Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer Fragment Data Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion trap mass spectrometers face challenges in performing MS/MS analysis in a short period due to the time required for isolation and collision-induced dissociation steps, limiting the number of MS spectra that can be obtained, especially in high-speed liquid chromatography where component elution times are shorter.
Innovation Solution
The method involves gaining an MS spectrum of only fragment data by subtracting the pre-MS/MS analysis spectrum from the post-MS/MS analysis spectrum, eliminating the need for isolation and collision-dissociation steps, allowing for a process similar to MS analysis, thereby shortening the analysis time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional MS/MS analysis with isolation and collision-induced dissociation steps is performed, then structural information can be obtained, but the analysis time becomes too long for high-speed liquid chromatography
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary function (obtaining fragment ion data for structural information) from the complete MS/MS process, eliminating the isolation and collision-induced dissociation steps. This is achieved by directly measuring fragment ions produced by the collision cell without requiring prior isolation in the ion trap, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining the ability to obtain structural information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the MS/MS measurement process into essential and non-essential parts. The essential part (collision-induced dissociation and fragment ion detection) is retained, while the non-essential parts (isolation steps) are removed. This segmentation allows the system to perform rapid MS/MS analysis suitable for high-speed liquid chromatography while still obtaining necessary structural information.
2Productivity
If multiple MS spectra are obtained in short time, then productivity increases, but the number of MS spectra that can be obtained is limited by the isolation and dissociation time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous measurement of fragment ions by eliminating the discrete isolation and dissociation steps that create time gaps in the measurement process. The ion trap continuously accumulates ions while the collision cell continuously produces fragment ions, allowing for uninterrupted detection and significantly increasing the number of MS spectra that can be obtained per unit time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the time-consuming isolation and collision-induced dissociation steps that traditionally precede fragment ion measurement. By directly measuring fragment ions produced in the collision cell without requiring prior isolation, the system rushes through the measurement process, thereby increasing productivity and the number of spectra obtainable within the short elution times of high-speed liquid chromatography.
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 the acquisition of MS/MS spectra in a shorter period, allowing for more efficient analysis and reducing the impact of varying peak areas in quantitative calculations, especially when multiple components elute simultaneously.
Implementation Method 1
the introduced ions are trapped in an electric field made of its ion trap unit
Implementation Method 2
molecules of the sample is ionized, and the ionized ions are introduced into the mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 3
subjecting selectively left ions to dissociation by making them collide with neutral molecules such as rare gas molecules thereby to break bonds of the molecular ion
Data Source
AI summary
Provide is an ion trap mass spectrometer which is configured to gain an MS spectrum of only fragment data in an MS/MS analysis, thereby makes it possible to perform the analysis in a short period. For this purpose, the device is comprised of: an ionization unit configured to ionize a sample which has been separated into respective components; an ion trap unit configured to trap ions ionized by ionization unit in an electric field and eject the ions in accordance with the respective masses of the ions; a detection unit configured to detect the ions ejected from the ion trap unit; and a processing unit configured to generate an MS spectrum (mass spectrum) on the basis of data detected in the detection unit. The processing unit further configured to gain an MS spectrum of only fragment data of a target ion from a difference between an MS spectrum gained in an MS analysis made before and/or after an MS/MS analysis and an MS spectrum gained in the MS/MS analysis.