Mass Spectrometric System with Time-Dependent Estimation Rules

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mass spectrometric systems face challenges in accurately estimating content information due to changes in spectrum intensity and shape over time, making it difficult to differentiate between target compounds and impurities, especially when combined with gas or liquid chromatography.

Innovation Solution

A mass spectrometric system that incorporates a user-inputtable estimation rule for each measurement time, component, and operation, allowing for precise content information estimation by normalizing intensities and integrating estimation results across multiple measurement times, thereby accounting for fluctuations in spectrum intensity and shape.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mass spectrometric measurement is performed over time to capture spectrum transitions, then the ability to account for volatility and reactivity effects is improved, but the complexity of data analysis increases due to time-dependent intensity and shape variations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of content information estimationVSAvoidcomplexity of data analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the mass spectrometric measurement process into multiple discrete measurement times (t1, t2, t3, ..., tn) to capture the temporal evolution of spectrum intensity and shape. By dividing the continuous measurement into discrete time points, the system can analyze spectrum transitions at each segment while maintaining manageable data complexity through structured comparison across segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamics by making the estimation rule time-dependent, allowing it to adapt to changing spectrum characteristics at different measurement times. The estimation rule is configured to account for the dynamic variations in intensity and shape caused by volatility and reactivity, transforming a static analysis approach into a dynamic one that evolves with the measurement process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If dynamic estimation rules are used to account for spectrum transitions over time, then the precision of content information estimation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of content information estimationVSAvoidcomplexity of estimation rule configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the estimation rule to account for expected spectrum transitions over time. The user inputs estimation parameters before measurement begins, and the system prepares the time-dependent estimation framework in advance. This preliminary configuration enables the system to handle dynamic spectrum variations without requiring complex real-time adjustments during measurement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs feedback by using the measured spectrum data from each time point to refine and update the estimation process. The system compares actual spectrum intensity and shape at each measurement time with the time-dependent estimation rule, and adjusts the content information estimation based on this feedback loop, thereby improving precision while maintaining manageable complexity through iterative refinement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 precise estimation of content information even when spectra transition over time, improving accuracy and reliability by using dynamic estimation rules and integrating measurement data to reduce the impact of noise and fluctuations.

Implementation Method 1

a mass spectrometric unit (100) configured to execute mass spectrometry in accordance with a control sequence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

a mass spectrometric system comprising: a mass spectrometric unit (100) configured to execute mass spectrometry in accordance with a control sequence

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMass spectrometry:

Data Source

PatentEP2634792B1Mass spectrometric system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP
  • EP2634792B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2634792B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2634792B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is a tendency of the intensity and the shape of a spectrum to be measured transitioning with the passage of measured time, depending on the volatility and the reactivity of a component. A mass spectrometric system includes: a mass spectrometric unit 100 that measures a specimen and outputs a mass spectrum; and an estimator that has an estimation rule on content information, the estimation rule being assigned to each component and each measurement time. The estimator estimates, based on a mass spectrum output from the mass spectrometric unit 100, content information on each component of a plurality of components that may be contained in the specimen in accordance with the estimation rule.