Ion Motion Analysis Using Brownian Motion and Electric Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ion analysis methods struggle to accurately determine the masses and charges of ions of macromolecules without prior isolation, particularly when ion concentration is not at a single particle level, leading to erroneous results and reduced throughput.
Innovation Solution
An ion analysis method and apparatus that utilizes Brownian motion and the combined effects of gravity and electric fields to measure ion masses and charges by observing their motion in a controlled gas environment, allowing for simultaneous separation and detection without prior isolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ion concentration is reduced to single particle level to avoid erroneous interpretation, then measurement accuracy is improved, but throughput is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the measurement process into two distinct stages: first, spatial separation of ions based on their motion characteristics under gravity and electric field; second, individual detection of separated ions. This segmentation allows the system to handle higher ion concentrations initially, then separate them spatially before detection, avoiding the need to reduce concentration to single-particle level while maintaining both accuracy and throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces spatial separation as an additional dimension to the measurement process. By applying gravity and electric field to create distinct motion trajectories in space, ions are separated along spatial dimensions before detection. This dimensional approach transforms the problem from temporal sequencing (one ion at a time) to spatial distribution (multiple ions at different positions), enabling parallel processing and improved throughput.
2Productivity
If multiple ions are detected simultaneously to improve throughput, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to erroneous interpretation
Solution Approach 1:
The detection process is segmented into spatial zones where ions are detected at different positions based on their separation trajectories. The detection unit records position information for each ion, allowing simultaneous detection of multiple ions while maintaining individual identification through spatial segmentation of detection events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback through position-dependent detection and recording. Each ion's position information is fed back into the analysis system, allowing the measurement system to distinguish between single ions and multiple ions based on their spatial distribution patterns. This feedback mechanism enables accurate interpretation even when multiple ions are present in the detection volume.
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
Enables accurate determination of ion masses and charges of macromolecules by analyzing their motion in a controlled gas environment, facilitating precise measurement without the need for prior isolation, thus improving measurement accuracy and throughput.
Implementation Method 1
a moving space which is adjusted to a predetermined gas pressure of a range allowing particles to perform Brownian motion
Implementation Method 2
in which gravity and an electric field are allowed to act
Implementation Method 3
in which gravity and an electric field are allowed to act
Data Source
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AI summary
An ion analysis method according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: an ionization step for ionizing an object to be measured; an ion input step for inputting ions obtained in the ionization step or objective ions that are ions derived from said ions to a moving space (30) having a predetermined gas pressure adjusted within a range that allows particles to perform Brownian motion, and allowing the gravity and an electric field to act; a measurement step for acquiring first information on the motion by the action of the gravity and the electric field with respect to the objective ions inputted to the moving space, and acquiring second information on the Brownian motion; and a computation step for determining the mass or electric charge of the objective ions on the basis of the first and second information acquired in the measurement step. As a result, it is possible to accurately and efficiently measure the mass and electric charge of ions such as macromolecules and viruses.