursor ions can be transmitted, but contamination of high-vacuum components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of precursor ions transmittedVSAvoidcontamination of high-vacuum components

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The mass filtering function is segmented into two stages: an upstream mass filter operating at higher pressure that performs initial broad-band ion selection, and a downstream mass analyzer operating in high vacuum that performs precise mass analysis. This segmentation allows the upstream filter to transmit multiple precursor ions through its bandpass window while the downstream analyzer maintains a narrow transmission window, thereby increasing ion throughput while preventing contamination of high-vacuum components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively reduces contamination in tandem mass spectrometers, maintaining sensitivity and transmission efficiency while covering the precursor ion mass range of interest, thereby improving the robustness and accuracy of mass spectrometry analysis.

Implementation Method 1

a first mass filter for receiving a plurality of precursor ions, having a transmission bandwidth configured to allow transmission of ions having m/z ratios within a desired range

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon filtering by mass-to-charge ratio:

Implementation Method 2

a second mass filter disposed downstream of the first mass filter for selecting ions having a target m/z value within a transmission window thereof for mass analysis

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic ion selection:

Data Source

PatentUS20240234123A1Method of Performing MS/MS of High Intensity Ion Beams Using a Bandpass Filtering Collision Cell to Enhance Mass Spectrometry Robustness

Publication Date: 2024.07.11 DH TECH DEVMENT PTE

AI summary

A mass spectrometer comprises a first mass filter for receiving a plurality of ions and having a transmission bandwidth configured to allow transmission of ions having m/z ratios within a desired range, and a second mass filter that is disposed downstream of the first mass filter for selecting ions having a target m/z value within a transmission window thereof for mass analysis. The transmission bandwidth of the first mass filter encompasses at least two m/z ratios of interest such that one of said m/z ratios corresponds to said target m/z value within the transmission window of said second mass filter.