Linear Combination of Image Charge Signals for Mass Spectrometry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Ion trap mass spectrometers face difficulties in obtaining accurate mass/charge ratio distribution due to overlapping harmonic peaks in image charge/current signals, especially when dealing with a wide range of mass/charge ratios, which are often resolved through computationally intensive methods.

Innovation Solution

A method involving the production of a linear combination of image charge/current signals using predetermined coefficients to suppress unwanted harmonic components, allowing for the extraction of useful information without the need for computationally intensive techniques.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a wide range of mass/charge ratios is analyzed using Fourier transform, then comprehensive mass spectrum data is obtained, but overlapping harmonic peaks make it difficult to obtain useful information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass/charge ratio rangeVSAvoidmass spectrum information quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unwanted harmonic components from the image charge/current signal through a linear combination process. By applying predetermined coefficients to multiple image charge/current signals, the method selectively eliminates harmonic peaks that would otherwise overlap and obscure the mass spectrum information, thereby resolving the contradiction between analyzing a wide mass/charge ratio range and maintaining measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of the signal processing by applying a linear combination with predetermined coefficients to transform the original image charge/current signals. This parameter transformation allows the suppression of specific harmonic components while preserving the fundamental frequency information, enabling accurate mass spectrum analysis across a wide mass/charge ratio range without peak overlap interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If computationally intensive methods are used to resolve overlapping harmonic peaks, then accurate mass spectrum data can be obtained, but data processing time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemass spectrum data accuracyVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-determining the coefficients for the linear combination before actual data analysis. These predetermined coefficients are designed to suppress unwanted harmonic components, allowing the method to achieve accurate mass spectrum data without requiring complex real-time computational algorithms during the analysis phase, thus reducing overall processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If multiple image charge/current signals are processed using linear combination with predetermined coefficients, then unwanted harmonic components are suppressed, but processing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveharmonic component suppressionVSAvoidsignal processing steps

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple image charge/current signals into a single processed signal through a linear combination operation. By combining several signals with predetermined coefficients, the method achieves suppression of unwanted harmonic components in one integrated processing step, rather than requiring multiple separate analysis operations, thus balancing precision improvement with processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables the acquisition of clear mass/charge distribution data for a wide range of ions by reducing the impact of overlapping harmonic peaks, facilitating efficient data processing and analysis.

Implementation Method 1

using an image charge/current detector, it is possible to obtain, non-destructively, an image charge/current signal representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion in the time domain

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImage charge/current detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

This image charge/current signal can be converted to the frequency domain e.g. using a Fourier transform ("FT")

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFourier transform:

Implementation Method 3

If ions are trapped using an electrostatic field, the ion trap mass spectrometer is commonly referred to as an electrostatic ion trap mass spectrometer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic field trapping: Electrostatics

Data Source

PatentUS8664590B2Method of processing image charge/current signals

Publication Date: 2014.03.04 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A method of processing a plurality of image charge/current signals representative of trapped ions undergoing oscillatory motion, e.g. for use in an ion trap mass spectrometer. The method includes producing a linear combination of the plurality of image charge/current signals using a plurality of predetermined coefficients, the predetermined coefficients having been selected so as to suppress at least one harmonic component of the image charge/current signals within the linear combination of the plurality of image charge/current signals.