Movable Ionisation Source Autosampler for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Autosamplers for obtaining mass spectra from fluid samples often experience intermixing of samples during transfer, leading to contaminated spectra and reduced accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A movable ionisation source within the autosampler connects sequentially to each container's docking port to collect and ionise samples, then transfer them to a mass analyser, reducing sample path length and interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If samples are transferred from containers to the ionisation source through a fixed sample path, then the analysis can be performed, but sample intermixing occurs during transfer leading to contaminated mass spectra
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving samples through a fixed path from containers to the ionisation source, the patent inverts the approach by moving the ionisation source to each container sequentially. This reverses the traditional sampling paradigm and eliminates the long shared sample path that causes intermixing, as each sampling event occurs at the container location itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the sampling process by having the ionisation source visit each container individually in sequence rather than all containers connecting to a common sample path. This segmentation isolates each sample's transfer path, preventing intermixing between different samples while maintaining efficient analysis throughput.
2Device complexity
If a fixed ionisation source position is used, then the device structure is simpler, but the sample path length increases causing sample intermixing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the ionisation source movable rather than fixed. The ionisation source travels along a movement path to each container's docking port, dynamically adjusting its position for each sampling event. This dynamic positioning reduces the effective sample path length for each container while the overall device structure remains integrated and manageable.
3Measurement precision
If the ionisation source moves sequentially to each container, then sample intermixing is minimized, but the sampling process takes more time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains continuity of useful action by having the ionisation source move sequentially and continuously from one container to the next without idle periods. The movement path is optimized to minimize travel time between containers, and the ionisation source is ready to immediately begin ionisation upon reaching each docking port, ensuring the sampling process flows continuously rather than intermittently.
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 enhances the accuracy of mass spectra by minimizing sample intermixing and interference, allowing for more precise analysis of multiple fluid samples.
Implementation Method 1
an ionisation source for ionising at least a part of the samples to ions
Data Source
AI summary
An autosampler for obtaining mass spectra from a plurality of fluid samples, in particular gaseous samples including a plurality of containers including sample sources providing the samples, wherein each one of the containers provides a docking port for being connected with a connector for enabling access to an inside of the respective container via the connector in order to obtain the respective sample from the respective container via said connector. The autosampler further includes an ionisation source for ionising at least a part of the samples, and a mass analyser for obtaining the mass spectra from the ions. The ionisation source is moveable within the autosampler sequentially to each of the containers for connecting the connector to the docking port of the respective container for collecting the sample from the respective container for ionising at least a part of the sample and obtaining the mass spectra from the ions.