Ultrasound-Assisted Sampling Interface for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometry techniques require extensive sample preparation and introduction steps, which are time-consuming, prone to errors, and often result in dilution, limiting sensitivity, selectivity, speed, reproducibility, and high-throughput analysis, especially in complex sample matrices.
Innovation Solution
The integration of ultrasound energy into sampling interfaces for mass spectrometry systems, using an ultrasonic transmitter to enhance desorption efficiency, degas solvents, and implement feedback control systems for maintaining a stable liquid-air interface, thereby improving analyte elution and data quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If extensive sample preparation steps are performed to enable analyte detection via MS, then detection sensitivity is improved, but analysis time and complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the need for extensive sample preparation steps by implementing direct analysis techniques. The sampling interface directly introduces complex sample matrices into the mass spectrometer without requiring separation, concentration, or derivatization steps, thereby eliminating time-consuming preprocessing while maintaining detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The sampling interface is designed to handle multiple sample types and matrices universally without requiring specific preparation protocols. The system can directly analyze diverse complex matrices (biological, environmental, food samples) through a single unified interface that performs both sampling and introduction functions simultaneously
2Measurement precision
If multiple sample preparation stages are implemented to remove interference, then selectivity is improved, but potential sources of dilution and error increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention introduces a specially designed sampling interface as an intermediary component between the sample matrix and the mass spectrometer. This interface contains features such as a porous support structure and liquid delivery system that selectively transport analytes while excluding matrix interferences, achieving both selectivity and accuracy in a single step rather than through multiple preparation stages
3Device complexity
If conventional sampling interfaces are used, then system simplicity is maintained, but reproducibility and high-throughput capability are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling interface incorporates dynamic liquid delivery mechanisms that can be precisely controlled and adjusted. The liquid flow system enables rapid, reproducible sample introduction with consistent timing and positioning, allowing the system to achieve high-throughput capability while maintaining operational simplicity through automated control
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback control mechanisms that monitor and adjust sampling parameters in real-time. This ensures consistent and reproducible sample introduction across multiple analyses, enabling high-throughput operation with maintained quality control without significantly increasing operational complexity
4Productivity
If bubble discharge occurs during liquid delivery to ion source, then continuous flow is maintained, but data quality deteriorates due to aberrations and spikes
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful effect of bubbles into a beneficial one by designing the liquid delivery system to generate controlled cavitation. The cavitation bubbles formed in the liquid stream serve to enhance analyte desorption and transfer efficiency, while the system geometry and flow conditions are optimized to prevent large disruptive bubbles from reaching the ion source, thus improving data quality while maintaining continuous flow
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 significantly enhances the speed, reproducibility, and accuracy of mass spectrometry data by improving analyte desorption, reducing bubble-related aberrations, and maintaining consistent experimental conditions, leading to more reliable and efficient sample analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a source of ultrasound energy (e.g., an ultrasonic transmitter) is associated with at least one of the sampling interface and a sample substrate configured for insertion within the sampling interface so as to provide ultrasound energy thereto
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasound energy module coupled to one of the sampling interface or a sampling substrate itself can improve the elution of analytes from a solid-phase sample substrate, for example, by agitating the desorption liquid within the sampling probe so as to increase the efficiency of mass transfer from the sampling substrate
Implementation Method 3
the ultrasound energy can be effective to remove bubbles from the liquid delivered to the ion source so as to reduce the presence of aberrations or spikes in the MS data that can be observed when bubbles are discharged into the ionization chamber
Implementation Method 4
an ultrasonic transmitter and detector (e.g., an ultrasound transducer) can be utilized in a feedback control system so as to automatically monitor and/or detect the surface profile (e.g., shape) of the liquid-air interface (e.g., without human intervention)
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic transmitter (95) and detector (e.g., integrated as an ultrasound transducer) utilized in a feedback control system automatically monitors and/or detects surface profile (e.g., shape) of the liquid-air interface and adjusts the flow rate of sampling liquid to ensure that experimental conditions remain consistent at the time of sample introduction during serial samplings. The feedback control can provide for automated adjustment of the surface profile of the liquid-air interface in accordance with changes in desired set point according to an experimental workflow (e.g., automated adjustment between an interface corresponding to a vortex sampling set point and an overflow cleaning set point). Improvements in desorption efficiency and quality of mass spectrometry data by degassing of the liquid solvent utilized within the sampling interfaces, and/or utilization in a feedback control system for generating data indicative of a surface profile of the liquid-air interface within the interface's sampling port may be realized.