Wide Diameter Sampling Tubes for Surface Ionization Spatial Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sampling systems for surface ionization techniques like DART and DESI face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution without compromising sensitivity, particularly when dealing with crystalline powders and insoluble materials, as they struggle to retain molecules in the ionization area and often desorb ions from adjacent locations, limiting their application in routine analyses and requiring solvent use.
Innovation Solution
The use of wide diameter sampling tubes combined with electrostatic fields and permeable barriers to selectively collect ions from specific areas, allowing for improved spatial resolution and efficient ion collection, while preventing ions from adjacent areas from being desorbed, and enabling analysis without the need for solvent-based sample preparation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If current sampling systems are used for surface ionization, then ion collection is achieved, but spatial resolution deteriorates due to ion desorption from adjacent locations
Solution Approach 1:
The sampling system is divided into multiple independently addressable sampling spots or regions on the substrate. Each spot can be selectively ionized and collected, allowing precise spatial resolution by activating only the desired segment while preventing ion desorption from adjacent segments through selective addressing or temporal separation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions or spots on the substrate are given different properties or states, allowing selective ionization at specific locations. This enables high spatial resolution by creating localized ionization zones where ions are generated only at the intended sampling spot rather than uniformly across the entire surface.
2Measurement precision
If spatial resolution is increased for sampling surfaces, then localized molecule isolation is improved, but sensitivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Molecules are pre-concentrated or pre-localized on specific spots or regions of the substrate before ionization occurs. This preliminary concentration step ensures that when ionization is applied to a small localized area, sufficient ion signal is generated to maintain sensitivity while achieving high spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple levels of spatial organization are implemented, with molecules nested or concentrated within smaller regions that are themselves part of larger sampling areas. This nested structure allows selective ionization of small high-resolution spots while the nested concentration of molecules within those spots maintains adequate signal intensity.
3Ease of operation
If solvent-based sample preparation is used, then sample introduction is simplified, but environmental harm and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The chemical-based sample preparation process using solvents is replaced with a direct physical deposition method. Samples are introduced by simple deposition onto the substrate surface, eliminating the need for solvent dissolution and transfer steps, thereby simplifying the process while removing harmful solvent waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate or sampling system is designed to directly accept and retain sample material in its native or minimally processed form. The system performs the sample preparation function inherently through its structure or surface properties, eliminating the need for external solvent-based preparation steps.
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 the spatial resolution and sensitivity of surface ionization, enabling higher throughput analysis and localized molecule isolation, thereby expanding the technology's applicability and reducing the need for solvents in sample preparation.
Implementation Method 1
electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes
Implementation Method 2
a permeable barrier is used to physically retain solid materials for surface desorption analysis while improving the efficiency of ion collection
Implementation Method 3
wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis
Implementation Method 4
A desorption ionization source allowing desorption and ionization of molecules from surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a device to restrict the sampling of analyte ions and neutral molecules from surfaces with mass spectrometry and thereby sample from a defined area or volume. In various embodiments of the present invention, a tube is used to sample ions formed with a defined spatial resolution from desorption ionization at or near atmospheric pressures. In an embodiment of the present invention, electrostatic fields are used to direct ions to either individual tubes or a plurality of tubes positioned in close proximity to the surface of the sample being analyzed. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes can be used in combination with a vacuum inlet to draw ions and neutrals into the spectrometer for analysis. In an embodiment of the present invention, wide diameter sampling tubes in combination with electrostatic fields improve the efficiency of ion collection.