Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer High-Speed Scan Calibration

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional triple quadrupole mass spectrometers experience increased mass-to-charge ratio axis deviation and reduced mass resolution during high-speed scans, particularly in MS/MS analysis modes like precursor ion scan and neutral loss scan, leading to compromised analysis quality and sensitivity.

Innovation Solution

A triple quadrupole mass spectrometer with a calibration information memory unit that stores mass calibration data specific to each measuring mode and scan speed, allowing the control unit to adjust the pre-stage and post-stage quadrupoles accordingly, ensuring accurate mass calibration and resolution adjustment even at high scan speeds.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high-speed scan is performed in MS/MS analysis mode, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to increased mass-to-charge ratio axis deviation and reduced mass resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan speedVSAvoidmass-to-charge ratio accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration measurements at multiple different scan speeds to establish calibration data beforehand. This calibration data, which includes correction values for mass-to-charge ratio axis deviation at each scan speed, is stored in advance and then applied during actual high-speed MS/MS analysis to maintain measurement precision while achieving high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calibration parameter (scan speed) to match the actual measurement scan speed. By performing calibration at the same scan speed as the measurement, the system compensates for speed-dependent deviations in mass-to-charge ratio, thereby maintaining measurement precision across different productivity levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high-speed scan is performed in MS/MS analysis mode, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to reduced mass resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvescan speedVSAvoidmass resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calibration measurements at multiple different scan speeds to establish calibration data beforehand. This calibration data, which includes correction values for mass-to-charge ratio axis deviation at each scan speed, is stored in advance and then applied during actual high-speed MS/MS analysis to maintain measurement precision while achieving high productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the calibration parameter (scan speed) to match the actual measurement scan speed. By performing calibration at the same scan speed as the measurement, the system compensates for speed-dependent deviations in mass-to-charge ratio, thereby maintaining measurement precision across different productivity levels

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 configuration enables high mass precision and resolution in MS/MS analysis, reducing the need for frequent adjustments and allowing for efficient combination of low-speed and high-speed analysis modes without compromising data quality.

Implementation Method 1

an ion source (12) for ionizing a sample

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

a voltage (obtained by adding a direct-current voltage and a high-frequency voltage) according to a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) of an ion to be measured is applied to a quadrupole mass filter

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuadrupole mass filtering: Electric Field

Implementation Method 3

the precursor ions introduced into the collision cell collide with the CID gas and dissociate, thereby generating various product ions

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCollision induced dissociation: Impact Force

Implementation Method 4

The precursor ions and the various product ions are converged due to an effect of a high-frequency electric field caused by the quadrupole ion guide

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectric field confinement: Electric Field

Implementation Method 5

the post-stage quadrupole allows only product ions having a specific mass-to-charge ratio to selectively pass therethrough

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuadrupole mass filtering: Electric Field

Implementation Method 6

a detector (17) for detecting the product ions (2+) passing through the post-stage quadrupole (16)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectIon detection: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS8698072B2Triple quadrupole mass spectrometer

Publication Date: 2014.04.15 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A high-quality mass spectrum is provided with alleviated mass/charge axis deviation in a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer even when executing a high-speed mass scan with MS/MS analysis. Mass calibration tables which denote relations between m/z and a mass deviation value which scan speed is a parameter are prepared separately for use in MS analyses without involving dissociation operations and MS/MS analyses with involving dissociation operations. According to a measuring mode, such as a product ion scan measurement or a neutral loss scan measurement, when performing MS/MS analysis, a mass deviation value for the minimum scan speed in a table is used for a quadrupole where the selected m/z is fixed, and a mass deviation value for a designated scan speed in a table is used for a quadrupole where the mass scan is performed, thus controlling the operations of each of a pre-stage and a post-stage quadrupoles.