Synchronized Mass Filter for Tandem MS Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current MS/MS methods are inefficient when analyzing mixtures of unknown mass, as they either miss small peaks or require extensive re-analysis, or are slow and wasteful when scanning large mass ranges, especially in LC/MS systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that synchronizes the mass scan range of a mass filter module with the order of ionisable materials received in multiple mass ranges, allowing for efficient fragmentation and analysis of product ions across a narrow, predictable mass range, using a predictive model or calibration curve to establish the relationship between molecular weight and time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mass filter scans over a large mass range to acquire MS/MS on every precursor ion, then all components can be identified without survey scans, but the analysis becomes inefficient and slow with significant sample waste
Solution Approach 1:
The mass range is divided into multiple discrete mass windows or isolation ranges. The mass filter sequentially isolates and analyzes ions within each window rather than scanning the entire mass range continuously. This segmentation allows the system to cover a large mass range while maintaining high speed and efficiency by focusing analysis on narrow mass windows at any given time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mass filter performs periodic scanning through the segmented mass windows in a cyclic manner. By repeatedly cycling through the defined mass windows, the system ensures all precursor ions are eventually analyzed while maintaining high temporal resolution and sample efficiency. The periodic action allows optimization of dwell time in each window while covering the complete mass range over multiple cycles.
2Measurement precision
If the mass filter uses unit mass resolution to scan from m/z 300 to 1000 in 1 amu steps, then every precursor ion can be analyzed, but 700 MS/MS spectra must be acquired every few seconds which is extremely time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of scanning through every 1 amu step across the entire mass range, the method segments the mass range into smaller windows and selectively isolates ions within each window. This allows the system to achieve comprehensive coverage without the time penalty of sequential scanning at unit resolution across the full range, dramatically reducing the number of MS/MS spectra required.
Solution Approach 2:
The mass filter dynamically adjusts its isolation window position and width based on the chromatographic elution profile and predicted mass range of interest. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to concentrate analysis time on the relevant mass windows where ions are actually present, rather than uniformly scanning the entire possible mass range, thereby reducing acquisition time while maintaining precision.
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 enables efficient MS/MS of everything by reducing sample waste and analysis time, ensuring all components are identified without the need for survey scans, thereby improving the efficiency of LC/MS processes.
Implementation Method 1
filtering the respective precursor ions via a mass filter module, a mass scan range of the mass filter module synchronized with the given order in which each of the plurality of mass ranges are received
Implementation Method 2
fragmenting the respective precursor ions, via a fragmentation module, to form respective product ions
Implementation Method 3
analyzing the respective product ions in a mass spectrometer module to produce product ion spectra
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for performing MS/MS of everything are provided. Ionisable materials separated in order of molecular weight in a plurality of mass ranges are received at a mass spectrometer system in a given order in time, each mass range comprising a respective center mass value and a respective width. The ionisable materials are ionised in the given order that each of the plurality of mass ranges are received, to form respective precursor ions in a respective given mass range. The respective precursor ions are filtered via a mass filter module, a mass scan range of the mass filter module synchronized with the given order in which each of the plurality of mass ranges are received. The respective precursor ions are fragmented, via a fragmentation module, to form respective product ions. The respective product ions are analyzed in a mass spectrometer module to produce product ion spectra.