Open-Port Sampling Probe for In-Probe Reaction Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques require extensive pre-treatment and sample preparation, leading to high dilution, error, and low throughput, which hampers sensitivity and reaction kinetics monitoring.
Innovation Solution
A method and system where the flow of a first solvent in a sampling probe is selectively stopped, allowing reactants in a second solvent to be added to the sampling space, enabling efficient delivery of reaction products to the ion source, reducing reagent consumption, and improving reaction kinetics monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional mass spectrometry techniques are used with extensive pre-treatment steps, then sample preparation can be performed, but dilution increases and sensitivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs reactions directly within the sampling probe before analysis, eliminating the need for separate pre-treatment steps. Reactants are mixed and reacted in-situ within the probe, and the reaction products are immediately analyzed by mass spectrometry, preventing dilution that would occur during traditional sample preparation steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the sample preparation (reaction) step with the sampling step by performing both operations within the same sampling probe. This integration eliminates the separation between reaction and analysis, preventing dilution and maintaining sensitivity
2Productivity
If conventional analytical systems are used with large sample requirements, then analysis can be performed, but throughput decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-mixes reactants within the sampling probe before introducing them to the mass spectrometer. This allows small volumes of multiple reactants to be combined and reacted simultaneously, enabling high-throughput analysis without requiring large sample volumes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters by performing reactions directly in the sampling probe with controlled mixing and reaction conditions. This enables efficient use of small reagent volumes while maintaining high throughput through rapid in-probe reaction and analysis
3Measurement precision
If reactants are added to a flowing solvent system, then continuous analysis can be performed, but reaction kinetics monitoring becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses periodic stopping and resumption of solvent flow within the sampling probe to enable reaction kinetics monitoring. The flow is stopped to allow reactions to occur, then resumed to transport reaction products to the mass spectrometer for analysis, creating a cyclical process that captures kinetic information
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs reactions during stopped-flow periods before resuming flow for analysis. This preliminary reaction step allows kinetic monitoring by capturing reaction progress at different time points through controlled flow interruption and resumption
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 decreases dilution, increases sensitivity, and enhances reaction kinetics monitoring while reducing reagent consumption, thereby improving the overall throughput of mass spectrometry-based analytical devices.
Implementation Method 1
delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions
Implementation Method 2
one or more reaction products contained within the second solvent and generated by said one or more reactants may be ionized for mass spectrometric analysis
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings. MS-based systems and methods are provided in which the flow of solvent into an open port sampling probe fluidly coupled to an ion source can be selectively stopped during the addition of one or more reagents into the drained open end of the sampling probe. Upon re-initiating the flow of solvent, the reagents and/or the reaction products can be delivered to the ion source. In one aspect, a method for chemical analysis is provided, the method comprising directing a flow of a first solvent from a solvent conduit to an ion source via a sampling space of a sampling probe, wherein the sampling space is at least partially defined by an open end of the sampling probe. The flow of the first solvent into the sampling space from the solvent conduit may be terminated for a first duration, and the sampling space drained. A second solvent and one or more reactants may then be added to the drained sampling space through the open end during the first duration. Thereafter, the flow of the first solvent may again be directed from the solvent conduit to the ion source via the sampling space such that the second solvent is delivered to the ion source, and such that one or more reaction products contained within the second solvent and generated by said one or more reactants may be ionized for mass spectrometric analysis.