Trapped Ion Mobility Filter With Differential Ion Trapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current trapped ion mobility spectrometry techniques face limitations in separating ions based on their differential mobility at low and high electric field strengths, leading to the loss of non-transmitted ion species, especially in analyzing complex samples, and lack advanced analysis capabilities in hybrid mass spectrometric systems.
Innovation Solution
A trapped ion mobility filter is designed with alternating axial electric fields and counteracting forces to separate ions by their differential mobility, allowing ions with specific mobility ranges to be trapped or transmitted, expanding analysis possibilities by utilizing the differential mobility behavior of ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If FAIMS technique is used to separate ions based on differential mobility, then ion separation capability is improved, but non-transmitted ion species are lost and discarded
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding non-transmitted ions as in conventional FAIMS, the patent inverts the approach by trapping these ions using a counteracting gas flow. The asymmetric waveform generates differential mobility forces that push ions toward collection electrodes, where they are retained rather than lost, thereby preserving all ion species for potential analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a counteracting gas flow as an intermediary force that balances the differential mobility forces. This gas flow acts as a mediator that prevents ion loss by creating a force equilibrium, allowing ions to be trapped and collected rather than discarded, thus resolving the contradiction between separation and ion preservation.
2Measurement precision
If trapped ion mobility spectrometry is used to separate ions, then mobility-based separation is achieved, but differential mobility analysis at varying field strengths is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a time-varying asymmetric waveform that alternates between high and low field strengths. This dynamic field variation enables differential mobility analysis, where ions experience different forces at different field strengths, providing enhanced separation capability and adaptability beyond static field approaches.
Solution Approach 2:
The asymmetric waveform is applied periodically, alternating between high-field and low-field phases. This periodic action allows ions to experience differential mobility effects repeatedly, enhancing separation resolution while maintaining the ability to analyze ions across a range of field strengths, thus improving both separation precision and analytical versatility.
3Quantity of substance
If complex multicomponent samples are analyzed using conventional separation, then analysis coverage is improved, but ion loss increases due to selective transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of discarding non-transmitted ions, the patent recovers them by implementing collection electrodes that trap and retain these ions. The counteracting gas flow ensures that ions which would otherwise be lost are captured and stored, allowing for comprehensive analysis of complex samples with minimal ion loss.
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 separation of ions based on their differential mobility, allowing for the analysis of ions of interest while trapping others, enhancing the capabilities of hybrid mass spectrometric systems by providing an additional dimension of separation and improving the handling of complex samples.
Implementation Method 1
separates gas-phase ions based on the difference in mobility of ion species at high electric field strength, KH, relative to mobility at low electric field strength, KL—i.e. the ions' 'differential mobility'
Implementation Method 2
applying alternating separating voltages to said first electrode and said second electrode to generate an alternating axial electric field
Implementation Method 3
a counteracting gas flow
Implementation Method 4
a second generator that causes a second axial force to be exerted on the ions along said axis, which is counteracting said first axial force at least temporarily
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a trapped ion mobility filter, a hybrid mass spectrometric system and a method for analyzing ions. The trapped ion mobility filter comprises an ion channel in which ions move along an axis between a first end, at which ions are introduced into said ion channel, and a second end. Two axial forces acting on the ions are provided, the first axial force being caused by an alternating axial electric field and having an effect on the movement of the ions that is dependent on differential mobility, and the second axial force counteracting the first axial force at least temporarily. The two axial forces are configured such that ions with a first specific range of differential mobility are trapped within the filter region of the ion channel and ions with a differing second specific range of differential mobility are transmitted through the ion channel.