Capillary Positioning in Ion Sources for Reproducible Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing capillary insertion methods in mass spectrometry suffer from low reproducibility due to the capillary's small diameter, which leads to bending and positional deviations, affecting the downstream end's alignment with the ion introduction port, resulting in variations in measurement results.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a deflection site in the gas spray tube that deflects the capillary's downstream end relative to the central axis of the tube's tip hole, improving the capillary's radial position reproducibility by locking it in place through contact points with the deflection site and the tube's inner wall.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a capillary with extremely small inner diameter is used, then ionization efficiency is improved, but the capillary is easily bent and positional deviation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The gas spray tube is pre-formed with a deflection site (bent portion) at a predetermined position upstream of the tip hole. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that when the capillary is inserted, the deflection site automatically contacts and positions the capillary's downstream end at the optimal location, preventing bending and positional deviation before the capillary is fully installed.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection site of the gas spray tube acts as an intermediary element between the capillary and the tip hole. It mediates the positioning by providing a contact point that guides the capillary's downstream end to the correct radial position, ensuring stable alignment without direct contact between the capillary and the tip hole walls.
2Reliability
If the capillary is replaced frequently, then clogging is prevented, but assembly reproducibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection site is pre-formed in the gas spray tube at a specific position and angle. This preliminary preparation ensures that every time a capillary is replaced and inserted, it will be positioned at the same optimal location relative to the tip hole, maintaining consistent assembly reproducibility across multiple replacements.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection site automatically performs the positioning function when the capillary is inserted. The bent portion of the gas spray tube self-adjusts to contact and position the capillary's downstream end, eliminating the need for complex alignment procedures or tools during capillary replacement, thereby ensuring reproducible assembly.
3Measurement precision
If the capillary downstream end is positioned close to the ion introduction port, then detection sensitivity is improved, but positional stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection site is pre-formed at a specific distance upstream of the tip hole, calculated to position the capillary's downstream end at the optimal location close to the ion introduction port when the capillary is inserted. This preliminary geometric preparation ensures both high detection sensitivity and positional stability are achieved simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection site changes the radial parameter of the capillary's downstream end position by providing a contact point that offsets the capillary from the central axis. This parameter adjustment positions the downstream end at the optimal location for ion introduction, balancing sensitivity and stability requirements.
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 configuration enhances the analytical reproducibility by stabilizing the capillary's position, leading to consistent measurement results and improved ionization efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a gas spray tube into which the capillary is inserted, the gas spray tube spraying a gas to the outer side of the capillary
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique for realizing high analysis reproducibility. An ion source of the present disclosure includes a capillary and a gas spray tube into which the capillary is inserted, the gas spray tube spraying a gas to an outer side of the capillary, and the gas spray tube having a deflection site, which deflects a downstream end of the capillary with respect to a central axis of a tip hole of the gas spray tube, on an upstream side of the tip hole of the gas spray tube.