Temperature Scanning Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques face challenges in efficiently analyzing complex mixtures under atmospheric pressure due to overlapping mass spectrum peaks and inefficient desorption processes, which hinder real-time analysis and reduce detection accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for controlled temperature scanning during desorption and ionization, using heated gas or infrared lasers to sequentially desorb sample constituents, allowing for continuous data collection and improved separation of mixture components.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high heating temperature is used for thermal desorption, then desorption efficiency is improved, but mass spectrum peak congestion increases and detection accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic temperature scanning where the heating temperature is continuously increased over time during the desorption process. This dynamic approach allows different constituents to desorb at different temperature stages, separating their detection in time rather than simultaneously at a fixed high temperature, thus resolving the contradiction between desorption efficiency and peak congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic temperature scanning with controlled heating rates, creating distinct desorption stages. Each stage corresponds to a specific temperature range where particular constituents desorb, allowing the system to periodically cycle through temperature increases and data collection, thereby separating overlapping mass spectrum peaks while maintaining high desorption efficiency.
2Speed
If high desorbing temperature is used, then desorption speed is improved, but sample exhaustion occurs rapidly affecting analysis efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic temperature scanning with controlled heating rates instead of immediate high-temperature desorption. This allows the sample to undergo gradual thermal desorption, extending the analysis time window and preventing rapid sample exhaustion while maintaining efficient desorption speeds at each temperature stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary low-temperature desorption stages before progressing to higher temperatures. This preliminary action allows volatile and semi-volatile constituents to desorb first at lower temperatures, preserving the sample for subsequent high-temperature stages and preventing premature sample exhaustion.
3Loss of time
If separation step is removed before ionization, then analysis time is reduced, but mass spectrum peak overlapping increases making spectrum analysis difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separation function into the ionization process itself by implementing temperature scanning during the desorption-ionization coupling stage. Different constituents are separated in time based on their desorption temperatures, achieving separation without requiring a separate chromatography step, thus reducing analysis time while maintaining spectrum clarity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses dynamic temperature-controlled desorption to create temporal separation of constituents during the direct analysis process. This dynamic approach allows the system to achieve separation functionality without additional separation equipment, reducing both analysis time and device complexity while avoiding mass spectrum peak overlapping.
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 enhances analysis efficiency and sensitivity by separating components based on their thermal desorption capabilities, reducing peak congestion and extending the analysis time for constituents with low boiling points, thereby improving detection accuracy and reducing sample exhaustion.
Implementation Method 1
enabling temperature of at least one part of sample to gradually rise through a certain method, so that multiple analyzed constituents in the part of sample are sequentially desorbed
Implementation Method 2
blowing heated gas to the sample, and gradually increasing the temperature of the heated gas
Implementation Method 3
ionizing the desorbed analyzed constituents near the sample
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention involves a method and a device for sequentially desorbing and ionizing mixed analytes on a solid surface with a gradual temperature scan, and continuously collecting data for multiple times in the gradual desorption and ionization process. By gradually increase the temperature of at least one part of the sample, the analytes with different thermal desorption capabilities are sequentially desorbed from surfaces of the solid sample, thereby providing a sample pre-separation scheme, so as to reduce difficulties to subsequent mass spectrum detection. Meanwhile, since mass spectrum data of the analytes with different boiling points is collected for multiple times during a temperature scan, the analytes with a low boiling point can be detected first at lower temperature in order to avoid rapid exhaustion at higher temperature, thereby improving the detection efficiency of the analytes with low boiling points.