Dynamic Accumulation Duration Control for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass spectrometry systems face challenges in controlling ion population within ion trapping devices due to varying analyte ion flow rates from chromatography systems, leading to inefficient accumulation times and scan rates, especially when flow rates are low, which can result in incomplete characterization of chromatographic peaks.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that dynamically calculate and adjust the maximum accumulation duration based on the expected duration of chromatographic peaks and the minimum number of scans required, ensuring that mass analysis scans are performed at a rate sufficient to characterize the peaks without exceeding necessary scan durations, even when analyte ion flow rates vary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the maximum injection time is increased to accumulate sufficient ions at low flow rates, then the ion population is sufficient for analysis, but the scan rate decreases and chromatographic peaks cannot be fully characterized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of the maximum injection time parameter. Instead of using a fixed user-predetermined maximum injection time, the system continuously monitors the ion flow rate from the chromatography system and automatically adjusts the accumulation time accordingly. When ion flow rate is high, the maximum injection time is reduced to maintain scan rate; when ion flow rate is low, the maximum injection time is increased to accumulate sufficient ions. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between accumulating enough ions and maintaining adequate scan rate.
2Ease of operation
If the maximum injection time is set to a fixed value, then the system operation is simple, but it cannot adapt to varying analyte ion flow rates throughout the chromatographic run
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-adjustment by automatically monitoring its own ion flow rate conditions and adapting the maximum injection time parameter accordingly. The control system incorporates feedback from the actual ion accumulation rate and chromatographic peak progression to dynamically modify the accumulation time without requiring manual intervention. This self-service mechanism maintains ease of operation while achieving adaptability to varying flow rates throughout the chromatographic run.
3Quantity of substance
If the accumulation duration is extended to ensure sufficient ions are accumulated, then the ion population increases, but the time available for performing minimum scans per chromatographic peak decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically changes the maximum injection time parameter based on real-time monitoring of ion flow rate and chromatographic peak characteristics. By adjusting this critical parameter, the system optimizes the balance between accumulating sufficient ions for each scan and completing the required minimum number of scans within the chromatographic peak duration. The parameter is increased when ion flow is low to ensure sufficient population, and decreased when ion flow is high to preserve scan time.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of mass spectrometry is provided. The method comprises eluting a sample from a chromatography system, and calculating a desired maximum scan duration for the sample eluting from the chromatographic system based on a duration of a chromatographic peak of the sample as it elutes from the chromatography system, and a minimum number of scans per chromatographic peak to be performed. A maximum accumulation duration is calculated based on the desired maximum scan duration. The sample is ionised to produce sample ions using an ion source. The sample ions are directed along an ion path from the ion source to a mass analyser. A first set of mass analysis scans are performed. Each of the first set of mass analysis scans comprises: accumulating a portion of sample ions at a point along the ion path, wherein the portion of sample ions are accumulated for a duration not exceeding the maximum accumulation duration, and mass analysing the portion of sample ions using the mass analyser. The mass analyser is a Fourier Transform mass analyser or a Time of Flight mass analyser.