Ion Molecule Reactor With Ion Guide for Ultra-Trace Mixture Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and sample throughput, particularly in detecting ultra-low concentrations of analytes like those found in wine contaminated with cork taint, due to limited analyte ion yields and sensitivity issues in chemical ionization processes.
Innovation Solution
An ion molecule reactor design featuring a reaction volume with reagent ions interacting with analytes, an analyte inlet aligned with the transit path, and an ion guide generating alternating electrical, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields to focus and guide ions, allowing for efficient chemical ionization and high-density ion distribution within the reaction volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high pressure buffer gas is used to establish laminar flow for guiding reagent ions and analytes, then ionization efficiency is improved, but gas purity requirements increase and memory effects worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the buffer gas component from the system entirely, operating the ion molecule reactor at low pressure without requiring high purity buffer gas. This extraction of the problematic buffer gas element resolves the contradiction by eliminating the source of memory effects while maintaining ionization efficiency through direct chemical ionization of the analyte stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by operating in vacuum conditions without buffer gas, eliminating the need for high purity gas supplies. The system maintains reliable operation by using only the analyte gas itself as the medium for ionization, thereby removing dependencies on external gas purity controls.
2Productivity
If high pressure buffer gas is used to establish laminar flow, then ionization efficiency is improved, but recovery time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By removing the buffer gas component entirely, the system eliminates the source of memory effects that cause prolonged recovery times. The low pressure operation allows for rapid evacuation and clearing of the reaction chamber between samples, significantly reducing recovery time while maintaining effective ionization through direct chemical ionization processes.
3Productivity
If complex measures are implemented to maintain constant buffer gas pressure and laminar flow, then ionization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the buffer gas pressure control system entirely by operating without buffer gas. This extraction of the buffer gas infrastructure removes the need for pressure regulators, flow controllers, and laminar flow establishment mechanisms, dramatically simplifying the device while maintaining ionization efficiency through alternative low pressure operational modes.
4Measurement precision
If chemical ionization is used to achieve selective ionization with minimal fragmentation, then analyte identification accuracy is improved, but sensitivity for ultra-low concentrations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pressure parameter from high to low, and removes buffer gas entirely, which fundamentally alters the ionization dynamics. This parameter change enables chemical ionization to achieve both high selectivity and enhanced sensitivity by increasing the interaction time between reagent ions and analyte molecules in the low pressure environment, allowing detection at parts per quadrillion levels while maintaining minimal fragmentation.
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 setup enhances ionization efficiency, enabling the detection of analytes at concentrations as low as parts per quadrillion, reduces memory effects, and improves time resolution in mass spectrometry, thereby increasing sensitivity and reducing false positives in complex mixtures like those from cork stoppers.
Implementation Method 1
an ion guide with an electrode arrangement which is configured for generating an alternating electrical, magnetic and/or electromagnetic field for guiding the reagent ions and/or the analyte ions at least along a section of the predefined path
Implementation Method 2
a reaction volume in which reagent ions can interact with analytes in order to form analyte ions, in particular by chemical ionization
Data Source
AI summary
An ion molecule reactor for generating analyte ions from analytes comprises: a) a reaction volume in which reagent ions can interact with the analytes in order to form analyte ions; b) at least one analyte inlet for introducing the analytes along an inlet path into the reaction volume whereby, preferably, the inlet path runs essentially along at least a first section of the predefined transit path in the reaction volume; c) at least one reagent ion source and/or at least one reagent ion inlet for providing reagent ions into the reaction volume; d) optionally, at least one ion guide comprising an electrode arrangement which is configured for producing an alternating electrical, magnetic and/or electromagnetic field, that allows for guiding the reagent ions and/or the analyte ions at least along a section of the predefined transit path, preferably along the whole transit path, through the reaction volume. There is also provided a sampler comprising one or more chambers, wherein each chamber is configured for receiving an individual sample and comprises an inlet and an outlet, such that a gaseous fluid flow can pass through each of the chambers.