Probe Surface Homogenization for Stable Ionization

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Solution Overview

Problem

The conventional probe electrospray ionization (PESI) method results in unstable sample ionization efficiency, leading to varying peak intensities in mass spectra, which affects reproducibility and accurate identification of substances in mass spectrometry.

Innovation Solution

The method involves treating the probe surface to make it homogeneous through techniques like corona discharge, glow discharge, or ultraviolet light irradiation to ensure consistent sample adhesion and voltage application, stabilizing ionization efficiency by removing insulating films and generating active oxygen or plasma.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the conventional PESI method is used to ionize the sample, then the sample can be ionized and sent to the mass spectrometer, but the ionization efficiency becomes unstable and peak intensity varies for each measurement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveionization efficiency stabilityVSAvoidpeak intensity reproducibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The probe surface is treated with plasma or corona discharge before sample adhesion to remove insulating films and create a homogeneous surface. This preliminary treatment ensures stable electrical properties and consistent sample adhesion, leading to reproducible ionization efficiency and peak intensity across multiple measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The electrical and physical parameters of the probe surface are changed through plasma or corona discharge treatment. This modifies the surface energy, conductivity, and wettability, which in turn stabilizes sample adhesion characteristics and ionization efficiency, resolving the reproducibility issue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the probe surface is not treated, then the device complexity remains low, but the sample adhesion becomes inconsistent and ionization efficiency varies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesample adhesion consistencyVSAvoidprobe treatment process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A simple preliminary treatment step using plasma or corona discharge is introduced before sample analysis. This treatment homogenizes the probe surface properties, ensuring consistent sample adhesion and ionization efficiency without requiring complex device modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The mechanical/chemical surface treatment is replaced with physical plasma or corona discharge treatment. This substitution provides a more controlled and reproducible method for surface modification, improving sample adhesion consistency while keeping the treatment process relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reproducibility of measurement data by maintaining consistent ionization efficiency and peak intensities, allowing for accurate identification and filtering in mass spectrometry.

Implementation Method 1

techniques like corona discharge, glow discharge, or ultraviolet light irradiation to ensure consistent sample adhesion and voltage application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCorona discharge: Corona Discharge

Implementation Method 2

techniques like corona discharge, glow discharge, or ultraviolet light irradiation to ensure consistent sample adhesion and voltage application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGlow discharge: Electric Glow Discharge

Implementation Method 3

techniques like corona discharge, glow discharge, or ultraviolet light irradiation to ensure consistent sample adhesion and voltage application

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltraviolet light irradiation: Photo-oxidation

Implementation Method 4

applying a voltage of several tens of volts to several thousands of volts (hereinafter, referred to as 'ionization voltage') to the probe. This configuration electrically charges the sample adhered to the tip of the probe, and ionizes the sample by Coulomb repulsion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCoulomb repulsion: Coulomb's Law

Implementation Method 5

the tip of the probe may be irradiated with laser light at the voltage application. Energy thus applied to the sample facilitates the ionization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser irradiation: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS11309174B2Ionization method, ionization device, imaging spectrometry method, and imaging spectrometer

Publication Date: 2022.04.19 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

Provided is an ionization method for ionizing a sample 21 adhered to a tip of a probe 11 that is electrically conductive, by applying an ionization voltage to the probe 11 to electrically charge the sample 21. The ionization method includes: subjecting the probe 11 to treatment to make a surface of the probe 11 homogenous; causing adhesion of the sample 21 to the tip of the probe 11; and ionizing the sample 21 by applying the ionization voltage to the probe 11 to electrically charge the sample 21. The treatment for making the surface of the probe 11 homogenous can be implemented by, for example, causing corona discharge at the probe 11.