Dynamic Duty Cycle Management for Mass Spectrometer Analyte Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass spectrometers face limitations in accurately analyzing a large number of analytes of interest due to insufficient scan time for each analyte, leading to suboptimal data quality when the number of analytes exceeds a practical upper limit, typically around 50.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising an ion source, mass spectrometer, and a controller that dynamically manages a duty cycle list by adding and removing precursor and fragment ions based on trigger and confirmatory data sets, allowing for selective filtering and fragmentation to optimize scan time allocation for analytes of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the mass spectrometer scans for a large number of analytes using traditional MRM duty cycles, then the coverage of analytes of interest increases, but the scan time available for each analyte becomes insufficient, leading to suboptimal data quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic duty cycle management where the mass spectrometer automatically adjusts the list of analytes to scan based on real-time detection of trigger ions. The duty cycle transitions from a static predetermined list to a dynamic list that expands when trigger ions are detected and contracts when they are not, allowing the system to adapt scan allocation to actual sample composition.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the sample's own ions as triggers to automatically expand the duty cycle list. When the mass spectrometer detects a trigger ion within a specified m/z range and intensity threshold, it automatically adds corresponding analytes to the duty cycle without external intervention, enabling the system to self-adjust based on the sample's characteristics.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the duty cycle includes many analytes to cover all potential analytes of interest, then the system can detect a broader range of substances, but the scan time per analyte decreases below the threshold needed for accurate detection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the analyte monitoring into two phases: a core predetermined duty cycle list that maintains stable scan allocation, and an dynamically added portion triggered by detected ions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain sufficient scan time for high-priority analytes while selectively adding lower-priority analytes only when their presence is indicated by trigger ions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs partial scanning by maintaining a base duty cycle with essential analytes and selectively adding only those analytes whose trigger ions are detected. This partial action approach ensures that sufficient scan time is allocated to the core analytes while still providing coverage for additional analytes when needed, rather than attempting to scan all possible analytes simultaneously.
3Ease of operation
If the mass spectrometer uses fixed predetermined duty cycles for MRM analysis, then the analysis process is simple and automated, but it cannot adapt to samples containing unexpected or variable analytes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control where the detection of trigger ions provides real-time information about sample composition, which then feeds back to automatically adjust the duty cycle list. The system continuously monitors for trigger ions and dynamically modifies the analyte list based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop system that adapts to sample variations while remaining fully automated.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing a base duty cycle list of high-priority analytes before analysis begins. This preliminary configuration ensures that critical analytes are always monitored with sufficient scan time, while the system retains the capability to add additional analytes during analysis if trigger ions indicate their presence.
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
Enables efficient analysis of multiple analytes by dynamically managing the duty cycle, ensuring sufficient scan time for each analyte, thereby improving data quality and accuracy even when analyzing a large number of analytes.
Implementation Method 1
an ion source for emitting ions from the sample
Implementation Method 2
The amount of time that the ions take to reach the detector, the 'time-of-flight', may be used to calculate the ion's mass to charge ratio, m/z
Implementation Method 3
Additional information (in addition to an ion's precursor mass) can then be obtained by fragmenting the ion via CID (collision induced dissociation) in a collision cell
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods for analyzing compounds in a sample. In one embodiment, the present technology is directed towards a method of analyzing a sample, comprising: emitting ions from the sample; selectively filtering the emitted ions for at least one designated trigger ion; fragmenting the designated trigger ions; scanning for a designated trigger ion fragment; and upon detecting the designated trigger ion fragment, scanning for at least one confirmatory ion fragment.