Patent Grant
9299553
The invention relates to the production of ion populations at atmospheric pressure for subsequent Mass Spectrometric analysis of chemical, biological, medical and environmental samples.
Mass spectrometer (MS) development and operation have consistently been directed to increasing analytical capability and performance while reducing complexity, unit cost and size. As mass spectrometry is applied to an increasing range of applications, it is desirable to increase the analytical capability of a mass spectrometer while minimizing the complexity of hardware and operation. A multiple function atmospheric pressure ion source that minimizes or eliminates hardware changes while allowing user selected software switching between different but complimentary operating modes, increases MS analytical capability and reduces the operating complexity of MS acquisition. The analytical capability of MS analysis increases with a multiple ionization mode source that allows detection of both polar and non polar compounds contained in liquid and solid samples. The invention combines Electrospray (ES) ionization, Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI), Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization (APPI) and ionization of samples from surfaces and additional functions in one Atmospheric Pressure Ion (API) source with the capability to run such operating modes individually or in combination. Additional functions supported by the multiple function API source configured and operated according to the invention include charge reduction of multiply charged ions, Electron Transfer Dissociation (ETD) and the generation of calibration ions independent of the sample solution. Mass spectrometers interfaced to atmospheric pressure ion sources have been employed extensively in chemical analysis including environmental applications, pharmaceutical drug development, proteomics, metabolomics and clinical medicine applications. In combinatorial chemistry or high throughput biological screening applications, mass spectrometry is used to qualify purity of compound libraries prior to screening for a potential drug candidate as well as the detection of screening results. The invention increases the analytical capability of MS analysis for a wide range of applications while reducing the time, cost and complexity of analysis.
An increasing number of multiple operating mode atmospheric pressure ion sources for mass spectrometry have become available on commercial instrumentation. Analytica of Branford, Inc. introduced the first multiple Electrospray probe source that allowed the spraying of different solutions individually or simultaneously with common sampling of ions through an orifice into vacuum for MS analysis as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,541,768 B2 and 6,541,768 and by Andrien, B. A., Whitehouse, C. and Sansone, M. A. “Multiple Inlet Probes for Electrospray and APCI Sources” p. 889 and Shen, S., Andrien, B., Sansone, M. and Whitehouse, C., “Minimizing Chemical Noise through Rational Design of a ‘Universal’ API Source: A Comparative Study”, p. 890, Proceedings of the 46th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, Orlando Fla., 1998, Whitehouse, C. M.; Gulcicek, E.; Andrien, B. and Shen, S.; “Rapid API TOF state Switching with Fast LC-MS” and Shen, S.; Andrien, B. A.; Sansone, M. and Whitehouse, C. M.; “Dual Parallel Probes for Electrospray Sources”; 47th ASMS Conference on Mass Spectrometry and Allied Topics, 1999 and Berkova, M., Russon, L., Shen, S. and Whitehouse, C. M., “Exploring Multiple Probe Techniques to Improve Mass Measurement Accuracy in Microbore ESI and APCI TOF LC-MS”, poster number 10, Montreux LC-MS Symposium, Montreux, Switzerland, 2004. Multiple inlet probes configured to operate alternately or simultaneously in one API source allows the generation of ions from multiple sample solutions or calibration solutions introduced alternately or simultaneously through the multiple inlet probes. Gas phase ion populations produced from different inlet probes can be mixed at atmospheric pressure prior to sampling the mixed ion population into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. Ions generated from one inlet probe can be sampled into vacuum to provide internal or external MS calibration without mixing with or contaminating a sample solution introduced through another sample solution inlet probe. In one of Analytica of Branford's multiprobe ES source products, two independent Electrospray probes are configured in parallel with the ability to change the ion ratio mixture sampled from the two liquid inlet probes by changing solution concentration, liquid flow rate or small adjustments to the probe positions relative to the orifice into vacuum. Calibration ion generation can be switched on and off in sub second time frames by turning off nebulization gas and/or calibration sample liquid flow before, after or during LC runs to selectively introduce calibration peaks into acquired mass spectra. Analytica's ES and corona discharge APCI multiple probe atmospheric pressure ion sources allow the individual or simultaneous spraying from multiple solution inlet probes with individual or combined sampling of ions into vacuum. No mechanical adjustment of hardware components is required for switching between multiple functions in the Analytica API sources during MS data acquisition.
Multiple Electrospray probe ion sources were subsequently introduced as product by Micromass (“MUX-Technology™”) in which a rotating baffle was positioned between the simultaneously spraying ES probes and the orifice into vacuum. The multiple ES sprays and the ion populations produced from the multiple sprays do not intersect and the baffle allows only one ES spray at a time to deliver ions to the orifice into vacuum. In one operating configuration, multiple outputs of LC columns are sprayed simultaneously from individual pneumatic nebulization assist ES probes into a common ES source chamber. The rotating baffle allows one spray at a time to deliver ions into the orifice to vacuum while blocking the remaining sprays. Each LC column outlet can be sampled in a multiplexed fashion with acquired spectra sorted by LC column sampling order. The detection duty cycle for each LC column output is reduced by the number of ES probes spraying simultaneously (up to 8 ES sprays) but does allow acquisition by a single Mass Spectrometer from multiple parallel LC separations. The trade off is reduced LC-MS system price (multiple parallel LC separations with one MS detector) at the cost of reduced duty cycle and reduced data point density per LC chromatogram. Micromass has introduced a variation of the multiplexed sampling ES source (called “MUX-technology-Exact Mass”) in which two ES probes are configured to spray simultaneously where one spray introduces sample solution and the second spray introduces a reference or calibration solution. A rotating baffle prevents the two ES sprays from intersecting or mixing and allows only one spray at a time to deliver ions to the orifice to vacuum. The ES spray from the opposite probe is blocked. In this dual probe Electrospray ion source, calibration ions can be switched to enter vacuum during acquisition but not simultaneously with analyte ions to provide calibration reference peaks. Switching the rotating baffle to sample the calibration solution ES spray reduces the duty cycle of MS acquisition from the analyte ES sprayer. In the Micromass (currently part of Waters Corporation) API products, ions of the same polarity generated from multiple inlet Electrospray probes are sampled from each inlet probe individually into vacuum for MS analysis but are configured to prevent mixing of ion or neutral molecule populations generated from different inlet probes.
Simultaneously with the multiple ES probe ion source, Analytica introduced multiple sample inlet probe corona discharge APCI source described in the references given above. This multiple inlet probe APCI source allowed the introduction of different sample solutions through separate inlet nebulizers with corona discharge Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization. In one operating mode, the analyte sample solution is introduced through a first pneumatic nebulizer probe and calibration sample is introduced through a second pneumatic nebulizer probe. The calibration solution flow can be rapidly turned on or off during acquisition to provide internal or external calibration in acquired MS spectra. When the two solutions are sprayed simultaneously, the samples are mixed and vaporized in a common flow through the ACPI vaporizer heater, pass through a corona discharge and are ionized.
Along with multiple inlet ES and APCI sources, Analytica developed combination ES and APCI sources where separate ES and APCI probes can be operated separately in time or simultaneously as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,541,768 B2 and 6,541,768. The ES and APCI probes were configured with separate liquid sample inlets and the ion populations produced from each probe could be mixed prior to passing through the orifice into vacuum for MS analysis. In the Analytica combination source, Electrospray plumes intersected the corona discharge region of the APCI probe and vaporizer when both inlet probes were operated simultaneously. No mechanical movement of ES or APCI probes was required when switching to ES, APCI or combined operating modes. Recently, Agilent and Waters (Micromass) have introduced combination ES and APCI sources configured with a single pneumatic nebulizer inlet probe configured to allow ES or corona discharge APCI ion generation as reported by Balough, M. P. LCG North America, Vol. 22, No. 11, 2004, 1082-1090 and Gallagher, R. T., Balough, M. P., Davey, P., Jackson, M. R., Sinclair, I. and Southern, L. J. Anal. Chem, 75, 973-977. Both combination source versions employ a corona discharge but the traditional dedicated APCI vaporizer heater has been eliminated. Agilent has added infrared heaters surrounding the nebulized ES spray to cause vaporization of the sample and Micromass has added an additional heated gas flow surrounding the ES probe to aid in evaporating the sprayed liquid droplets. The surrounding electrostatic lenses in the Agilent combination ion source allow a portion of the ES ions to reach the orifice into vacuum even while the corona discharge is turned on simultaneously producing ions through gas phase chemical ionization reactions. The Waters combination ES and APCI ion source, named the “ESCi™Multi-Mode Ionization Source” and described in International Patent Application Publication Number WO 03/102537 A2, operates by alternately and rapidly switching high voltage between the pneumatic nebulization assisted Electrospray tip and the corona discharge needle positioned in the path of the same pneumatic nebulized spray, allowing sequential sampling of ES and APCI generated ions into the orifice into vacuum. The sampling duty cycle between APCI and ES operation can be controlled by changing the duration of voltage applied alternately to the nebulizer tip (ES operation) and the corona discharge needle. Individual MS spectra are acquired in either ES or APCI operating modes using this Waters combination API source; however, the ES and APCI operating modes can not be run simultaneously.
The combination ions sources described above each have some loss in ES or APCI signal or duty cycle when run in combination compared with operation in ES or APCI only modes. However, the ability to rapidly switch between ionization modes increases analytical capability for a given sample inlet without the need to change hardware from one ion source type to another. The earlier Analytica multiple inlet ion source supports selective ES and APCI ionization of a sample solution. The Analytica multiple inlet probe ES and APCI source supports the splitting of LC output to both the ES and APCI inlet probes allowing sequential or simultaneous ES and APCI ion generation by switching corona discharge needle voltage on or off. The Analytica combination ES and APCI source also allows the introduction of two independent sample solutions, through the ES and APCI inlet probes respectively, allowing the gas phase mixing of ion populations from different solution compositions and ionization modes. Agilent and Waters combination ES and APCI sources are configured with a single sample inlet probe. Neither allows the capability to generate a population of ions from a second inlet probe to provide a second population of gas phase reagent ions or reference ions for MS calibration during MS spectrum acquisition.
Charge reduction of multiply charged ions generated in Electrospray MS has been accomplished using several methods. These include:
None of the techniques to effect charge reduction of multiply charged ions reported above cause reduction of the charge state of multiply charged ions at atmospheric pressure by mixing ions or neutral species in the gas phase produced from different liquid sample or gas inlets as is described in the present invention.
Electron Capture Dissociation (ECD), first reported by McLafferty and co-workers, Zubarev, R. A.; Kelleher, F. W. and McLafferty, F. W.; J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120 (1998) 3265-3266 and McLafferty, F. W.; Horn, D. M.; Breuder, K.; Ge, Y.; Lewis, M. A.; Cerda, B.; Zubarev, R. A. and Carpenter, B. K.; J. Am. Soc. Mass Spectrom. 12 (2001) 245-249, has shown great promise as a highly complementary ion fragmentation method in protein and peptide research. The ability of low energy electron capture (<10 eV) to dissociate proteins and peptides along the amino acid backbone (breaking the amide nitrogen-alpha carbon bond), producing c and z type fragment ions while retaining intact function groups and side chains, has greatly aided research in protein structure and function. ECD has been conducted exclusively in high vacuum and costly Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometers. Recently, Coon and coworkers, Coon, J. J.; Syka, J. E. P.; Schwartz, J. C.; Shabanowitz, J. and Hunt, D. F.; Int. J. of Mass Spectrom. 236 (2004) 33-42 and Syka, J. E. P.; Coon, J. J.; Schroeder, M. J.; Shabanowitz, J. and Hunt, D. F.; Proc. Natl. acad. Sci. USA (2004), reported an analog to ECD termed Electron Transfer Dissociation (ETD) conducted in a modified linear ion trap. Radical anions and multiply charged proteins or peptides were added separately and trapped in a linear ion trap modified to trap positive and negative polarity ions simultaneously in a background pressure of approximately 3 millitorr. In the ETD process, ion-ion reactions occur whereby an anion transfers an electron to a positive polarity multiply charged peptide or protein with sufficient energy to cause rearrangement of a hydrogen radical leading to fragmentation of the protein or peptide backbone. This fragmentation pathway produces c and z type fragment ions that may remain noncovalently bound but can be dissociated in collisions with neutral background gas. By judicious selection of anion species coupled with an anion isolation step prior to ion-ion reaction, Coon and coworkers found that ETD could be enhanced over charge reduction processes. Although ETD has been reported by Coon and coworkers in a linear ion trap in partial vacuum, ETD has not been practiced in an atmospheric pressure ion source as described in the current invention.
Photoionization has been conducted at atmospheric pressure, U.S. Patent Number; U.S. Pat. No. 6,534,765 B1, and in vacuum U.S. Patent Number; U.S. Pat. No. 6,211,516 B1 Bruins and coinventors added toluene dopant through a pneumatic nebulizer with vaporizer heater sample inlet probe at atmospheric pressure to enhance the photoionization signal of positive polarity protonated and radical cation species. Bruins et al does not describe the addition of photoionized reagent ions produced from a separate inlet probe and mixed with gas phase molecules produced from a separate sample inlet probe to generate sample ions. The API source configured and operated according to the invention allows the separate production of photoionized reagent ions from one liquid or gas inlet with mixing of such reagent ions with sample gas phase molecules produced from a sample solution inlet probe to generate ions from the evaporated sample solution. Syagen has developed a commercially available combination APCI and Atmospheric Pressure Photoionization Source (APPI) and a Combination ES and APPI source as described in Syage, J. A. et. al., J. Chromatogr. A 1050 (2004) 137-149. The krypton discharge uv lamp and/or a corona discharge needle configured in the Syagen ion sources is used to ionize gas phase neutral sample and reagent molecules produced from the same pneumatic nebulizer vaporizer heater inlet probe. In the combination ion sources described, photoionization is conducted directly on the primary sample solution sprayed and vaporized.
The invention comprises an Atmospheric Pressure Ion source that is configured to conduct multiple operating modes with rapid switching between operating modes manually or under software control and without the need to exchange hardware components. The ion source configured and operated according to the invention supports the following functions individually or simultaneously;
1. Electrospray ionization of a sample solution,
2. Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of a sample solution with corona discharge generated reagent ions,
3. Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of a sample solution with photoionization generated reagent ions,
4. The gas phase addition of a second population of ions to the sample generated ions for internal or external calibration of acquired mass spectra,
5. Charge reduction of Electrospray produced multiply charged ions through gas phase ion to molecule reactions at atmospheric pressure,
6. Charge reduction of Electrospray produced multiply charged ions through gas phase reactions with ions of opposite polarity at atmospheric pressure,
7. Reacting positive multiply charged ions produced from Electrospray ionization with negative polarity reagent ions at atmospheric pressure to cause Electron Transfer Dissociation of multiply charged ions at atmospheric pressure and
8. Ionizing samples from sample bearing surfaces at atmospheric pressure.
The invention comprises a multiple function atmospheric pressure ion source interfaced to a mass spectrometer. The multiple functions combined in one atmospheric pressure ion source serve to increase the overall mass analyzer capability and performance. Multiple ion source functions improve the analytical specificity and increase the speed and range of MS analysis for a wide range of analytical applications while lowering the cost of analysis. According to the invention, multiple inlet probes are configured in a multiple function API ion source and may be run individually or combined to provide different ion source operating modes with no increase in hardware complexity. The invention allows rapid switching between multiple ionization and gas phase ion-neutral or ion-ion reaction modes in offline or on-line operation. The multiple ion source functions can be complemented with further MSn analysis using an appropriate mass spectrometer that conducts one or more ion mass to charge selection and fragmentation steps. The multiple function ion source includes the ability to selectively generate ions through Electrospray ionization processes, Atmospheric Chemical Ionization Processes Photoionization processes and surface ionization processes individually or in combination. The multiple inlet probe ion source configured and operated according to the invention also enables the selective generation of calibration ions from one or more solution inlet probes that can be sampled separately or mixed with ions generated from a sample introduction probe during MS spectrum acquisition.
An API source configured according to the invention also allows the generation of ions from at least one additional liquid inlet probe having the opposite polarity from those ions generated from the sample introduction Electrospray probe. The opposite polarity ions from both inlet probes mix at atmospheric pressure allowing opposite polarity ion to ion reactions. In this manner, charge reduction or Electron Transfer Dissociation fragmentation of multiply charged ions generated from the primary Electrospray inlet probe can be selected as individual or combined operating modes. Alternatively, selected neutral gas species may be introduced with the countercurrent drying gas or through an additional inlet probe to mix with the multiply charged ions generated from the Electrospray sample inlet probe. Ion to neutral reactions resulting in proton transfer to and from negative or positive polarity multiply charged ions respectively result in charge reduction of multiply charged ions at atmospheric pressure. Charge reduction of multiply charged ions, particularly of mixtures, spreads mass spectral peaks out along the measured mass to charge scale by moving multiply charged ion peaks further up the mass to charge scale and reduces the number of redundant multiply charged peaks for each molecular species appearing in the mass spectrum. Spreading the mass spectra peaks over a larger mass to charge range and reducing the number of multiply charged peaks per molecular species reduces mass spectrum complexity. Reduced mass spectrum complexity facilitates interpretation of mass spectra and effectively increases peak capacity by expanding the mass to charge scale and reducing the number of overlapping peaks. A sample solution containing proteins or peptides Electrosprayed from the sample introduction probe into the multiple function API source produces positive polarity multiply charged ions. Negative polarity reagent ions of selected species produced from a second solution inlet probe spray can be mixed and reacted with the positive polarity multiply charged sample ions at atmospheric pressure resulting in Electron Transfer Dissociation of protein and peptide ions prior to MS analysis. Conducting a protein or peptide ion fragmentation step in the API source can be applied in a “top down” or “bottom up” approach for protein or peptide identification. Ion source ETD can be further complemented by additional MSn fragmentation steps conducted in the mass analyzer, enhancing specificity.
Multiple modes of API source ion generation and ion reactions can be switched on and off rapidly to create and analyze different ion populations from the same sample on-line and in real time or off-line in batch sample analysis. Ion populations produced in the multiple function API source can be further subjected to capillary to skimmer fragmentation and/or MSn fragmentation in the mass analyzer providing information rich data sets. Particularly in target analysis, such data sets can be applied to a range of automated data evaluation functions providing answers to the analytical questions posed. Ion source operating modes can be rapidly switched using preprogrammed acquisition methods or based on data dependent decisions. Individual and combined Electrospray, APCI, APPI operating modes, according to the invention, allow quantitative analysis with minimum compromise in a linear dynamic range when compared to single ionization mode ion source performance. All proposed API source operating modes can be controlled and/or switched through software with no change of hardware or reconnections to external fluid delivery systems.
In previously reported and commercially available single probe ES, APCI and combination ES and APCI sources, sample ions and reagent ions are generated from the same sample bearing solution. APCI reagent ions are generated using a corona discharge in single function APCI source or combination ES and APCI sources. The same solution that may optimize an LC separation or Electrospray ionization performance may not be the optimal solution for generating APCI or APPI reagent ions to maximize gas phase charge exchange efficiency or ionization of non polar and low proton affinity vaporized sample molecules. The API source configured according to the invention with multiple inlet probes allows the optimization of solution chemistries for front end sample separation and/or ES ionization of the sample flow through the sample solution inlet probe while allowing independent optimization of reagent ions or neutral gas reactant species introduced through additional inlet probes. Additional solution and gas inlet probes comprising in the ion source, configured according to the invention, allow the independent introduction of separate solution chemistries that are vaporized and/or ionized to provide optimal calibration ion species or gas phase ion or neutral reactions species when reacted with the sample introduction spray. Mixing two gas and ion populations generated from separate inlet probes can be optimized to enhance individual or combined ES, APCI or APPI ion generation from sample solution Electrosprayed or nebulized as a neutral spray. When operating multiple inlet probes to produce the same polarity ions, the reagent ions generated from the non sample inlet probes mix with gas phase ions and neutral molecules generated from the sample solution nebulized or Electrosprayed (with nebulization assist) from the primary sample inlet probe to promote gas phase ionization of the vaporized sample solution. By introducing reference standards to a second inlet probe solution, calibration ions can be generated simultaneously with reagent ions and mixed with the primary sample solution ions generated from the first inlet probe. This allows the selective introduction of calibration ions for internal or external calibration as well as enhancing gas phase ionization of less polar compounds independent from the sample solution introduction and ionization. The calibration sample solution is not introduced through the primary sample solution flow channel eliminating contamination or carry over issues.
Varying the neutral reagent molecule concentration and basicity can improve control of deprotonation of multiply charged species in the multiple inlet probe API source configured according to the invention while minimizing ion neutralization and reagent molecule clustering. Selected reagent species can be introduced as neutral gas phase molecules mixed with the countercurrent drying gas, by spraying through a second ES inlet probe with no electric field applied at the tip, by vaporizing a solution traversing the vaporizer of a second APCI inlet probe with no corona discharge applied to the exiting neutral vapor, or by adding reagent gas through the second probe nebulizer gas line. The gas phase reagent molecules introduced through the second inlet probe, or introduced with the countercurrent drying gas, mix with the multiply charged ions produced from sample introduction Electrospray probe. The ability to deprotonate a positive polarity multiply charged ion will be a function of gas phase reagent molecule basicity and the gas phase proton affinity of protonated sites on the multiply charged ions. Desired deprotonated charge states can be achieved with selection of specific reagent molecule gas phase basicity in target analysis. Charge reduction with multiply charged negative ions can also be achieved in the multiple function API source configured according to the invention by introducing neutral gas species with sufficiently high acidity. In atmospheric pressure ion-molecule reactions, the acidic reagent molecule may donate a proton to deprotonated sites of multiply charged negative ions such as oligonucleotides resulting in controlled charge reduction without neutralization.
In one embodiment of the invention, the API source comprises at least two Electrospray sample introduction probes configured with pneumatic nebulization assist and electrodes surrounding each Electrospray probe tip. The two ES inlet probes are configured so that the pneumatically nebulized spray plumes generated from each inlet probe intersect to form a mixing region. A portion of the ions generated from either inlet probe individually or generated in the mixing region are sampled through an orifice into vacuum and mass to charge analyzed. One ES inlet probe can be configured to serve as the primary sample introduction probe and the second ES inlet probe may be operated to provide an optimal reagent ion population in the mixing region to maximize atmospheric pressure chemical ionization of neutral gas molecules generated by evaporation of the sample solution Electrosprayed or nebulized from the sample inlet probe. APCI of neutral species is performed in the mixing region without the ion and neutral molecule population generated from the sample inlet probe traversing a corona discharge region. The second inlet probe spray can be turned off allowing the production of Electrospray-only generated ions from the sample solution. Conversely, voltage can be applied to the electrode surrounding the sample introduction inlet probe to minimize the production of Electrosprayed charged droplets producing a net neutral nebulized spray. The evaporating net neutral spray is then reacted with reagent ions generated from one or more additional ES inlet probes in the mixing region to produce an APCI ion population from the sample solution. With multiple inlet probes producing charged species, ES and APCI ions generated simultaneously from the sample solution can be sampled from the mixing region into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the additional inlet Electrospray probes are replaced with one or more APCI inlet probes comprising a pneumatic nebulizer, vaporizer heater and a corona discharge needle. The one or multiple additional APCI probe positions are configured to optimize the mixing of reagent ions and neutral gas species generated in the APCI vaporizer and corona discharge regions with the sample inlet probe spray. Similar to the multiple Electrospray inlet probe embodiment, the sample introduction ES probe and additional APCI probe embodiment can be operated to generate ES or APCI only ion populations, or mixtures of both, that are directed into vacuum for mass to charge analysis. In an alternative embodiment, an additional APCI probe comprises an ultraviolet light source to enable production of a photoionized reagent ion population that is directed into the mixing region. The invention includes the selective generation of reagent gas phase ions and neutral species by Electrospray, Corona Discharge or Photoionization independent from the population of ion and neutral gas phase species generated from the sample introduction probe. Sample neutral molecule and ion populations mix with the independently generated reagent ion and neutral gas populations to produce selected ES and APCI ion species that are directed into vacuum for mass to charge analysis.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, selected gas neutral or opposite polarity ion species can be mixed with the ES generated sample spray to cause charge reduction or to effect atmospheric pressure Electron Capture Dissociation of multiple charged ions generated from the sample inlet ES probe. Neutral gas species can be introduced by mixing reagent molecule species with the countercurrent drying gas or with the non sample inlet probe nebulizer gas. Alternatively, reagent molecules can be produced from solution vaporized through introduction from a non sample inlet probe. In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, a second ES, APCI or APPI inlet probe can be operated to produce ions of opposite polarity from those ions generated from the sample introduction ES probe. The simultaneously produced opposite polarity ion populations are combined in a mixing region at atmospheric pressure. Reacting ions of opposite polarity with multiply charged ions generated from the ES sample inlet probe can result in charge reduction of the initial ES generated ion population at atmospheric pressure.
In one embodiment of the invention, at least one non-sample solution inlet probe produces a gas phase ion population that is directed to impinge on a sample bearing surface. The ions impacting on the sample bearing surface aid in the evaporation and ionization of the sample on the surface when combined with rapidly switching of the electric field at the surface with or without a laser desorption pulse.
In all embodiments of the invention, populations of ions can be generated from one or more sample inlet probes where they may be directed into vacuum for mass to charge analysis, mixed with other ion populations simultaneously generated at or near atmospheric pressure prior to sampling into vacuum for mass to charge analysis, or reacted with independently generated ion or neutral species at or near atmospheric pressure followed by mass to charge analysis of the product ion population. Calibration ions generated from solutions introduced through non-sample inlet probes can be mixed with sample-generated ions prior to mass to charge analysis to provide calibration peaks in an acquired mass spectrum. Alternatively, the calibration ions can be mass to charge analyzed, not mixed with sample related ions, to provide mass spectra that can be used for external calibration. All modes of API source operation, according to the invention, can be rapidly switched on or off through event-dependent program control, or preprogrammed or user interactive software control.
One embodiment of the invention as diagramed in
DC electrical potentials are applied to Electrospray inlet probe tips 31 and 32, electrostatic lenses 28, 30, 38/39, 55/56, 58, and 62 during the generation of ions in API source chamber 50. The electric potentials applied to these electrostatic elements can be rapidly changed through user control or software program control to rapidly switch to different ion source operating modes. The first operating mode is essentially optimized single probe Electrospray ionization with MS acquisition. This first operating mode comprises Electrospray ionization of sample solution introduced through Electrospray inlet probe 1. In this operating mode, no solution is sprayed from Electrospray inlet probe 2. Typically, in this operating mode, ES inlet probe 1 with tip 31 is operated at ground potential. The voltages applied to capillary entrance electrode 62, nosepiece 38, grid 56, and cylindrical lens 58 may be operated at −5,000V, −4,000V, +100V and −3,500V respectively. The voltage applied to ring lens 28 is set to a value that optimizes ES performance falling between the nose piece 38 and ES inlet probe tip 31 potentials. In this operating mode, ES inlet probe 2 with exit tip 32 would be operated at ground potential and ring electrode 30 voltage would be set to optimize ES ion transmission into capillary orifice 44 through orifice entrance end 60. The configuration of ES inlet probe 2 can enhance the performance of ES inlet probe 1. Heated or unheated nebulizing gas may be turned on through ES probe 2 during ES inlet probe 1. Electrospray operation to aid in droplet drying and directing ions through nosepiece opening 43 and into capillary bore 44. Auxiliary heated drying gas 105 may be turned on during the Electrospraying of solution from ES inlet probe 1 to aid in drying the sprayed sample liquid droplets. Sample solution 8, flowing through ES inlet probe 1, is Electrosprayed from ES probe tip 31 with or without pneumatic nebulization assist. A portion of the ions produced from the evaporating charged droplets in Electrospray plume 41 move against counter current drying gas 37 driven by the electric fields and pass through nosepiece opening 43 and into capillary orifice bore through capillary orifice entrance 60. The applied electric fields move ions from chamber 50 through nose piece opening 43 and toward capillary entrance end 60. Ions are swept through capillary bore 44 by the gas flow expanding into vacuum and pass through a free jet expansion in vacuum chamber 64 as they exit capillary bore exit 61. With the appropriate electrical potentials applied to capillary exit lens 63, skimmer 68, ion guide 70 and mass analyzer 80, a portion of the ions passing through capillary bore 44 are directed through opening 67 of skimmer 68 and pass through ion guide 70 into mass analyzer 80 for mass to charge analysis and detection.
In the embodiment of the invention diagramed in
Heated counter current drying gas 37 and auxiliary drying gas 105, provide enthalpy to promote drying of Electrosprayed droplets, and counter current drying gas 37 minimizes the entry of neutral contaminant species into capillary bore 44. All gas and vapor entering API source chamber 50 that does not pass through capillary bore 44, exits as gas mixture 83 through vent and drain 84. API source chamber 50 is typically configured with seals that prevent outside air from entering chamber 50, preventing undesired gas and contamination species that can affect the ionization processes and add contamination peaks in acquired mass spectra. API source chamber 50 may be operated at atmospheric pressure or above or below atmospheric pressure by applying respectively no restriction, some restriction or reduced pressure externally on vent or drain 84.
API source 4 may be run in a second operating mode configured to enhance Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization of sample molecules evaporated in the nebulization-assisted Electrospray from ES sample inlet probe 1. In this second operating mode, solution is simultaneously Electrosprayed with pneumatic nebulization assist from ES inlet probe 2. The potentials applied to ES probe tips 31 and 32 and ring electrodes 28 and 30 are set to generate the same polarity Electrosprayed charged droplets from both ES inlet probes 1 and 2. The same polarity ions are generated from the resulting evaporating charged droplets sprayed from both ES inlet probes. The ion and neutral gas molecules produced in evaporating assisted Electrospray plume 41 mix with the ion and neutral gas molecules produced in evaporating assisted Electrospray plume 42 in mixing region 48. The composition of reagent solution 10, 11 or 12 is selected to maximize the ionization efficiency of neutral gas molecules evaporated in Electrospray plume 41 generated from ES inlet probe 1 while minimizing reactions with Electrospray ions generated from ES inlet probe 1 solution 8. For example, in positive ion mode, protonated ion species will be generated from solutions sprayed from both ES inlet probes 1 and 2. The reagent solution sprayed through ES inlet probe 2 is selected to generate ions with low proton affinity, which, when reacted with higher proton affinity neutral molecules evaporated from solution 8 in Electrospray plume 41, will transfer the proton from the reagent ion to the sample molecule, resulting in Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization (APCI) of sample gas phase molecules. Reactions between Electrospray sample ions generated from ES probe 1 and Electrospray reagent ions generated from ES inlet probe 2 will be minimal due to charge repulsion between same-polarity ions. A portion of the ion population comprising APCI generated sample ions combined with Electrospray generated sample ions in mixing region 48 is directed into capillary entrance orifice 60 due to the electric fields, and is then directed to mass analyzer and detector 80 where the ions are mass to charge analyzed.
As is known, but not entirely characterized or understood, gas phase charge exchange reactions or Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization processes can occur within the evaporating Electrospray plume produced from ES inlet probe 1. In the case of positive ion production, evaporated neutral molecules from sample solution 8 that have higher gas phase proton affinity compared with their solution proton affinity may charge exchange with Electrospray generated ions that have higher solution phase proton affinity but lower gas phase proton affinity relative to evaporated neutral molecule species. The addition of an independently generated population of low proton affinity gas phase ions can reduce the neutralization or charge suppression of sample Electrospray generated ions, improving sample ion signal intensity. The added proton donating species provide additional protons to ionize sample gas phase neutral molecules that could alternatively remove protons from Electrospray generated sample ions. In addition, the ion signal for less polar gas phase compounds can simultaneously increase due to an increased number of gas phase proton donor species available resulting in improved APCI efficiency of sample gas phase neutral molecules. Non proton cations such as sodium or potassium can be added to mixing region 48 through spray 42 from ES inlet probe 2 by spraying salt solutions whereby neutral sample molecules evaporated from solution 8 in spray 41 that have low proton affinity, but higher sodium or potassium affinity, can be ionized through APCI charge exchange processes. The nebulized and evaporated gas composition introduced through ES probe 2 can be modified by flowing additional gas 24 through valve 25. Auxiliary gas flow 24 can be manually or software program controlled by adjusting flow control valve 25 or changing the delivered gas pressure. Nebulizing gas 17 flowrate through ES inlet probe 2 can be controlled manually or through software programs by changing the output pressure of pressure regulator 26 or changing the setting of gas flow control valve 18. Nebulizing gas 17 and auxiliary gas 24 mix at junction 19 prior to passing through gas heater 20 and exiting at ES probe tip 32. The temperature of the nebulizing gas exiting from tip 32 of ES inlet probe 2 can be changed manually or through software control by adjusting the power to gas heater 20. Auxiliary gas 24 can be added to provide a specific gas phase reactant species in mixing region 48. Different ES inlet probe 2 spray solutions can be selected by switching valve 13 to select solutions 10, 11 or 12. Solutions 10, 11 and 12 may be delivered from any fluid delivery system known in the art including, but not limited to, syringe pumps, reciprocating piston pumps or pressure vessels. Solutions 10, 11 or 12 may contain different calibration solutions required in different analytical applications. The calibration solutions can be sprayed through ES inlet probe 2 and the resulting calibration ions mixed with the sample ions generated from ES inlet probe 1 in mixing region 48. A portion of the mixed ion population is swept through capillary bore 44 and mass to charge analyzed. This ion mixture produces a mass spectrum containing peaks that can be used for internal calibration, improving mass to charge measurement accuracy. Translator stages 21 and 22 can be used to adjust the relative and absolute positions and/or angles of ES inlet probes land 2 manually or through software control to maximize performance. For example, the location of the mixing region may be adjusted to maximize APCI efficiency and product ion sampling efficiency into capillary orifice 44 for a given liquid flow rate through ES inlet probe 1.
An example of increased sample ion signal due to improved APCI efficiency using intersecting dual Electrosprays is shown in
With no change in hardware, ions used for internal calibration of acquired mass spectra can be added to the ion population generated from the sample solution Electrosprayed from ES inlet probe 1. Operating the API source as configured in
The same API Source as configured in
Optionally, charge reduction of multiply charged sample species Electrosprayed from ES inlet probe 1 can be achieved by introducing reagent gas 24 with the appropriate basicity through valve 25 and mixing reagent gas 24 with nebulizing gas 17. The nebulized gas, containing charge reducing reagent gas 24 introduced through ES probe 2, mixes with multiply charged ions generated from ES inlet probe 1 in mixing region 48. A portion of the resulting charged reduced ion population is sampled through capillary bore 44 of capillary 40 and mass to charge analyzed by mass to charge analyzer 80.
The multiple function multiple inlet probe API source as diagramed in
The relative positions of ES inlet probes 1 and 2 can be adjusted to maximize reaction efficiency between simultaneously produced positive and negative ions. Referring to
An alternative embodiment of the invention is diagramed in
The multiple function ion source embodiments diagramed in
An alternative embodiment of the invention is diagramed in
The switching of voltages applied to ring lenses allows ES only, APCI only or combination ES and APCI ionization of sample molecules sprayed from ES inlet probe 181. Alternatively, liquid solution flow through ES Inlet probes 182 and 183 can be turned on and off to promote or minimize APCI of gas phase sample molecules present in spray plume 185. Infrared lamp 205 can be turned on to increase the rate of liquid droplet evaporation in spray plumes 185, 186, and 187 particularly for higher liquid flow rates. The liquid flow rates through ES inlet probes 182 or 183 can be reduced relative to primary sample solution flow rate through ES inlet Probe 181 to minimize the total solution evaporation required. The total current or reagent ion production from ES inlet probes 182 and 183 can be maximized even with low liquid flow rates by adjusting solution chemistry and applied voltages. Alternatively, reagent ion production can be maximized using ES inlet probes configured with a cation or anion membrane transfer region as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 60/573,666 and incorporated herein by reference. ES inlet Probes 182 and 183 can be operated to produce ions of opposite polarity from the ion polarity generated from ES inlet probe 181. Ring electrodes 196 and 197 electrically shield the local field at exit tips 192 and 193 respectively from modifying the electric field applied locally at exit tip 191 of sample solution inlet probe 181 during opposite polarity ion production. As described for the embodiment shown in
The API source embodiment diagramed in
The centerline and spray direction of ES inlet probes 181, 182 and 183 may be positioned at different angles relative to ES source centerline 208 as diagramed in
An alternative embodiment to the multiple function API source invention is shown in
Electrodes 217 and 237 diagramed in
The voltages applied to Ring Electrodes 248, 249 and 250 may be switched synchronous to the voltage applied to electrodes 243 and 242. When the voltages applied to electrodes 243 and 242 are switched to direct ions away from the surface of sample 241, the voltages applied to ring electrodes 248, 249 and 250 may be switched to prevent the generation of charged liquid droplets, as shown in
The multiple function API source embodiments described can be employed in a wide range of analytical applications to improve analytical capability and reduce analysis time and expense. Consider as an example, the MS or LC-MS analysis of a complex biological matrix, such as blood or urine, for the detection, quantification and identification of biomarkers or metabolites. After an initial cleanup step, the sample may be sprayed directly or sent through a front end one or two dimensional Liquid Chromatography step providing some degree of sample species separation prior to MS analysis. With rapid switching between operating modes, the proposed multiple function ion source can produce positive and negative Electrospray and APCI ions from polar and non polar compounds in solution. The Electrospray and APCI ion generation can occur separately in time or simultaneously. If multiply charged peptide or protein ions are produced in Electrospray mode from a primary sample solution ES inlet probe 1, selected ions of opposite polarity can be generated from solution sprayed through a second probe 2 and reacted with the multiply charged ions Electrosprayed from the probe 1. The population of opposite polarity reagent ions can be chosen to promote charge reduction reactions or Electron Transfer Dissociation reactions separately or simultaneously. Alternatively, the second inlet probe 2 can be operated to produce a neutral vapor of reagent molecules having an appropriate gas phase basicity that mix and react with the multiply charged ions generated from ES inlet probe 1 resulting in charge reduction Charge reduction reactions can occur with multiply charged positive polarity ions when negative polarity reagent ions or high proton affinity neutral molecules react with multiply charged ions and remove protons. Conversely, charge reduction reactions can occur with multiply charged negative polarity ions when positive polarity reagent ions or low proton affinity (or high electron affinity) neutral molecules react with multiply charged ions by transferring protons. Electron Transfer Dissociation reactions can occur when negative polarity reagent ions transfer an electron to a multiply charged positive polarity peptide or protein at low energy. Charge reduction allows the shifting of multiply charged peaks, increasing peak capacity, reducing interferences in the mass spectrum, and potentially increasing signal to noise by collapsing a larger number of multiply charged peaks into a fewer number of multiply charged peaks. ETD fragment ions produced in the API source can subsequently be subjected to additional MSn fragmentation in the mass analyzer to obtain unambiguous identification of protein or peptide biomarker species in solution. Front end LC separation will reduce the number of components and hence the complexity of parent ion and fragment ion peaks per mass spectrum. This decreases the burden on evaluation software to identify and quantify components in solution resulting in increased MS analytical specificity. In clinical applications, the proposed multiple function API source configured with minimum hardware complexity, enables higher analytical specificity and decreased analysis time without compromising sensitivity and quantitative performance.
The proposed multiple function ion source may also be used to enhance MS analytical capability in high throughput compound screening. A number of analytical capabilities of the proposed multiple function API ion source can be utilized in the high throughput screening of drug candidates using pharmaceutical compound libraries. Prior to screening for a drug candidate, the reference library compound solution quality may be checked by running each sample through MS or LC-MS analysis to assess compound purity. Several hundred thousand compound library samples may be analyzed prior to a drug screening run, and it is desirable to minimize the cost per analysis per sample while maximizing analytical performance. A multiple function API source with the ability to rapidly switch between ES, APCI and APR ionization in positive and negative ion polarity modes can be used to ionize a large percentage of compound types contained in the compound library samples, providing a more complete picture of sample purity. Selectively applying different ionization modes with rapid switching between each mode while retaining quantitative response to the sample analyzed, increases the confidence of sample purity analysis at a lower cost per sample. The need to rerun samples through multiple ion sources will not be required Reference compounds that enable mass to charge calibration can be simultaneously added in the proposed ion source to provide internal calibration peaks in acquired mass spectra or mass spectra acquired close in time to the analyte MS spectra and used for external calibration. Time-Of-Flight mass spectrometric analysis routinely achieves sub 5 part per million (ppm) mass measurement accuracies with internal calibration and with external calibration acquired close in time to acquired sample mass spectra. Improved mass measurement accuracies combined with higher resolving power of TOF mass spectrometers (compared to quadrupole MS) provide a higher confidence level when assessing purity of known compounds in library samples. MS peak overlap is reduced and higher precision MS peak centroid measurement is achieved. The proposed multiple function ion source will reduce analysis time and cost for large sample lots while enhancing the quality, specificity and accuracy of sample characterization in high throughput biological screening or combinatorial chemistry applications.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/218,800, filed Aug. 26, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/368,712, filed Feb. 10, 2009, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/396,968, filed on Apr. 3, 2006, which claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No. 60/668,544, filed on Apr. 4, 2005.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20140326871 A1 | Nov 2014 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60668544 | Apr 2005 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13218800 | Aug 2011 | US |
| Child | 14226101 | US | |
| Parent | 11396968 | Apr 2006 | US |
| Child | 12368712 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 12368712 | Feb 2009 | US |
| Child | 13218800 | US |
