Ion Storage Segmentation for Mass Spectrometry Sensitivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mass spectrometers face limitations in sensitivity and dynamic range due to ion storage capacity and analysis speed, leading to ion loss and nonlinear response at high ion flux, which restricts the analysis of multiple precursors and sensitivity gain.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mass spectrometer system with an ion source, mass filter or TOF separator, ion storage device, and ion mobility cell, where ions are filtered and processed in a series of packets to match the capacity and processing speed, using techniques like multi-notch isolation and parallel ion processing pipelines to control ion flux and reduce unnecessary ions, allowing for longer analysis times and increased sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If ion storage capacity is increased to improve sensitivity, then more ions can be accumulated for analysis, but the device complexity and analysis time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ion storage device is divided into multiple discrete storage regions or cells that can independently hold ion packets. This segmentation allows the system to accumulate ions in a structured manner across multiple regions, increasing total storage capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through modular architecture. Each segment can be controlled and accessed independently, enabling efficient ion retrieval and analysis.
2Productivity
If ion flux is increased to improve analysis speed, then more ions are processed per unit time, but ion loss increases due to exceeding storage capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control mechanisms that monitor the current ion storage capacity and dynamically adjust the ion flux from the ion source. When storage regions approach capacity, the system automatically reduces incoming ion flux or redirects ions to alternative storage regions. This feedback loop ensures optimal utilization of storage capacity while maintaining high analysis speed and preventing ion loss.
3Productivity
If ion flux is increased to improve throughput, then more ions are analyzed per unit time, but nonlinear response occurs due to space charge effects
Solution Approach 1:
The ion beam is segmented into multiple discrete packets that are stored separately in different regions of the ion storage device. By dividing the total ion flux into smaller, manageable packets, the system maintains lower ion density within each packet, thereby reducing space charge effects and preserving response linearity. The segmented packets can then be sequentially released and analyzed, achieving high throughput without sacrificing measurement accuracy.
4Measurement precision
If analysis time is extended to improve sensitivity, then more ions can be accumulated, but the processing speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Ions are preliminarily accumulated and stored in the ion storage device during the analysis time extension period, preparing them for rapid sequential analysis. The storage device holds multiple ion packets that have been pre-separated and organized, enabling fast retrieval and processing without requiring extended analysis time for each individual packet. This preliminary action decouples the accumulation phase from the analysis phase, allowing both long accumulation times for sensitivity and fast processing speeds.
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 enables high sensitivity and dynamic range analysis by optimizing ion flux and processing, allowing for faster and more efficient analysis of multiple precursors with reduced ion loss, enhancing the analytical throughput and sensitivity of mass spectrometers.
Implementation Method 1
a mass filter or a time-of-flight (TOF) ion separator configured to receive a stream of first-generation ions from the ion source
Implementation Method 2
transferred ions are radially confined by an RF field and are pushed by a gas flow against a rising edge of a first axial electric DC field barrier such that the transferred ions are spatially separated along the rising edge according to ion mobility
Implementation Method 3
transferred ions are radially confined by an RF field
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer system comprises: (a) an ion source; (b) a mass filter or a time-of-flight (TOF) ion separator configured to receive a stream of first-generation ions from the ion source; (c) an ion storage device having an ion inlet configured to receive a stream of filtered ions comprising a plurality of ion species from the mass filter or TOF separator and to accumulate the plurality of ion species therein; (d) an ion mobility cell having an ion inlet configured to receive an accumulated batch of ion species from the ion storage device and an ion outlet configured to release, one at a time, the individual ion species therefrom; and (e) a mass analyzer configured to receive and mass analyze each first-generation ion species or each fragment ion species generated by fragmentation or other reaction of the various first-generation ion species.