Miniature Mass Spectrometer Nanoelectrospray Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing miniature mass spectrometers are expensive, large, and prone to contamination due to epoxy seals, limiting their sensitivity in analyzing biological small molecules like toxins and spores under vacuum conditions.
Innovation Solution
A miniature mass spectrometer system using nanoelectrospray to ionize liquid samples in a vacuum environment, with a differentially pumped front end and electromagnetic fields for ion separation, reducing the need for large pumps and power, and eliminating heat-based drying, allowing analysis of biological small molecules with improved sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If epoxy seals are used to join semiconductor substrates in miniature mass spectrometers, then device assembly is simplified, but gas contamination occurs under vacuum conditions limiting sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the epoxy seal component from the device architecture entirely. Instead of joining substrates with epoxy, the invention uses direct bonding or alternative sealing methods that eliminate the source of gas contamination while maintaining structural integrity under vacuum conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediate sealing structures or bonding layers that replace epoxy seals. These intermediaries provide the necessary mechanical bonding and sealing function without introducing gas-phase contaminants, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of assembly and vacuum compatibility.
2Ease of operation
If conventional electrospray ionization is used, then liquid samples can be ionized, but large pumps and high power are required reducing portability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of electrospray ionization by operating at reduced pressure (vacuum) conditions. This parameter change allows the use of smaller vacuum pumps while maintaining effective ionization, and the nanospray configuration further reduces the required pump capacity and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional atmospheric pressure electrospray system with a vacuum-based nanospray system. This substitution eliminates the need for large pumping systems and complex support equipment, achieving sample ionization with minimal mechanical infrastructure.
3Quantity of substance
If heat-based drying is used in sample preparation, then liquid samples can be concentrated, but thermal degradation of biological molecules occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transition under vacuum conditions to concentrate and dry liquid samples. By operating the nanospray in a vacuum environment, solvent evaporation occurs at lower temperatures through phase transition, achieving sample concentration without thermal degradation of sensitive biological molecules.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert vacuum environment for sample preparation that protects biological molecules from thermal damage. The vacuum atmosphere allows for low-temperature drying and concentration processes, maintaining molecule integrity while achieving the desired sample concentration.
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
Enables efficient analysis of biological small molecules with enhanced sensitivity and reduced contamination, making it suitable for portable and cost-effective applications in military, homeland security, and industrial settings.
Implementation Method 1
nanoelectrospray of a test sample into a vacuum ionizing chamber
Implementation Method 2
vaporizes a fluid i.e. liquid sample into an atomized spray without heat and drying gas
Implementation Method 3
Different ionized constituents of the sample travel along different paths to the detector array in accordance with their mass to charge ratios
Data Source
AI summary
Analysis of biological small molecules such as toxins, spores or cells is achieved by miniature mass spectrometer apparatus and apparatus attached thereto for vaporizing and ionizing a liquid sample fed into an evacuated vaporization chamber as an electrospray. The mass spectrometer apparatus includes: a collimation chamber, a repeller assembly, an internal ionization chamber, a mass filter and ion separation chamber, a drift space region, and a multi-channel ion detection array so as to permit the collection and analysis of ions formed over a wide mass range simultaneously. The vaporization chamber includes an output port adjacent the input to the collimation chamber so as to maximize the amount of vaporized material being fed into the mass spectrometer apparatus.