Spectral Background Subtraction for Weak-Peak Sample Classification

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing spectrometric analysis methods face challenges in accurately classifying samples with weak peaks and poorly defined noise, particularly when little sample is available, as they struggle to derive adequate background noise profiles effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method involves developing well-defined background noise profiles for specific classes of samples using higher quality reference spectra, which are then used for background subtraction in sample spectra, improving peak detection and classification by normalizing and scaling these profiles to match the sample spectra.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If background noise profiles are derived from sample spectra with little or poor quality sample, then the method can be applied to limited samples, but the background noise profiles are inadequate and poorly defined

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesample amountVSAvoidbackground noise profile definition
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The method derives background noise profiles from background reference spectra obtained from higher quality or larger amounts of sample before analyzing the limited sample. This preliminary derivation of adequate background profiles from reference data allows subsequent analysis of samples with little material to benefit from well-defined background subtraction, resolving the contradiction between sample quantity and profile quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If background subtraction is performed without well-defined background noise profiles, then processing is simpler, but peak detection and classification accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing complexityVSAvoidpeak detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Background noise profiles are derived in advance from background reference spectra before the actual sample analysis. This preliminary preparation of accurate background profiles enables simple yet effective background subtraction during sample analysis, achieving both low processing complexity and high peak detection accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If reference sample spectra are used to derive background noise profiles, then background subtraction accuracy improves, but the system requires additional reference spectra storage and processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackground subtraction accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Background reference spectra are obtained and processed in advance to derive background noise profiles, which are then stored for reuse. This preliminary action separates the complex profile derivation from the actual sample analysis, improving background subtraction accuracy while managing system complexity through pre-computation and storage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3427286B1Spectrometric analysis
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 MICROMASS UK LTD
  • EP3427286B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3427286B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3427286B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of mass or mobility spectrometry comprising obtaining one or more sample spectra for a sample. The one or more sample spectra are subjected to pre-processing and then multivariate and/ or library based analysis so as to classify the sample. Before the sample spectra are acquired, a library of background spectra, each background spectrum relating to a certain class of sample material, is constructed. The background spectra in this library are used to subtract the background from a sample spectrum during the pre-processing of this sample spectrum.