Ion Mobility Separation Switching for Higher IMS Duty Cycle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) devices with time-based separation techniques have low duty cycles and are limited by space-charge effects, while those with space-based separation techniques have lower transmission efficiency, resolution, and sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method for ion manipulation that includes multiple separation regions and a switch to alternate electric fields, allowing for simultaneous ion accumulation and separation, with pre-filter regions to increase accumulation time and reduce ion input, and gates to filter ions based on mobility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time-based separation techniques are used in IMS devices, then ion separation resolution is improved, but duty cycle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The device is divided into multiple parallel separation regions (first separation region, second separation region, etc.) that operate simultaneously. Each region processes a portion of the ion population, allowing multiple separations to occur in parallel, thereby increasing the overall duty cycle while maintaining high resolution in each region.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from temporal separation (single sequence) to spatial-parallel separation by adding multiple separation regions that operate simultaneously. This dimensional change from time-only to space-time parallel processing enables both high resolution and improved duty cycle.
2Productivity
If space-based separation techniques are used in IMS devices, then duty cycle is improved, but transmission efficiency and sensitivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The ion beam is segmented into multiple portions that are directed to different separation regions simultaneously. Each region maintains efficient ion transmission while processing its assigned ion population, preserving overall transmission efficiency while achieving high duty cycle through parallel operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple separation regions operate continuously and simultaneously, eliminating the idle time inherent in sequential time-based methods. This continuous parallel operation maintains high transmission efficiency while achieving improved duty cycle.
3Quantity of substance
If ion accumulation time is increased in time-based IMS devices, then ion packet quality is improved, but space-charge effects increase
Solution Approach 1:
The total ion population is divided into multiple smaller ion packets that are processed in parallel across different separation regions. This segmentation reduces the ion density in each packet, minimizing space-charge effects while still achieving sufficient ion statistics for high-quality detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention distributes ion accumulation across multiple spatial dimensions (parallel regions) rather than concentrating all ions in a single temporal sequence. This spatial distribution reduces ion density and space-charge effects while maintaining adequate ion packet quality through parallel processing.
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 duty cycle of ion manipulation, increasing the time for ion accumulation and separation efficiency while maintaining high resolution and sensitivity, overcoming space-charge limitations.
Implementation Method 1
a switch configured to receive ions and alternate between generating a first electric field and a second electric field. The first electric field is configured to guide a first portion of the ions toward the first separation region and the second electric field is configured to guide a second portion of the ions toward the second separation region
Implementation Method 2
The first traveling drive potential is configured to guide the first portion of the ions to the exit region through the first separation region and separate the first portion of the ions based on mobility of the ions during a first separation time period
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle includes first and second separation regions separated by a switch that alternates between guiding ions to each of the separation regions. The separation regions separate the ions based on mobility over respective time periods that at least partially overlap. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a pre-separation region that filters ions prior to accumulating ions, thus allowing an accumulation region to accumulate for a longer time period. The apparatus can additionally or alternatively include a plurality of gates along the separation region(s) to simultaneously filter a plurality of ion packets sequentially released into the separation region(s). Methods for ion manipulation having improved duty cycle involve separating ions on two separation regions over first and second time periods that at least partially overlap, pre-filtering ions prior to accumulation and separation, and/or simultaneously filtering a plurality of ions packets are also provided.