Volatile Buffer Salts for Mass Spectrometry Ion Suppression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining analyte concentration in fluid samples face challenges due to ion suppression caused by non-analyte species, particularly in mass spectrometry, which leads to reduced detection sensitivity and accuracy, especially with low analyte concentrations and high concentrations of contaminants or interfering components.
Innovation Solution
The method involves replacing necessary non-analyte components in the fluid sample with more volatile substitutes that undergo chemical reactions to yield more volatile products, enhancing the analyte signal and signal-to-noise ratio, and using acoustic ejection to generate nanoliter-sized droplets for volatilization and ionization, thereby reducing ion suppression and increasing analysis efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ionization methods are used with non-volatile buffer salts, then the analyte can be detected, but ion suppression occurs reducing detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of the buffer salt by replacing non-volatile salts (e.g., sodium chloride) with volatile salts (e.g., ammonium acetate, ammonium formate). This parameter change allows the buffer components to evaporate during electrospray ionization, eliminating ion suppression and improving analyte detection sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses volatile buffer salts that replicate the functional properties (pH buffering, ionic strength control) of conventional non-volatile buffers while having the additional property of volatility. These volatile buffer copies perform the same protective functions for the analyte but without causing ion suppression.
2Measurement precision
If extensive sample cleanup procedures are implemented to remove contaminants, then ion suppression is reduced, but analysis time and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful non-volatile buffer components and replaces them with volatile alternatives. This removal of the problematic component eliminates ion suppression without requiring separate cleanup steps, thereby reducing sample processing time while maintaining accurate analyte concentration measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The volatile buffer salt acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates the ionization process without interfering with analyte detection. It mediates between the need for buffer functionality and the requirement for clean mass spectrometric signals, eliminating the need for extensive cleanup procedures.
3Stability of the object's composition
If high concentrations of buffer salts are used to maintain sample stability, then analyte integrity is preserved, but ion suppression increases reducing signal intensity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatility parameter of the buffer system, allowing high concentrations of volatile buffer salts to be used without causing ion suppression. The volatile buffers can be present at high levels to maintain sample stability during storage and handling, but they evaporate during analysis, preserving both sample integrity and signal quality.
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 increases the analyte signal and signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for more accurate and rapid analysis of fluid samples with minimal sample processing time and reduced need for sample cleanup, enabling high-throughput analysis of up to 50,000 samples per day.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic ejector to generate droplets of the fluid sample
Implementation Method 2
volatilizing and ionizing the fluid sample
Implementation Method 3
volatilizing and ionizing the fluid sample
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and system are provided for detecting the concentration of an anaiyte in a fluid sample. The method and system involve analysis of a volatilized, ionized fluid sample using a mass spectrometer or other ionic anaiyte detection device that provides a signal proportional in intensity to the quantity of ionized anaiyte detected. The improvement involves replacement of a necessary non-analyte component in the fluid sample with a substitute component that serves the same purpose as the original component but is either more volatile than the original component and/or the anaiyte or undergoes a reaction to provide lower molecular weight reaction products, and results in an increased intensity in signal and signal-to-noise ratio. Acoustic fluid ejection is a preferred method of generating nanoliter-sized droplets of fluid sample that are then volatilized, ionized, and analyzed.