Electrospray Emitter Liquid Junction for Reproducible Nano-Flow Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques face challenges in reproducibility and throughput due to instability in electrospray ionization, particularly with coated glass capillaries prone to erosion, leading to irreproducible results and operational inefficiencies in proteomics and peptidomics workflows.
Innovation Solution
An automated system for electrospray ionization in mass spectrometry, featuring an electrospray emitter with a tapered capillary tip, an autosampler, and a liquid junction with a conductive connecting element, allowing for stable and controlled electrospray ionization with a low nanoliter per minute flow rate, which enhances ionization efficiency and reduces sample loss.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coated glass capillaries are used for electrospray ionization, then ionization can be achieved, but the capillaries are prone to erosion leading to instability and irreproducible results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the problematic coated glass capillary from the system and replaces it with a fused silica capillary. The coating layer that causes erosion and instability is removed entirely, while the electrospray ionization function is maintained through the bare fused silica surface, which provides stable and reproducible results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs disposable fused silica capillaries that are inexpensive and can be easily replaced. These capillaries do not suffer from the erosion problems of coated glass capillaries and can be discarded after use, ensuring consistent performance without the need for complex maintenance or recoating procedures.
2Productivity
If manual sample handling is used, then operational flexibility is maintained, but throughput is low and operational inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the autosampler with the electrospray ionization source, creating an integrated system where sample introduction and ionization occur in a unified workflow. This integration eliminates manual transfer steps and enables automated high-throughput analysis while maintaining ease of operation through standardized protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The autosampler performs automated sample introduction, positioning, and delivery to the electrospray source without requiring manual intervention for each sample. The system serves itself by automatically handling sample queues, thereby increasing throughput while reducing operational complexity through automation of routine tasks.
3Quantity of substance
If high flow rates are used for sample delivery, then sample delivery speed is increased, but ionization efficiency decreases and sample loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the flow rate parameter to operate in the low nanoliter per minute range. This parameter change enables the system to achieve both adequate sample delivery and high ionization efficiency simultaneously. The reduced flow rate allows for better ion formation at the electrospray tip while maintaining sufficient sample throughput for analytical purposes.
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
The automated system achieves stable and reproducible electrospray ionization, increasing sensitivity and linear dynamic range, thereby improving the analysis of complex mixtures and enabling higher throughput in proteomics, peptidomics, and metabolomics research, including the analysis of therapeutic antibodies and neoepitope discovery.
Implementation Method 1
An automated system for providing at least one sample for electrospray ionization in a mass spectrometer system
Implementation Method 2
The connecting element is electrically connectable to at least one voltage source
Data Source
AI summary
An automated system (112) for providing at least one sample (136) for electrospray ionization in a mass spectrometer system (110) is disclosed. The automated system (112) comprises: •at least one electrospray emitter (122) comprising at least one emitter end (120) having at least one emitter tip (124) and at least one fluid-entrance end (126); •at least one autosampler (132), wherein the autosampler (132) comprises at least one autosampler outlet (134), wherein the autosampler (132) is configured for providing at least one sample (136) having at least one analyte; •at least one pipe (138) having at least one pipe fluid-outlet end (142) and at least one pipe fluid-inlet end (144), wherein the pipe fluid-inlet end (144) is fluidically connected to the autosampler outlet (134); •at least one liquid junction (146), wherein the liquid junction (146) comprises at least one connecting element (148) being made of at least one electrically conductive material, wherein the connecting element (148) receives the fluid-entrance end (126) of the electrospray emitter (122) and the pipe fluid-outlet end (142) of the pipe (138) such that a fluid connection between the electrospray emitter (122) and the pipe (138) is established, wherein the connecting element (148) is electrically connectable to at least one voltage source; wherein the emitter tip (124) comprises an opening having a diameter of 1 μm to 10 μm.