Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer Segment Subdivision
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional chromatograph mass spectrometers face challenges in achieving accurate quantitative analysis due to inadequate setting of segments, leading to shortened dwell times and reduced measurement reproducibility and sensitivity, especially when dealing with many compounds having retention times close to each other.
Innovation Solution
A chromatograph mass spectrometer with a compound table holding unit and a measurement condition information creating unit that determines segment boundaries to prevent overlapping elution time ranges, calculates dwell times, and performs segment subdivision to ensure dwell times meet minimum requirements, allowing for accurate data collection across segment boundaries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If segment boundaries are automatically set based on retention time intervals between compounds, then the measurement process is simplified and automation is improved, but when many compounds have close retention times, the dwell time becomes too short leading to reduced measurement precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement process into multiple segments based on compound retention times. When compounds have close retention times, the system automatically subdivides segments to ensure each compound receives adequate measurement time. This segmentation approach maintains automation while preventing dwell time from becoming too short, thus preserving measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of segment boundaries and dwell times based on the actual retention time intervals between compounds. When compounds are detected to have close retention times, the system dynamically increases the dwell time for those compounds by adjusting segment assignments. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to maintain both automation and measurement precision under varying conditions.
2Reliability
If segment boundaries are set to cover all compounds, then no compound data is lost, but compounds with close retention times experience shortened dwell times reducing sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different dwell times to different compounds based on their individual needs. Compounds with close retention times are assigned longer dwell times, while compounds with well-separated retention times can have shorter dwell times. This localized adjustment ensures that each compound receives the appropriate measurement time, maintaining both data collection completeness and measurement sensitivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dwell time parameter dynamically based on compound characteristics and retention time intervals. When compounds have close retention times, the system increases the dwell time parameter for those specific compounds while maintaining shorter dwell times for other compounds. This parameter adjustment allows the system to maintain sensitivity for all compounds without compromising overall measurement efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If manual segment setting is performed to ensure adequate dwell times, then measurement precision is improved, but the operator's workload and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the system to automatically calculate and set optimal segment boundaries and dwell times based on compound retention time data. The system autonomously determines which compounds have close retention times and adjusts segment assignments accordingly, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors retention time intervals between compounds and automatically adjusts segment boundaries and dwell times based on this feedback. When the system detects that compounds have close retention times, it automatically increases their dwell times through feedback-driven parameter adjustment. This feedback loop maintains measurement precision without requiring manual operator input or increasing device complexity.
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 enables the creation of a parameter table that ensures dwell times for all compounds are equal to or longer than required values, improving measurement reproducibility and sensitivity, and reducing the operator's workload, even with many compounds having close retention times.
Implementation Method 1
a chromatograph for separating compounds in a sample into different time ranges
Implementation Method 2
a mass spectrometer unit for separating ions originating from the compounds separated by the chromatograph into different time ranges according to mass-to-charge ratios
Implementation Method 3
the ion is dissociated by collision-induced dissociation (CID) in a collision cell
Data Source
AI summary
Segments into which time is divided are set at a point where predicted elution time ranges of compounds in a compound table do not overlap. One or more compounds are allotted to each segment. Subsequently, the dwell time per ion is calculated in each segment, based on the number of assigned compounds, loop time and the like. If the dwell time is shorter than the lower limit value (No in S6), the one segment is forcedly subdivided such that each subdivision include a predetermined number of compounds (S7). A compound having an elution time range trespassing the new segment boundary is allotted as a measurement target to both segments across the boundary (S8). If the dwell time is of at least the lower limit in every segment regenerated by the subdivision (Yes in S9), the process for this segment is finished. Such subdivision and compound reassignment in every segment can automatically create a parameter table for a measurement method capable of achieving high quantitativeness.