Continuous Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer for High Duty Cycle Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Standard mass spectrometers have a limited duty cycle and acquisition rate due to mutually exclusive loading and scanning segments in ion trap mass analysis, restricting continuous operation.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometer with an ion trap configured for continuous ion reception and an ion source for continuous injection, using a controller to apply a repeated frequency-scanned voltage to the ion trap, allowing continuous ion injection and ejection while scanning the voltage from a first frequency to a second frequency, thereby enabling continuous operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If standard injection methods are used with mutually exclusive loading and scanning segments, then the ion trap can be properly loaded and scanned, but the duty cycle is limited and acquisition rate is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous ion injection into the ion trap while simultaneously performing mass spectral scans, eliminating the traditional stop-start operation mode. The ion source continuously generates ions that are injected into the trap, and the voltage on the end-cap electrode is continuously modulated to perform scans across different mass-to-charge ratios, allowing both loading and scanning to occur concurrently rather than in mutually exclusive segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies periodic voltage modulation to the end-cap electrode of the ion trap, where the voltage oscillates between trapping and ejection potentials at a frequency that enables continuous scanning. This periodic action on the end-cap electrode creates a continuous stream of ion ejections at different mass-to-charge ratios over time, allowing the system to maintain continuous operation while still performing complete mass spectral scans.
2Productivity
If scanning cannot occur while the ion trap is loading, then proper ion trapping is maintained, but the acquisition rate is limited by the sequential nature of loading and scanning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the control of the ion trap into separate functional segments: the ring electrode handles ion trapping and confinement, while the end-cap electrode handles ion ejection and mass spectral scanning. This segmentation allows each electrode to perform its specific function independently and simultaneously, enabling continuous ion injection and scanning without interference between loading and scanning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically modulates the voltage on the end-cap electrode between trapping potential (where ions are confined in the trap) and ejection potential (where ions are expelled for detection). This dynamic voltage switching occurs continuously at a frequency that allows multiple mass spectral scans to be performed while maintaining continuous ion injection, transforming the static sequential operation into dynamic simultaneous operation.
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 achieves a near 100% duty cycle and enhances the acquisition rate by allowing simultaneous ion injection and scanning, improving the efficiency of ion trap mass analysis.
Implementation Method 1
an ion trap configured to continuously receive ions... a controller configured to cause a repeated frequency-scanned voltage to be applied to the ion trap... scanned from a first frequency to a second frequency, thereby causing the ejection of the ions from the ion trap
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discusses a system and method for continuous operation of an ion trap mass spectrometer. The described system does not introduce ions into the ion trap in distinct trapping phase, rather the described system continuously injects ions into the ion trap while continuously scanning out the ions. The system and method described herein achieves a much higher duty cycle and cycle rate when compared to standard mass spectrometer devices.