Ion Separation via Mobility Cell and Parallel Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Filtering type mass spectrometry devices, such as quadrupole mass spectrometers, suffer from reduced efficiency due to limited duty cycle, as they can only transmit ions of a single m/z ratio at a time, leading to wasted ions and inefficient analysis of complex samples, especially when multiple ions elute simultaneously or have unpredictable retention times.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a mobility cell with a gas inlet and outlet, an electric field gradient, and multiple ion channels that separate ions based on mobility, allowing for the accumulation and subsequent transfer of ions to a mass analyzer, enabling simultaneous analysis of multiple ions and increasing the duty cycle beyond the limitations of traditional quadrupole mass spectrometers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a quadrupole mass spectrometer transmits ions of a single m/z ratio at a time, then mass analysis precision is improved, but the duty cycle deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the ion transmission process by introducing multiple ion channels (first, second, third channels) that simultaneously transmit ions of different m/z ratios. Each channel is equipped with its own ion guide and quadrupole filter, allowing parallel processing of multiple mass ranges rather than sequential scanning, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a temporal dimension to the mass analysis by accumulating ions in ion traps during periods when they are not being analyzed. This allows the system to prepare multiple ion populations simultaneously at different retention times, then transmit them through the quadrupole in a coordinated manner, effectively increasing the duty cycle without sacrificing mass analysis precision.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple analytes are targeted simultaneously by switching between ions, then the number of analytes analyzed is improved, but the duty cycle deteriorates to 1/N
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple ion transmission paths by combining several ion channels with parallel quadrupole filters and ion guides. This allows simultaneous transmission of multiple ion types through different channels rather than switching between them, achieving both high versatility for multiple analytes and high productivity by eliminating the 1/N duty cycle limitation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary accumulation of ions in ion traps at different retention times before they are transmitted to the quadrupole. This preliminary sorting and accumulation allows multiple analytes to be prepared in advance and then transmitted simultaneously through the parallel channels, maintaining high versatility while avoiding the duty cycle penalty of sequential switching.
3Productivity
If ions are accumulated in a trap and selectively ejected based on m/z, then ion utilization efficiency is improved, but the resolution of the ion trap deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces ion guides as intermediary components between the ion trap and the quadrupole filter. These ion guides selectively transmit ions based on their properties while maintaining the high resolution capabilities of the quadrupole. The ion guide acts as a mediator that enables efficient ion transfer without compromising the mass resolution, thus resolving the contradiction between utilization efficiency and resolution.
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 enhances the efficiency of ion separation and analysis by allowing for the simultaneous handling of multiple ions, increasing the duty cycle and improving the handling capacity of ions generated by modern ion sources, thereby overcoming the limitations of traditional filtering type mass spectrometry devices.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of electrodes configured to generate an electric field gradient in a second direction, such that ions entering the mobility cell flow in the first direction with the gas and drift according to their mobility in the gas in the second direction
Implementation Method 2
a gas flow introduced at the gas inlet would flow in a first direction to the gas outlet
Data Source
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AI summary
A system for analyzing a sample includes a source configured to generate ions from constituent components of the sample; a mobility separation device, a plurality of ion channels, and a mass analyzer configured to determine the mass-to-charge ratio of the ions. The mobility device is configured to separate ions received from the source based on the mobility in a gas. The mobility separation device provides a gas flow in a first direction and an electric field gradient along a second direction such that ions move in the first direction and drift according to their mobility in the second direction and are sorted based on their respective mobility. The ion channels are arranged adjacent to the mobility separation device such that ions from the mobility separation device are directed to different channels according to their respective mobility.