Real-time Calibration Device for Ion Mobility Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ion mobility spectrometry is limited in its qualitative and quantitative abilities due to interference from complex substrates like water vapor in the detection environment, requiring cumbersome calibration methods that are not synchronous with the testing process and increase system complexity.
Innovation Solution
A real-time calibration device that instantaneously releases a trace amount of calibration agent into the sample injection pipeline of the ion mobility spectrometer, allowing the calibration agent and sample to mix and be detected together, using a calibration agent storage tank, a sealing plug with capillary through holes, and an electromagnetic valve to control the release, ensuring accurate and objective calibration without additional devices or circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional calibration methods are used for ion mobility spectrometry, then calibration can be performed, but the system complexity increases and calibration is not synchronous with testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the calibration function with the sample detection function by integrating the calibration agent storage tank and electromagnetic valve directly into the sample injection pipeline. This allows calibration agent to be injected simultaneously with samples without requiring separate calibration equipment or circuits, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining calibration accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The sample injection pipeline is designed to serve dual purposes: it can inject both samples during normal operation and calibration agents during calibration. The electromagnetic valve and storage tank system enables the pipeline to switch between these functions, eliminating the need for dedicated calibration injection equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
2Measurement precision
If calibration agent is released into the sample injection pipeline, then real-time calibration is achieved, but contamination may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the calibration agent from the main sample stream by using a separate storage tank that only releases trace amounts of calibration agent through a controlled electromagnetic valve. The calibration agent is introduced separately and mixed with the sample in the detection chamber, preventing contamination of the sample injection pipeline while enabling accurate calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The calibration agent is released in trace amounts only at the specific location where it is needed for calibration (in the detection chamber mixed with sample), rather than throughout the entire pipeline. This localized introduction minimizes contamination risks while maintaining calibration effectiveness.
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
Enables accurate and objective calibration of the ion mobility spectrometer by mixing the calibration agent and sample under the same measurement environment, reducing system complexity and improving calibration accuracy, while avoiding contamination and the need for separate calibration entities.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing plug including one or more capillary through holes to allow calibration agent molecules stored in the first cavity to diffuse into the second cavity through the one or more capillary through holes of the sealing plug
Implementation Method 2
the semi-permeable membrane allows the calibration agent molecules to enter the valve from the second cavity through the semi-permeable membrane
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a real-time calibration device, a real-time calibration method and a detection apparatus. The real-time calibration device is in fluid communication with a sample injection pipeline of the apparatus to be calibrated. The real-time calibration device is configured to release a trace amount of calibration agent molecules during a sample injection of the apparatus to be calibrated, so that the trace amount of calibration agent molecules and a sample entering the apparatus to be calibrated are mixed and together enter the apparatus to be calibrated, and information of the sample and the calibration agent is detected by the apparatus to be calibrated, thereby performing a calibration.