Ion Mobility Separation Cell Flushing Method
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion mobility separation devices face issues with aliasing and wrap-around effects due to undesired ions with low mobility remaining in the system, leading to interference and misassignment of ion mobility and collision cross-section values, especially in High Definition MSe experiments.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that utilizes a control system to operate in two modes: one for separating ions based on their ion mobility using transient DC voltages, and another for actively ejecting undesired ions by applying different DC voltage gradients, ensuring the ion guide is flushed before introducing subsequent ion pulses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ions are accumulated in an ion trap upstream of the ion mobility separator to improve duty cycle, then productivity is improved, but space charge effects increase causing distortion of ion mobility separation peak widths and shifts in drift times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by flushing the ion mobility separator with a clean gas flow before each ion mobility separation cycle. This pre-cleaning action removes any residual ions from the previous cycle, preventing space charge effects and ensuring accurate ion mobility measurements while maintaining high productivity through continuous operation.
2Productivity
If the ion mobility separation cycle time is reduced to increase productivity, then productivity is improved, but undesired ions with low ion mobility remain in the separator causing aliasing and wrap-around effects
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts undesired residual ions from the ion mobility separator by introducing a flush gas flow that selectively removes ions with low ion mobility before the next analysis cycle begins. This extraction process eliminates aliasing and wrap-around effects, ensuring reliable measurements even when cycle times are reduced for higher productivity.
3Productivity
If a large number of sequential fast ion mobility separation cycles are performed to maximize dynamic range, then productivity is improved, but residual ions from previous cycles cause interferences and misassignment of ion mobility values
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuity of useful action by performing ion mobility separations in rapid sequential cycles without interruption. The flush gas flow operates continuously between cycles to maintain a clean separator, enabling continuous high-productivity operation while preventing residual ion interference through constant removal of undesired ions.
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 optimizes ion mobility separation cycle times, prevents aliasing, and maintains dynamic range without recalibrating ion mobility separation conditions, reducing space charge effects and improving data accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
separating ions temporally according to their ion mobility or differential ion mobility
Implementation Method 2
applying one or more second DC voltages or potentials to the electrodes so as to produce a second DC voltage or potential gradient within or along the ion guide during the second mode of operation so as to cause ions to be ejected from the ion guide
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is provided to separate ions temporally according to a physico-chemical property comprising an ion guide comprising a plurality of electrodes and a first device arranged and adapted to remove undesired ions remaining within the ion guide after ions of interest have exited the ion guide.