Hollow Emission Needle ESI Source for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing Electrospray Ionization (ESI) source for mass spectrometry has limitations in ionization efficiency due to large droplet volumes, leading to weak polarization of analyte molecules and contamination from neutral molecules, which reduces the effectiveness of mass spectrometry analysis, especially for biological macromolecules like proteins.
Innovation Solution
A novel ESI source design incorporating a hollow emission needle with an auxiliary line and voltage supply to create a Taylor cone with a small diameter, enhancing the formation of multiply charged ions through protonation in the gas phase, and using secondary auxiliary air to redirect neutral molecules away from the mass spectrometer, improving ion productivity and reducing contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the analyte is dissolved in the mobile phase and transferred through the hollow emission needle to the Taylor cone, then the analyte can be delivered to the ionization region, but the large droplet volume prevents effective polarization and reduces ionization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the analyte delivery function from the ionization function by using an auxiliary line to convey the analyte separately from the mobile phase in the hollow emission needle. This segmentation allows the mobile phase to form a controlled Taylor cone while the analyte is introduced through a different pathway, enabling effective polarization and ionization without being diluted in large droplets.
Solution Approach 2:
The auxiliary line acts as an intermediary pathway that introduces the analyte directly into the ionization region near the Taylor cone without requiring it to be dissolved in large volumes of mobile phase. This intermediary delivery mechanism enables the analyte molecules to be exposed to the strong electric field for effective polarization and protonation.
2Productivity
If the ion transport system transfers charged molecular ions to the mass spectrometer, then analysis can be performed, but neutral molecules are also transferred causing pollution and affecting mass spectrometer performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes neutral molecules from the ion transport pathway by introducing auxiliary air through the auxiliary line. This auxiliary air creates a gas flow that selectively removes neutral molecules while allowing charged ions to pass through to the mass spectrometer, thereby preventing contamination without affecting the ion analysis capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the harmful effect of neutral molecules (which cause contamination) into a beneficial separation mechanism. By introducing auxiliary air, the neutral molecules are carried away by the gas flow while charged ions remain unaffected and continue to the mass spectrometer. This transforms the contamination problem into an effective ion-neutral separation mechanism.
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 design increases the ionization efficiency and reduces contamination, enhancing the detection of biological macromolecules by forming stable ion clusters and effectively directing neutral molecules away from the mass spectrometer, resulting in improved mass spectrum detection.
Implementation Method 1
a voltage supply apparatus is applied between the hollow emission needle and the mass spectrometer, to establish a voltage between the hollow emission needle and the mass spectrometer for inducing particles to enter the mass spectrometer for analysis
Implementation Method 2
Electrospray Ionization (ESI) is an ionization technology used in mass spectrometry... Under ESI condition, there is a general explanation for the origin of multiply charged ions, which from the surface of the polar droplets may be formed in liquid phase in ESI
Implementation Method 3
An auxiliary line is disposed adjacent to the hollow emission needle and is configured to convey a second material toward the exit of the hollow emission needle
Data Source
AI summary
An ionization source for Electrospray Ionization (ESI) mass spectrometry includes a mass spectrometer having a source vacuum chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The outlet is disposed at an opening of the mass spectrometer. The ionization source further includes a hollow emission needle having an exit disposed at the inlet of the vacuum chamber. The hollow emission needle is configured to convey a first material toward the exit. An auxiliary line is disposed adjacent to the hollow emission needle to convey a second material toward the exit. A voltage supply apparatus is applied between the hollow emission needle and the mass spectrometer to establish a voltage between the hollow emission needle and the mass spectrometer and to induce particles to enter the mass spectrometer for analysis.