Surface Extraction Sealing Interface for Variable Surface Pressure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current surface sampling techniques for mass spectrometry face challenges in efficiently analyzing materials with varying surface characteristics, requiring different sealing pressures to prevent fluid leakage, and often involve lengthy liquid chromatography processes that are costly and solvent-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A versatile surface extraction-mass spectrometer interface system with a seal assembly that controllably applies appropriate force using a spring and potentiometer combined with a stepper motor, allowing for precise sealing and liquid extraction from diverse surfaces, and optionally incorporating a modular cavity assembly with interchangeable bases and a liquid chromatography column for enhanced separation and sensitivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal assembly applies force to seal the cavity against the surface, then fluid leakage is prevented, but the system complexity increases due to the need for force control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The spring is pre-compressed to a predetermined extent before contact with the surface, establishing the initial sealing force in advance. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing force is immediately available when the cavity contacts the surface, eliminating the need for complex real-time force control mechanisms during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring automatically adjusts the sealing force based on the surface characteristics it encounters. As the spring compresses against different surfaces, it self-regulates the force applied to maintain the seal, eliminating the need for external force control systems and reducing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If liquid chromatography separation is used, then analyte separation and sensitivity are improved, but solvent consumption and analysis time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the liquid chromatography separation step from the traditional analytical workflow. By using direct mass spectrometry analysis of the liquid extract without intermediate chromatographic separation, the system eliminates the need for large volumes of solvents required for chromatography while maintaining analytical capability through direct molecular detection.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a direct liquid extraction and ionization interface as an intermediary between sample preparation and detection. This intermediary system allows direct transfer of the liquid extract to the mass spectrometer without requiring chromatographic separation, thereby reducing solvent consumption while preserving analyte detection sensitivity through efficient ionization of the extracted compounds.
3Measurement precision
If liquid chromatography separation is used, then analyte separation is improved, but analysis time and run costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the time-consuming liquid chromatography separation step from the analytical process. By directly analyzing the liquid extract using mass spectrometry, the system eliminates the lengthy chromatographic run times required for analyte separation while maintaining the ability to distinguish and quantify different compounds through their unique mass-to-charge ratios.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the cavity assembly is designed for multiple surface types, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases due to modular components
Solution Approach 1:
The cavity assembly is segmented into modular components including interchangeable bases and configurable wall structures. This segmentation allows different base types and wall configurations to be combined to accommodate various surface geometries and material properties, providing versatility while keeping each individual module relatively simple in design.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular cavity assembly components are designed with universal interfaces and standardized connection mechanisms that allow the same basic structures to serve multiple functions across different applications. The interchangeable bases and configurable walls can be adapted to seal against various surface types, eliminating the need for completely different assembly designs for each surface type.
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 high-sensitivity, high-specificity, and high-throughput analysis with reduced sample preparation time and solvent consumption, capable of analyzing various surfaces including tissue cultures, dried blood spots, and TLC plates, while minimizing run times and costs associated with traditional liquid chromatography methods.
Implementation Method 1
a force gauge operable to measure a force applied by the seal assembly against the opposed surface, wherein the force gauge comprises a spring and a potentiometer attached to the motor with the cavity assembly on one end of the motor shaft such that the force applied by the seal assembly against the opposed surface causes the spring to compress
Implementation Method 2
These systems and methods include a seal assembly that controllably applies the appropriate force to seal a cavity of the interface against varying surfaces... capable of analyzing various surfaces including tissue cultures, dried blood spots, and TLC plates, while minimizing run times and costs associated with traditional liquid chromatography methods
Data Source
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AI summary
Surface extraction interface systems can include a seal assembly with a cavity assembly, an actuator, and a force gauge. Methods of preparing a sample for analysis can include: receiving data identifying characteristics of a surface supporting the sample; determining a pressure to be applied by a seal assembly against the surface; pressing a cavity assembly against the surface facing the open side of the cavity until the pressure is achieved; and extracting a sample from the surface by flowing a stream of extraction solvent through the sealed extraction cavity.