Charged Particle Purification by Mass, Charge, and Mobility Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spectrometry instruments are limited in the number and types of measurable molecular characteristics, restricting the purification of particles.
Innovation Solution
A particle purification device and method that generate charged particles from a sample, measure their masses, charge magnitudes, and mass-to-charge ratios, and selectively pass particles meeting specific criteria to a collection target.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional spectrometry instruments are used to measure molecular characteristics, then the identification of chemical components is achieved, but the number and types of measurable molecular characteristics are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a multi-functional particle analysis system that combines mass spectrometry, charge detection, and mobility measurement capabilities within a single instrument. This allows the system to measure multiple molecular characteristics (mass, charge, mobility) simultaneously, resolving the limitation of conventional instruments that can only measure one or two parameters at a time
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures multiple parameters (mass-to-charge ratio, charge magnitude, mobility) for each particle and uses these parameter changes to identify and purify specific particle populations. By monitoring how particles behave across different measurement parameters, the system can distinguish between particles of the same mass but different charge states or mobility characteristics
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple molecular characteristics are measured to improve particle identification, then the purification capability is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges mass spectrometry, charge detection, and mobility measurement functions into a single integrated instrument. By combining these measurement capabilities in one device rather than using separate instruments, the system enhances purification capability while minimizing the increase in device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses an ion mobility separator as an intermediary component between the ion source and the detector. This intermediary allows particles to be separated based on their mobility characteristics before detection, enabling the measurement of multiple parameters without requiring completely separate measurement systems
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 purification of particles based on molecular characteristics, enhancing the identification and separation of desired subpopulations.
Implementation Method 1
an ion generator configured to generate charged particles from a sample
Implementation Method 2
an ion processing region configured to receive the charged particles generated by the ion generator and to measure at least one of masses and charge magnitudes of the generated charged particles
Implementation Method 3
means for selectively passing charged particles exiting the ion processing region to the particle collection target
Data Source
AI summary
A method for purifying particles generates charged particles from a sample, measures at least at least one of masses, charge magnitudes, and mobilities of the generated charged particles, and selectively passes to a collection surface of a particle collection target for collection on the collection surface each of the measured charged particles having at least one of (a) a measured mass equal to a selected mass or within a selected range of particle masses, (b) a measured charge magnitude equal to a selected charge magnitude or within a selected range of charge magnitudes, and (c) a measured mobility equal to a selected mobility or range of mobilities.