Electrocapture Separation Voltage Decoupling via Capillary Interface
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of electrocapture-based separations with mass spectrometry is challenging due to the need for ionization and gas-phase transfer of molecules, and the voltage interference between electrocapture devices and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, which disrupts the separation process.
Innovation Solution
The use of a capillary with micrometer-sized dimensions, low conductivity buffers, organic solvents, and an electrically floating capture device circuit, along with a sheath flow interface, decouples the voltages and enables the combination of electrocapture-based separations with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and further enhances the separation power by integrating chromatography processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If electrocapture-based separations are combined with mass spectrometry, then molecular characterization and identification capability is improved, but voltage interference between the electrocapture device and electrospray ionization source disrupts the separation process
Solution Approach 1:
A capillary interface is introduced as an intermediary component between the electrocapture device and the electrospray ionization source. This capillary serves as a mediator that allows the two systems to operate at different potentials without direct electrical connection, enabling voltage decoupling while maintaining fluid and analyte transfer between the separation device and mass spectrometer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into electrically isolated modules: the electrocapture separation device operates at one potential, the capillary interface provides electrical isolation, and the electrospray ionization source operates at a different potential. This segmentation allows each component to function independently at its optimal voltage without interference from the other.
2Adaptability or versatility
If electrospray ionization is applied to transfer molecules to gas-phase, then mass spectrometry analysis is enabled, but the electric potential interferes with the electrocapture device operation
Solution Approach 1:
The capillary interface acts as an intermediary that enables the electrospray ionization process while isolating its high voltage from the electrocapture device. The capillary allows analyte transfer and ionization to occur without the electrospray voltage affecting the electrocapture separation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The high voltage required for electrospray ionization is extracted and applied only at the ionization source, separate from the electrocapture device. This allows the electrocapture device to operate at its required potential without the interfering electrospray voltage, while still enabling mass spectrometry analysis through the separated ionization process.
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 allows for effective ionization and separation of molecules without disrupting the electrocapture process, improving the sensitivity and characterization of molecules through multidimensional separations, enabling online coupling of electrocapture-based separations with ESI-MS and chromatography for enhanced MS performance.
Implementation Method 1
In electrospray ionization, molecules are ionized and transferred to the gas-phase by applying an electric field (about 1000 and 3000 kV) between the solution, where the molecules of interest are dissolved, and the mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 2
electrostatic-repulsion and solvent characteristics (evaporation, surface tension and pH) play an important role. In brief, the difference of electric potential between the solution and the mass spectrometer induces the formation of the electrospray, which involves the formation of micrometer and nanometer size droplets (due to an electrostatic effect) that have the same charge. The latter causes the droplets to be repelled from one another (due to charge-to-charge repulsion)
Implementation Method 3
electrocapture-based separations (described in PCT/SE2003/002027, WO 2004/056697)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates a use of the electrocapture-based separation technology combined with mass spectrometry (e.g. sequence of polypeptides by collision-induce dissociation mass spectrometry, for the identification and/or characterization molecules of interest). In addition, it relates physical interfaces between electrocapture-based separations and different types mass spectrometers for on-line analysis, as well as the coupling of electrocapture-based separations, liquid chromatography and different types of mass spectrometrometers. It also relates the combination of the electrocapture-base separation technology with other liquid separation methods, as e.g. liquid chromatography, in order to achieve multidimensional separations prior mass spectrometrical analysis. The invention also relates to a separation device comprising a capture device, a fluidic connector e.g. an electrospray source, an electrospray interface-source and a mass spectrometer.