Lattice Substrate Ordered Pores Direct Ionization Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional mass spectrometry techniques, such as LC-MS, are time-consuming and require significant expertise, and the use of cellulose paper substrates limits the analysis to specific classes of molecules and is not tunable, negatively impacting direct ionization MS results.
Innovation Solution
A 3D printed lattice substrate with engineered architecture and ordered pores, suitable for direct ionization MS, which can be tuned with coatings and porosities to analyze a wide range of chemical and biological fluids, eliminating the need for paper substrates and reducing the complexity of the analysis process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cellulose paper substrate is used for direct ionization MS, then the analysis time is reduced compared to LC-MS, but the substrate cannot be tuned to analyze a wide range of molecule classes
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple regions with different surface energies, allowing each region to be optimized for specific molecule classes. This enables the single substrate to handle diverse analytes including hydrocarbons, polar compounds, and biomolecules simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between fast analysis and broad molecule class coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate uses composite material construction with varying surface energy regions, combining different material properties in one substrate. This allows the substrate to maintain fast direct ionization analysis while being adaptable to multiple molecule classes through its composite structure.
2Measurement precision
If traditional LC-MS process is used, then good separation of complex samples is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the liquid chromatography separation step from the traditional LC-MS process. The substrate's engineered surface energy regions perform sample preparation and focusing functions, allowing direct ionization MS to achieve adequate separation quality without the time-consuming LC step, thus reducing analysis time while maintaining acceptable measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is segmented into multiple regions with different surface energies, each optimized for specific compound classes. This segmentation enables the substrate to perform differential separation and focusing of complex samples directly on the substrate surface, achieving good separation quality without requiring the full LC-MS process.
3Ease of manufacture
If cellulose paper substrate is used, then simple sample holding is provided, but the substrate is not tunable and limits analysis to a few molecule classes
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate incorporates regions with different surface energies in a single manufactured structure. This local quality variation allows the substrate to be tuned for different molecule classes while maintaining ease of manufacture through a single substrate design that handles multiple analyte types.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate is designed with multi-functional regions that can analyze different molecule classes including hydrocarbons, polar compounds, and biomolecules. This universal design maintains manufacturing simplicity while providing the tunability needed for diverse analyte analysis.
4Device complexity
If paper substrate is used for direct ionization MS, then the process is simplified compared to LC-MS, but the results quality is negatively impacted due to lack of tunability
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate uses local quality variation with different surface energy regions to improve MS analysis results quality. Each region is optimized for specific compound classes, enabling better ionization efficiency and signal quality while maintaining the simplified direct ionization process without LC-MS complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate modifies surface energy parameters across different regions to optimize ionization for various molecule classes. This parameter variation improves measurement precision and results quality while keeping the device complexity low through a single substrate design.
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
The substrate enables rapid, efficient analysis of complex matrices, including hydrophilic and hydrophobic molecules, reduces variability in the extraction/ionization process, and eliminates the need for solvent-intensive liquid chromatography, allowing for simple, all-in-one sample processing and ionization.
Implementation Method 1
The substrate may include a form factor with a length and width each being greater than a thickness thereof
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a lattice substrate adapted for use in direct ionization mass spectrometry. The substrate may have a plurality of tessellated unit cells forming an integral structure. Each tessellated unit cell may have a dimension of no more than about 1.5 mm and may include a plurality of pores arranged in an ordered pattern. The substrate may further include a form factor suitable for use with a direct ionization mass spectrometry system.