FAIMS Compensation Voltage Control for Higher MS Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
The optimal compensation voltages used in ion mobility separation devices, such as FAIMS, can change due to factors like solvent clusters, ESI emitter position, and sample composition, affecting the transmission of desirable ions during high flow rates in mass spectrometry, leading to inefficiencies in ion transmission and data acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometry system with a controller that adjusts compensation voltage parameters based on peak information, including changing the CV range, number of steps, step size, and applying time delays, to optimize ion transmission and data acquisition throughput.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a fixed range of compensation voltages is used in the FAIMS device, then the device structure and operation are simple, but ion transmission efficiency decreases when optimal CVs change due to solvent clusters, ESI emitter position, or sample composition variations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of compensation voltage parameters by the controller based on real-time peak information from the FAIMS device. The controller modifies CV range, number of steps, and step size according to observed ion transmission patterns, transforming the static FAIMS operation into a dynamic adaptive system that responds to changing experimental conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses peak information from the FAIMS device as feedback to continuously optimize compensation voltage parameters. The controller monitors ion transmission at different CV values and adjusts the CV range and step size based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maximizes ion transmission efficiency
2Productivity
If the number of CV steps is increased to improve ion transmission coverage, then ion transmission efficiency improves, but data acquisition time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the number of CV steps based on peak information from the FAIMS device. When ion transmission patterns indicate broader voltage coverage is needed, the controller increases the number of steps; when patterns show concentrated transmission, the controller reduces steps to save time, creating an adaptive balance between coverage and speed
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the CV step size parameter adaptively - using smaller step sizes when fine resolution is needed for optimal ion transmission, and larger step sizes when rapid scanning is prioritized. The controller modifies this parameter based on observed peak patterns to optimize the trade-off between transmission efficiency and acquisition time
3Productivity
If a larger CV step size is used to reduce scanning time, then data acquisition throughput increases, but ion transmission precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of CV step size based on real-time peak information. The controller analyzes transmission patterns and adapts the step size accordingly - using smaller steps when precision is critical for capturing optimal ion transmission, and larger steps when throughput is prioritized, creating a dynamic balance between these competing requirements
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 adjusted compensation voltage parameters improve ion transmission efficiency, increase data acquisition throughput, and enhance sensitivity by refining the CV range, step size, and scan scheduling, ensuring better performance even under varying conditions.
Implementation Method 1
An ion mobility separation device, such as field asymmetric-waveform ion-mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) device, can be positioned downstream from the ESI, but before the mass analyzer, to separate the ions in accordance with their differential mobility
Implementation Method 2
Typically, the ion source for proteomics experiments implements electrospray ionization (ESI) to ionize the peptide
Data Source
AI summary
Adjusting compensation voltage (CV) parameters of an ion mobility device is described. In one instance, the CV parameters are adjusted to reflect a different CV range, a number of CV steps, or a CV step size to increase throughput of a mass spectrometer.