Standard Calibration Solution for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing calibration solutions using serum as a solvent for mass spectrometry face challenges in removing endogenous substances, leading to inconsistent calibration and quality variations, which affect the precision of quantitative analysis.
Innovation Solution
A standard calibration solution comprising water, a non-alcoholic solvent (such as acetonitrile) mixed with a steroid hormone, where the solvent content is between 10% to 50% by volume, providing a stable and precise calibration for mass spectrometry devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If serum is used as the solvent of a calibrator, then the calibration can be performed with biological relevance, but it is difficult to completely remove endogenous substances and protein deterioration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the problematic components (endogenous substances and proteins) from the serum-based calibrator by using a synthetic serum substitute composition that mimics serum properties without containing the problematic biological materials. This allows retention of the beneficial serum-like matrix effects while eliminating the harmful endogenous substance interference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the calibrator solvent from real serum to a synthetic mixture containing specific chemicals (e.g., albumin, globulins, lipids) in controlled concentrations. This parameter change maintains the essential properties needed for calibration while eliminating biological variability and contamination issues.
2Reliability
If serum or plasma from animals is used, then calibration can be performed, but individual differences among animals and variations in quality among production lots occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a synthetic copy of serum that replicates its essential properties (protein content, lipid composition, osmolarity) without using actual animal serum. This copy maintains the necessary calibration characteristics while eliminating biological variability between different animal sources and production batches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent standardizes the composition parameters of the calibrator by using a defined synthetic mixture with controlled concentrations of various components, replacing the variable natural composition of animal serum. This ensures consistent calibration performance across different production lots.
3Measurement precision
If real serum is used as calibrator solvent, then biological matrix effects are maintained, but protein deterioration and endogenous substance interference occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful presence of endogenous substances in real serum into a benefit by using a synthetic serum substitute that provides controlled, consistent matrix effects without unwanted biological interference. The synthetic composition is designed to provide the necessary protein and lipid matrix while completely eliminating endogenous hormone interference.
Data Source
AI summary
A standard calibration solution includes water, a non-alcoholic solvent that is mixed with water, and a steroid hormone, and a content of the non-alcoholic solvent is 10% by volume or more and 50% by volume or less. The standard calibration solution is used for quantitative measurement using a mass spectrometry device.