Modified Wetted Porous Substrates for Diffusion-Limited Ion Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mass spectrometry analysis of biofluids, such as blood and urine, face challenges in efficiently analyzing samples due to diffusion issues with wetted porous materials and require extensive sample preparation, which limits the speed and convenience of analysis.
Innovation Solution
The use of modified wetted porous substrates that prevent sample diffusion, combined with a drying agent and a solvent capable of diffusing into the substrate, allows for efficient ion generation and rapid analysis of biofluids without the need for separate solvent flows, enabling direct analysis of complex samples and reducing preparation time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If hydrophilic porous substrate is used for dried blood spot analysis, then sample uptake is improved, but sample diffusion into the substrate occurs which limits extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses porous materials with controlled hydrophobicity to create a substrate that allows initial sample uptake but prevents excessive diffusion. The porous structure provides capillary action for sample absorption while the hydrophobic character limits deep penetration, keeping analytes accessible for extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate's hydrophobicity parameter is specifically adjusted to balance sample uptake and diffusion prevention. By modifying the hydrophobic character of the porous material, the system achieves optimal sample retention without compromising extraction efficiency.
2Measurement precision
If extensive sample preparation is performed, then analytical accuracy is improved, but analysis time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous substrate is pre-treated with specific hydrophobic characteristics before sample application. This preliminary modification of the substrate enables it to automatically perform sample concentration and retention functions, eliminating the need for separate pre-concentration steps while maintaining analytical accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The hydrophobic porous substrate performs sample preparation functions autonomously through its inherent properties. The substrate automatically concentrates analytes and prevents unwanted diffusion without requiring external intervention or additional preparation steps, thereby reducing analysis time while maintaining accuracy.
3Productivity
If separate solvent flow system is used, then analyte transport is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes capillary action (a passive hydraulic principle) within the porous substrate to drive solvent flow and analyte transport. This eliminates the need for active pumping systems or complex fluid delivery mechanisms, reducing device complexity while maintaining efficient analyte transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous substrate itself serves as the transport medium, using its inherent capillary properties to move solvent and analytes through the system. This self-driven transport mechanism eliminates the need for external pumps, valves, or complex flow control 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
This approach enables rapid and efficient analysis of biofluids, including dried blood spots and urine, with improved analytical results and the potential for point-of-care devices, by preventing sample diffusion and using a drying agent to speed up the analysis process.
Implementation Method 1
the porous substrate includes a material that substantially prevents diffusion of a sample into the substrate
Implementation Method 2
using a drying agent to speed up the analysis process
Implementation Method 3
a solvent capable of diffusing into the substrate
Implementation Method 4
connected to a high voltage source... high electric field is used to perform ionization
Data Source
AI summary
The invention generally relates to ion generation using modified wetted porous materials. In certain aspects, the invention generally relates to systems and methods for ion generation using a wetted porous substrate that substantially prevents diffusion of sample into the substrate. In other aspects, the invention generally relate to ion generation using a wetted porous material and a drying agent. In other aspects, the invention generally relates to ion generation using a modified wetted porous substrate in which at least a portion of the porous substrate includes a material that modifies an interaction between a sample and the substrate.