Liquid Sample Perturbation for Mass Spectrometry Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometry techniques face inefficiencies in ionizing liquid samples, particularly at high flow rates and with high surface tension liquids, leading to reduced sensitivity and poor sample utilization.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of internal energy perturbations, such as shock waves, cavitation bubbles, and gas bubbles, into the liquid sample before injection into the ionization chamber enhances the breakup of the liquid jet into micro-droplets, improving ionization efficiency and sensitivity, and allowing for higher sample flow rates and analysis of higher surface tension liquids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional electrospray ionization is used at high sample flow rates, then the liquid jet breakup is inefficient, but increasing flow rate should improve productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by introducing perturbations (shock waves, cavitation bubbles, or gas bubbles) into the liquid sample before it reaches the ionization chamber. These perturbations pre-fragment the liquid jet, creating a finer droplet distribution that enhances subsequent ionization efficiency even at high flow rates. The perturbations are generated upstream in the liquid handling system, allowing the liquid to arrive at the ionization chamber already primed for efficient breakup.
2Reliability
If pneumatic assisted electrospray with nebulizing gas is used, then micro-droplet formation is improved, but spatial dilution reduces ionization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the beneficial micro-droplet formation mechanism from pneumatic assistance while removing the harmful spatial dilution effect. This is achieved by eliminating or minimizing the nebulizing gas flow and instead using internal perturbations (shock waves, cavitation, or injected gas bubbles within the liquid) to create fine droplets. The liquid sample is perturbed upstream to form droplets before entering the ionization chamber, avoiding the dilution that would occur with high volumes of nebulizing gas.
3Manufacturing precision
If nano-electrospray with smaller aperture is used, then finer micro-droplets are generated, but sensitivity decreases due to low flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-fragmenting the liquid jet upstream using shock waves, cavitation bubbles, or injected gas bubbles before the liquid reaches the needle aperture. This preliminary fragmentation creates a finer droplet distribution that enables the use of larger aperture needles, thereby maintaining high flow rates and sensitivity while achieving fine droplet formation suitable for nano-electrospray applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the liquid sample by introducing perturbations that alter its internal energy and structure. Shock waves, cavitation bubbles, or injected gas bubbles modify the liquid's flow characteristics and surface properties, enabling efficient droplet formation with larger aperture needles and thus maintaining higher flow rates without sacrificing droplet fineness.
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 increases the ionization efficiency and sensitivity of mass spectrometric analysis, enabling effective handling of higher flow rates and surface tension liquids without the spatial dilution and degradation associated with conventional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the deposition of internal energy into the liquid sample in the form of perturbations (e.g., shock waves, cavitation bubbles, injected gas bubbles) prior to injection into the ionization chamber
Implementation Method 2
the deposition of internal energy into the liquid sample in the form of perturbations (e.g., shock waves, cavitation bubbles, injected gas bubbles) prior to injection into the ionization chamber
Implementation Method 3
A strong electric field generated by an electric potential difference between the needle and a counter electrode electrically charges the liquid sample and causes the jet of liquid to explode into a plurality of micro-droplets
Implementation Method 4
As solvent within the micro-droplets evaporates during desolvation in the ionization chamber, bare charged analyte ions can enter the sampling orifice of the mass analyzer
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for generating ions from a liquid sample for mass spectrometry are provided herein. In various aspects, the methods and systems can enhance the break-up of a jet of the liquid sample upon injection into an ionization chamber. In some aspects, methods and systems perturb the liquid sample prior to discharge to increase the internal energy of the sample so as to enhance the formation of liquid droplets when the liquid sample is injected into the ionization chamber.