Mass Spectrometer Dual Fluid Pathways for Coeluting Analyte Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques face challenges in analyzing complex mixtures with coeluting analytes, as they require time-consuming polarity switching between positive and negative ionization modes, leading to prolonged analysis times for large sample sets.
Innovation Solution
The system employs dual fluid pathways with fluid splitters to direct sample portions to a mass spectrometer at different times, allowing for simultaneous analysis in both positive and negative ionization modes, reducing the need for repeated sample injections and significantly decreasing analysis time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If polarity switching between positive and negative ionization modes is performed sequentially for each sample injection, then comprehensive analysis of coeluting analytes is achieved, but analysis time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sample stream is divided into two separate streams using a fluid splitter, with each stream directed to the mass spectrometer through different fluid pathways. This allows simultaneous analysis in positive and negative ionization modes without sequential polarity switching, reducing analysis time while maintaining comprehensive detection of coeluting analytes
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a temporal dimension by creating time delays in one of the fluid pathways, allowing the mass spectrometer to analyze samples in both positive and negative ionization modes simultaneously. The time delay ensures that while one stream is being analyzed in positive mode, the other stream is prepared for negative mode analysis, eliminating the need for sequential switching
2Loss of information
If multiple sample injections are performed to analyze different ionization modes, then complete spectral data is obtained, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The single sample injection is segmented into two parallel streams, each analyzed simultaneously in different ionization modes. This eliminates the need for multiple sequential injections while ensuring complete spectral data is obtained from both positive and negative ionization modes, thereby maintaining high-throughput analysis capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the analysis of positive and negative ionization modes into a single simultaneous operation by using a fluid splitter to create parallel analysis pathways. This combining of previously sequential operations into a concurrent process maintains complete spectral data acquisition while dramatically improving productivity
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 faster analysis of coeluting analytes, reducing the total analysis time from approximately 34 hours to a fraction of that, improving efficiency and precision in high-throughput analysis.
Implementation Method 1
When a sample molecule, or analyte, is first introduced into the mass spectrometer, it is received by the ionization source and bombarded with a beam of energetic electrons. Consequently, the analyte is broken apart into many ionized fragments.
Implementation Method 2
The mass analyzer component then sorts these ionized fragments by the ratio of their mass to electrical charge (m/z).
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer comprised of a mass analyzer, ion source and detector has the capability of analyzing samples in both positive and negative ionization modes. The mass spectrometer used in conjunction with a liquid chromatograph, fluid splitters and a plurality fluid pathways so that a large volume of analysis may be performed quickly and with high precision and accuracy. The apparatus is also capable of analyzing complex mixtures such as coeluting samples.