Triple Ionization Interface for Mass Spectrometers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers with multiple ionization sources face complexity, increased labor, and production costs due to the need for complicated wiring and separate ionization interfaces for ESI, APCI, and LDTD methods, which also suffer from cross-contamination issues with liquid mobile phases.
Innovation Solution
A triple ionization interface for mass spectrometers incorporating an electrostatic spray nozzle, a corona discharger, and a Laser Diode Thermal Desorption (LDTD) apparatus, allowing for simultaneous use of ESI, APCI, and LDTD methods without a liquid mobile phase, with optimized positioning and power supply configurations for enhanced efficiency and reduced complexity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate ionization interfaces are used for ESI, APCI, and LDTD methods, then each ionization method can be optimized independently, but the device complexity and production costs increase due to complicated wiring and multiple interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines ESI, APCI, and LDTD ionization interfaces into a single integrated ionization interface. The common interface includes a shared inlet tube, ion lens, and vacuum system, while allowing separate control of heating elements and discharge electrodes for each ionization method. This merging reduces device complexity and wiring requirements while maintaining the ability to optimize each ionization method independently through selective activation of specific components.
Solution Approach 2:
The ionization interface is designed with multi-functionality to support three different ionization methods (ESI, APCI, and LDTD) using a single unified structure. The interface includes universal components such as the inlet tube, ion lens, and vacuum system that serve all three methods, while incorporating method-specific elements like heating elements and corona discharge electrodes that can be selectively activated. This universal design eliminates the need for separate interfaces and reduces overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate ionization sources are implemented, then diverse sample analysis capabilities are achieved, but cross-contamination issues occur with liquid mobile phases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the liquid mobile phase from the ionization process by implementing LDTD (Laser-Induced Thermal Desorption) as one of the three ionization methods. LDTD uses laser heating to desorb and vaporize samples directly from a solid support, eliminating the need for liquid mobile phases that cause cross-contamination. This extraction of the problematic liquid component while retaining diverse ionization capabilities through the combination of ESI, APCI, and LDTD methods resolves the cross-contamination issue.
3Device complexity
If a common ionization interface is used for all methods, then device complexity is reduced, but ionization efficiency may be compromised for specific methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing method-specific optimization zones within the common ionization interface. Each ionization method (ESI, APCI, LDTD) has its dedicated heating element, discharge electrode, or laser interaction zone positioned at specific locations within the interface. This allows each method to have optimized local conditions (temperature, electric field, laser focus) while sharing the overall interface structure, thereby maintaining both reduced complexity and high ionization efficiency for each specific method.
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 enables a user-friendly, cost-effective mass spectrometer with improved ionization efficiency and reduced cross-contamination, capable of handling diverse samples with minimal reconfiguration, while maintaining high-throughput analysis capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
a high voltage direct current (DC) of approximately several kV is applied to a tip portion of a spray nozzle (22) in order to generate a strong non-uniform electric field. The sample liquid that has reached the tip of the spray nozzle (22) is charge-separated by this electric field, and is sprayed as micro-charged droplets
Implementation Method 2
The heated dry gas is sprayed in a mist flow and the evaporation of the solvent in droplets accordingly progresses to proceed the generation of gaseous ions
Implementation Method 3
The sample molecules are made to chemically react by carrier gas ions (buffer ions) generated by a corona discharge from the discharging electrode (25)
Implementation Method 4
A sample liquid is sprayed into a heater (29), which is placed to encircle the tip of the spray nozzle (22), by using a nebulizer gas (not shown). Consequently the solvent and the sample molecules are vaporized
Implementation Method 5
introducing into a mass spectrometer ionized samples ionized in an ionization interface via one or more of the following methods: thermal desorption and/or vaporization
Data Source
AI summary
A mass spectrometer having a triple ionization interface for ionizing sample components is provided. The ionization interface of the mass spectrometer includes a means for ionizing sample components via electrostatic ionization, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, and laser diode thermal desorption.