Hybrid Electrostatic Magnetostatic Ion Guide for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers face challenges in efficiently transporting, trapping, and dissociating electrically charged gas-phase molecules due to complex and costly devices that require precise configuration for specific analyses, leading to high beam losses and limited versatility in performing different dissociation processes.
Innovation Solution
The use of permanent magnet-based systems with static magnetic fields and superimposed electrostatic lenses to create a hybrid electrostatic/magnetostatic charged particle guide that allows for efficient trapping, transport, and dissociation of ions without the need for radiofrequency fields, enabling reconfiguration for various analyses and reducing beam losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If radiofrequency fields are used for ion trapping and transport, then ion confinement is achieved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces radiofrequency electromagnetic fields with a hybrid electrostatic/magnetostatic system using permanent magnets and static electric fields to achieve ion confinement and transport, thereby simplifying device architecture and reducing operational complexity while maintaining effective ion trapping
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical parameters of the field system from time-varying radiofrequency fields to static electric and magnetic fields, using permanent magnets to provide constant magnetic fields and static voltages to provide electrostatic confinement, eliminating the need for RF generators and control systems
2Measurement precision
If complex devices with precise configuration are used for specific analyses, then analysis precision is improved, but versatility for different dissociation processes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The hybrid electrostatic/magnetostatic cell is designed to perform multiple dissociation processes including electron capture dissociation, collision-induced dissociation, and photon-induced dissociation using the same fundamental field configuration, allowing a single device to replace multiple specialized instruments and enabling comprehensive proteomics experiments
Solution Approach 2:
The device achieves versatility through dynamic control of static field parameters, where the same permanent magnet structure supports different dissociation mechanisms by adjusting electric field configurations and gas conditions, allowing reconfiguration for various analyses without changing the core magnetic field architecture
3Productivity
If energy-moderating gases are used for electron capture dissociation, then dissociation efficiency is improved, but device cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the requirement for energy-moderating gases from the electron capture dissociation process by using a hybrid electrostatic/magnetostatic field configuration that enables efficient electron-ion interactions without gas moderation, simplifying the device architecture and reducing operational complexity while maintaining dissociation efficiency
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 results in higher transmission efficiencies, lower detection limits, and the ability to perform a range of analyses on less costly instruments, including electron capture dissociation without the need for energy-moderating gases, enhancing the capability for comprehensive proteomics experiments.
Implementation Method 1
a first magnetostatic lens comprising, from the first end to the second end along the axis, a first pole piece, a magnet, and a second pole piece, wherein the first pole piece and the second pole piece are magnetically coupled to the magnet
Implementation Method 2
a first conductive aperture coupled to receive a first electrical potential, a first magnetostatic lens, and a second conductive aperture coupled to receive a second electrical potential
Implementation Method 3
a radio-frequency-free hybrid electrostatic/magnetostatic cell for transporting, trapping, and dissociating ions
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 2A~2B
AI summary
Mass spectrometry cells include one or more interleaved magnetostatic and electrostatic lenses. In some examples, the electrostatic lenses are based on electrical potentials applied to magnetostatic lens pole pieces. In other alternatives, the electrostatic lenses can include conductive apertures. Applied voltages can be selected to trap or transport charged particles, and photon sources, gas sources, ion sources, and electron sources can be provided for various dissociation processes.