Ion Analyzer Vacuum Layout With Single-Pump Chamber Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional MALDI-MS systems require multiple turbo-molecular pumps to maintain different vacuum levels, leading to large and expensive devices.
Innovation Solution
An ion analyzer with a single evacuation mechanism connected only to the analysis chamber, which evacuates to a pressure of 10−3 Pa or less, while indirectly evacuating the ionization chamber through a partition wall with an opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple turbo-molecular pumps are used to maintain different vacuum levels in separate chambers, then the required vacuum levels for ion transport and detection are maintained, but the device size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the vacuum maintenance function for both the ionization chamber and analysis chamber into a single turbo-molecular pump system. The pump is connected to both chambers via vacuum lines, allowing one pump to maintain the required vacuum levels in multiple chambers simultaneously, thereby reducing the number of pumps from multiple to one.
Solution Approach 2:
The single turbo-molecular pump is designed to serve multiple functions: evacuating the ionization chamber, maintaining vacuum in the analysis chamber, and handling the introduction of cooling gas into the ion trap. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate pumps for each chamber.
2Device complexity
If the analysis chamber is directly connected to the ionization chamber, then the device structure is simplified, but the high vacuum level in the analysis chamber degrades due to cooling gas introduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the vacuum system into two independent but connected chambers: the ionization chamber and the analysis chamber. A partition wall with an opening separates these chambers, allowing physical separation for independent vacuum control while maintaining a simplified connection structure for ion transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The partition wall with an opening acts as an intermediary between the ionization chamber and analysis chamber. It allows ions to pass through while preventing direct communication between the chambers, thus isolating the high vacuum environment of the analysis chamber from the cooling gas introduced into the ion trap.
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 achieves downsizing and cost reduction by eliminating the need for multiple pumps, while maintaining the required vacuum levels for ion transport and detection.
Implementation Method 1
a single evacuation mechanism connected only to the analysis chamber and configured to evacuate the analysis chamber to a pressure of 10−3 Pa or less
Implementation Method 2
laser light is irradiated on the matrix material to ionize the sample molecules
Implementation Method 3
a substance (matrix material) that easily absorbs laser light and is easily ionized is applied to a surface of a sample
Implementation Method 4
A cooling gas such as helium gas is introduced into the ion trap, and the ions are cooled by collision with the cooling gas
Data Source
AI summary
An ion analyzer 1 includes: an ionization chamber 10; an ionization unit 3 configured to generate ions from a sample 11 in the ionization chamber 10; an analysis chamber 20 separated from the ionization chamber 10 by a partition wall 21 in which an opening 211 is formed; an ion transport unit 22, 23, and 24 provided in the analysis chamber 20 and configured to transport the ions generated in the ionization unit; an ion trapping unit 25 provided in the analysis chamber 20 and configured to trap the ions transported by the ion transport unit 22, 23, and 24; an ion detection unit 26 provided in the analysis chamber 20 and configured to detect the ions released from the ion trapping unit 25; and a single evacuation mechanism 28 connected only to the analysis chamber 20 and configured to evacuate the analysis chamber 20 to a pressure of 10−3 Pa or less.