Thermal Desorption Tube Sampler Direct Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current thermal desorption (TD) tube samplers coupled with direct injection mass spectrometers face limitations in analytical throughput due to the need for cold traps, which are poorly suited for monitoring multiple mass-to-charge signals over restricted periods, and lack a commercially available technology for wide-scale analytical trials, especially in multi-centre clinical trials for breath sample analysis.
Innovation Solution
A TD tube sampler that reversibly connects to a TD tube and directly couples to a direct injection mass spectrometer, eliminating the need for a cold trap by using a conduit with an aperture to prevent sample damage and allowing for higher throughput and greater sensitivity, with optional operation modes for use with or without a cold trap.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cold trap is used in the TD tube sampler, then the sample can be transferred to the mass spectrometer, but the analytical throughput is reduced due to the limitations of cold traps in monitoring multiple mass-to-charge signals
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the cold trap component from the thermal desorption tube sampler system. By eliminating the cold trap, the system avoids the limitations of monitoring multiple mass-to-charge signals over restricted periods, thereby increasing analytical throughput without the bottleneck imposed by cold trap technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a heated transfer line as an intermediary component between the thermal desorption tube and the mass spectrometer. This heated transfer line serves as a mediator that maintains sample integrity and enables efficient sample transfer without requiring a cold trap, thus improving throughput while maintaining system functionality.
2Measurement precision
If a cold trap is used in the TD tube sampler, then sample transfer is enabled, but the sensitivity of the direct injection mass spectrometer is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the cold trap component that was degrading sample sensitivity. By eliminating this component, the direct injection mass spectrometer receives samples in optimal condition, maximizing sensitivity for detecting volatile organic compounds in breath samples.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical cold trap system with a heated transfer line system. This substitution eliminates the temperature cycling and potential sample loss associated with cold traps, thereby maintaining higher sample sensitivity while achieving the same sample transfer function.
3Reliability
If GC-MS is used for breath VOC analysis, then reliable analysis is achieved, but the analytical throughput is low due to the time required for chromatographic separation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the gas chromatography separation step from the analytical workflow. By eliminating the time-consuming chromatographic separation while maintaining reliable VOC detection through direct injection mass spectrometry, the system achieves both high reliability and high throughput for breath analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces a heated transfer line as an intermediary that directly transports desorbed volatile organic compounds from the thermal desorption tube to the mass spectrometer. This intermediary system replaces the need for chromatographic separation, enabling rapid analysis without compromising detection reliability.
4Adaptability or versatility
If CTD traps are used for atmospheric analysis, then sample concentration and in situ automated measurement are achieved, but sample transportability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the custom-made collection cell of CTD traps that prevents sample transportability. By eliminating this specialized component and using standard thermal desorption tubes with a heated transfer line, the system maintains sample transportability while preserving automated measurement capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention makes the thermal desorption tube sampler universal and adaptable to multiple applications including both atmospheric analysis and clinical breath analysis. The standardized design with heated transfer line enables sample transportability while maintaining automated operation, allowing the same system to serve multiple purposes.
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
The solution achieves higher analytical throughput and greater sensitivity for direct injection mass spectrometers, enabling efficient analysis of multiple breath samples without the limitations of cold traps, thereby addressing the bottleneck in wide-scale clinical trials.
Implementation Method 1
Thermal Desorption (TD) is a well-established technological standard in the fields of environmental analysis and occupational health
Implementation Method 2
the TD tube sampler displays a conduit with an aperture configured to prevent damage to a sample
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure provides a thermal desorption (TD) tube sampler. The sampler comprises a first connector configured to reversibly connect to a TD tube containing a sample, and a second connector configured to couple to a direct injection mass spectrometer. The TD tube sampler is configured to desorb a sample in a TD tube connected thereto, and feed the desorbed sample from the TD tube to a direct injection mass spectrometer such that the desorbed sample does not pass through a cold trap.