Probe Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry Component Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In PESI mass spectrometry, the lack of component separation in samples leads to difficulties in identifying and quantifying target components due to overlapping ion peaks from multiple components with similar chemical structures, resulting in reduced identification and quantification accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A PESI mass spectrometer with a probe voltage control unit that applies varying high voltages to the probe, allowing for multiple mass spectrometry analyses under different voltage conditions to separate and identify components based on their unique ionization efficiencies, using a mass spectrometry unit capable of performing MS/MS analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple components are analyzed simultaneously without separation, then analysis speed is improved, but identification accuracy deteriorates due to overlapping ion peaks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the voltage parameter applied to the probe to separate components with similar chemical structures. By applying different voltages (e.g., +3.0 kV and -3.0 kV), components ionize with different efficiencies, causing their ion peak intensities to vary differently across voltage conditions. This allows differentiation and identification of individual components even when their mass spectra overlap, resolving the contradiction between fast simultaneous analysis and accurate component identification.
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 separation of components in the mass spectrometry results, improving the identification and quantification accuracy of target components without the need for additional separation techniques like chromatography.
Implementation Method 1
a strong electric field acts on the sample attached to the tip of the probe, an electrospray phenomenon is caused, and the molecules of components in the sample are ionized and desorbed
Data Source
AI summary
The probe drive unit (21) collects a sample (8) at the tip of the probe (6) by lowering and raising the probe (6) under the control of the control unit (25). After that, the high voltage generating unit (20) applies a high voltage whose voltage value increases in a slope shape to the probe (6), and meanwhile, the mass spectrometry unit behind the capillary tube (10) performs product ion scan measurements on the two-step probe voltage, and the mass spectrum data obtained in each measurement is stored in the first and the second probe voltage corresponding data storage units (301 and 302). When the ionization efficiencies of the plurality of types of components contained in the sample (8) have a probe voltage dependence, ion peaks derived from different types of components appear in the two mass spectra. Thus, a plurality of types of components contained in the sample can be roughly separated, and the identification performance based on the mass spectrum and the quantitative performance based on the chromatogram can be improved.