Portable Mass Spectrometer Sample Analysis Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mass spectrometers face challenges in providing accurate on-site analysis and preventing erroneous operations, particularly when analyzing body fluids like urine, saliva, and sweat, due to variations in environmental conditions and potential contamination, which can lead to incorrect drug detection and require frequent maintenance.

Innovation Solution

A portable mass spectrometer equipped with a sample state detection section, contamination detection, and maintenance determination section, which automatically identifies the type of sample, selects appropriate analysis conditions, and requests maintenance based on signal intensity, ensuring accurate analysis and reducing operating errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a portable mass spectrometer is used for on-site analysis, then the analysis time is reduced and real-time monitoring is enabled, but the reliability of measurement is compromised due to environmental fluctuations and operator errors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis timeVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The mass spectrometer automatically performs multiple functions without operator intervention: it self-calibrates using internal standards, self-optimizes analysis conditions based on sample detection, self-monitors for contamination, and self-determines maintenance needs. This automation eliminates operator errors and ensures consistent reliable measurements in portable on-site conditions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors measurement signals and compares them against reference data and contamination thresholds. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts analysis conditions, identifies contamination events, and triggers maintenance alerts. This closed-loop feedback mechanism maintains measurement reliability despite environmental variations in portable operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If analysis conditions are manually adjusted for different samples, then the adaptability to different drug types is improved, but the risk of operating errors increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different drugsVSAvoidoperating error risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The mass spectrometer dynamically adapts analysis conditions based on real-time sample detection. The system automatically adjusts mass analysis ranges, heating temperatures, and gas flow rates according to the detected sample type (body fluid vs. solid drug), eliminating the need for manual condition adjustment while maintaining full adaptability to different drugs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically changes operational parameters (mass analysis range, temperature, gas flow) based on detected sample characteristics. When a body fluid sample is detected, the system switches to body fluid analysis mode with appropriate parameters; when solid drug is detected, it switches to solid analysis mode, ensuring optimal conditions for each drug type without operator intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If continuous sample measurement is performed, then the productivity is improved, but the contamination of the mass spectrometer increases requiring frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous measurement capabilityVSAvoidinstrument contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary contamination assessment by monitoring signal intensity and comparing it against predetermined thresholds before contamination becomes severe. When contamination reaches critical levels, the system proactively alerts the operator and prevents further measurements that would worsen contamination, allowing maintenance to be performed at optimal intervals without affecting overall productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual contamination monitoring and maintenance scheduling with automated electronic monitoring. Sensors continuously detect contamination levels, and the control unit automatically tracks measurement counts and signal quality, replacing manual inspection with automated detection to enable continuous operation with minimal maintenance interruption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS9105453B2Mass spectrometer and mass spectrometry

Publication Date: 2015.08.11 HITACHI HIGH TECH CORP

AI summary

A portable mass spectrometer that is carried to a sampling site to conduct analysis incorporates measures against erroneous operation. To prevent erroneous operation, when a measurement sample cannot be accurately analyzed because of contamination in the measurement sample, a criterion for aborting the sample measurement is provided and mass spectrometer control maintenance is performed. When urine is measured, the mass spectrometer detects the substances contained in the urine and automatically determines whether the sample is urine. The mass spectrometer then automatically selects an analysis condition specific to urine samples to make a measurement. Also with respect to sweat and saliva, the mass spectrometer similarly selects a specific analysis condition. The mass spectrometer automatically determines whether a sample, which is an internal standard sample contained in a sample case, is being measured on a measurement-by-measurement basis and automatically displays any error, interrupts the measurement, or carries out other processing.