Sampling Probe Jet Pump for High-Flow Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques require extensive pre-treatment steps, such as high-performance liquid chromatography, which decrease throughput, introduce errors, and cause dilution, especially when dealing with complex sample matrices, and open port sampling interfaces face limitations due to pressure differences and flow rate constraints.
Innovation Solution
A sampling probe system incorporating a jet pump assembly that uses a motive flow to enhance fluid flow from an open port, allowing continuous delivery of liquid samples to an ion source without relying on nebulizer gas, thereby optimizing flow rates and minimizing analyte dilution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If HPLC is used for sample purification and separation, then analyte detection sensitivity is improved, but throughput decreases and analyte dilution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the HPLC pre-treatment step from the analytical workflow. By using direct immersion probe sampling, the system achieves sufficient analyte detection sensitivity without requiring chromatographic separation, thereby eliminating the throughput bottleneck and dilution issues associated with HPLC while maintaining the ability to detect analytes in complex matrices through selective ion monitoring and optimized ionization conditions
2Ease of operation
If open port sampling interface is used with nebulizer gas driven Venturi effect, then sample flow delivery is achieved, but flow rate is limited by pressure difference and analyte dilution increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the nebulizer gas driven Venturi effect mechanical system with an electronically controlled pump system. The pump directly controls sample flow delivery from the open port, enabling precise flow rate control independent of gas pressure, thereby maintaining high analyte concentration while achieving reliable sample delivery through electronic rather than pneumatic actuation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the controlling parameter for sample flow from gas pressure (in the Venturi system) to electronic pump control. This parameter change enables precise regulation of sample flow rates, allowing optimization of both delivery reliability and analyte concentration by directly controlling pump speed and flow rate rather than relying on pressure differences that cause dilution
3Ease of operation
If nebulizer gas is used to drive flow from open port, then sample delivery is achieved, but flow rate and liquid viscosity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the gas-driven Venturi mechanical system with an electronically controlled pump system that directly drives sample delivery from the open port. This substitution enables control of higher flow rates independent of gas pressure limitations and eliminates the constraints imposed by liquid viscosity on the driving mechanism, as the pump can directly handle various liquid viscosities through appropriate pump selection and control
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 system enables efficient and minimally dilutive delivery of samples at higher flow rates, improving sensitivity and throughput by allowing independent optimization of sample and nebulizer gas flow rates, reducing the need for pre-treatment steps, and enhancing the accuracy of mass spectrometric analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a jet pump assembly (e.g., an eductor pump) to enable sampling from such an open port even against higher flow resistances and at higher flow rates
Implementation Method 2
In such conventional systems, however, the flow rates and/or the viscosity of liquids utilized in the open port sampling interfaces may be limited due to the pressure difference generated by the gas driven Venturi effect
Implementation Method 3
a liquid exhaust conduit within the housing that extends from an inlet end configured to transport liquid from the sampling space to an outlet end
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for delivering a liquid sample to an ion source for the generation of ions and subsequent analysis by mass spectrometry are provided herein. In accordance with various aspects of the present teachings, MS-based systems and methods are provided in which a specimen may be received within an open port of a sampling probe and continuously delivered via a jet pump assembly to an ion source for subsequent mass spectrometric analysis.