PESI Ion Source Sample Plate for Reliable Solid-Liquid Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PESI ion source methods are inefficient and cumbersome for handling both solid and liquid samples, requiring additional solvent mechanisms and leading to reduced measurement reliability and increased complexity and cost, especially when switching between sample types.
Innovation Solution
A sample plate design for PESI ion sources featuring a plate-shaped main body with a concave portion and a lid with a bored opening, allowing secure sample containment and solvent storage, enabling efficient ionization of both solid and liquid samples without additional solvent supply mechanisms, and facilitating automated sample handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate solvent supply mechanism is added to the PESI ion source, then the ionization of solid samples can be improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the solvent storage function with the sample plate structure by integrating a solvent storage chamber into the plate body. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate solvent supply mechanisms while maintaining reliable ionization, directly resolving the contradiction between ionization reliability and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sample plate is designed to automatically manage solvent delivery through its integrated chamber and wick structure. The system serves itself by using the sample plate's own structure to store and deliver solvent to the probe tip without requiring external solvent supply equipment, thus improving ionization reliability while avoiding increased device complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple sample types (solid and liquid) are measured sequentially, then measurement versatility is improved, but measurement time and labor increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The sample plate is designed with universal functionality to handle both solid and liquid samples using the same操作流程. The plate's structure with its concave sample holding area and integrated solvent chamber allows it to serve multiple purposes - holding solid samples that need solvent delivery and containing liquid samples directly, eliminating the need for different handling procedures and reducing measurement time
Solution Approach 2:
The sample plate pre-positions the solvent in its storage chamber and structures the sample holding area to facilitate direct probe contact. This preliminary arrangement of samples and solvent eliminates the need for manual solvent addition and sample repositioning when switching between sample types, significantly reducing measurement time and labor
3Measurement precision
If the probe pierces the same sample site multiple times, then measurement precision can be maintained, but sample position drift reduces reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual sample positioning and probe alignment with an automated positioning system that uses the sample plate's structured geometry as reference. The plate's fixed concave area and opening provide mechanical references that enable automated, precise repositioning of both sample and probe, maintaining measurement precision while eliminating position drift errors that reduce reliability
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
The sample plate design enhances measurement accuracy and sensitivity by ensuring consistent solvent contact during ionization, simplifies the device structure, and improves efficiency by allowing seamless switching between solid and liquid samples, reducing labor and complexity.
Implementation Method 1
the lid has an opening bored through the lid in a top-to-bottom direction at a position above the concave portion when the lid is closed so as to cover the top surface of the main body
Data Source
Figure 1~2D
Figure 3A~4C
Figure 5~7C
AI summary
A sample plate for a solid sample includes a plate-shaped main body (2) and lid (3). The main body (2) has a concave portion (21), in which a sample placement platform (21a) shaped like a cylinder protrudes from the central area of the bottom surface of the concave portion (21). The lid (3) has a funnel-shaped opening (31) bored at a position immediately above the concave portion (21). The diameter of the opening (31) on the lower side is approximately the same as that of the sample placement platform (21a). After a sample (7), e.g. a biological tissue section, is placed in the concave portion (21), the lid (3) is closed. Then, the lower wall surface of the lid (3) surrounding the opening (31) presses the sample (7) downward. The sample (7) is thereby sandwiched between the lower wall surface and the sample placement platform (21a). A solvent for ionization is injected into the opening (31) whose lower side is thus closed by the sample (7). When a measurement is performed, a probe (106) is lowered and made to pierce the sample (7). When the probe is subsequently lifted, the solvent adheres to the sample which has been adhered to the tip of the probe. With the sample securely held, the same site of the sample can be repeatedly pierced with the probe. The ionization can be satisfactorily performed since the sample has a sufficient amount of solvent adhered.