Atmospheric Ionization Probe with Oscillating Substrate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ionization methods for mass spectrometry struggle to achieve high spatial resolution and efficiently ionize organic components from solid samples as multiply charged ions under atmospheric pressure, with existing techniques facing challenges in forming small liquid bridges and aligning capillaries, and limited ionization efficiency for biological molecules.
Innovation Solution
An ionization method involving a probe that supplies liquid onto a substrate to form a liquid bridge, oscillates the substrate, and generates an electric field between the probe and an ion extraction electrode, allowing for efficient ionization of substances under atmospheric pressure and enhancing the formation of multiply charged ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a liquid bridge is formed between two capillaries to ionize a micro region, then spatial resolution is improved, but the apparatus complexity increases due to the need for precise alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the alignment mechanism requirement by using a single capillary instead of two capillaries that need precise alignment. The single capillary directly forms the liquid bridge with the sample surface, eliminating the need for complex alignment mechanisms between multiple capillaries while maintaining micro-region ionization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the ionization process into distinct functional components: a single capillary for solvent delivery, a separate ionization region, and independent sample positioning. This segmentation simplifies the overall apparatus by removing the need for precise relative alignment between multiple capillaries while maintaining the ability to target micro regions.
2Productivity
If voltage is applied to the mixture solution to improve ionization efficiency, then ionization efficiency is improved, but the apparatus complexity increases due to additional voltage application mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The single capillary serves multiple functions: it delivers the solvent, forms the liquid bridge, and acts as the voltage application electrode. By making the capillary multi-functional, the patent improves ionization efficiency through voltage application without adding separate voltage application mechanisms, thus avoiding increased apparatus complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the solvent delivery function and the voltage application function into a single component (the capillary). This consolidation eliminates the need for separate mechanisms for each function, simplifying the apparatus while achieving efficient ionization through applied voltage.
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 method enables stable and efficient ionization of biological components, improving spatial resolution and ionization efficiency, allowing for the detection of biological molecules with high valence ions, even with low mass-to-charge ratio detectors, and reducing the complexity of apparatus design.
Implementation Method 1
supplying liquid onto a substrate from a probe and forming a liquid bridge made of the liquid containing the substance, between the probe and the substrate
Implementation Method 2
oscillating the substrate
Implementation Method 3
generating an electric field between an electrically conductive portion of the probe in contact with the liquid and an ion extraction electrode
Implementation Method 4
generating an electric field between an electrically conductive portion of the probe in contact with the liquid and an ion extraction electrode
Implementation Method 5
The combination of the oscillation and the electric field enables the formation of multiply charged ions
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention has an object to achieve soft ionization more easily when a slight amount of substance is ionized under an atmosphere pressure. The present invention provides an ionization method for a substance contained in a liquid, including: supplying the liquid to a substrate from a probe and forming a liquid bridge made of the liquid containing the substance dissolved therein, between the probe and the substrate; oscillating the substrate; and generating an electric field between an electrically conductive portion of the probe in contact with the liquid and an ion extraction electrode.