Ion Trap Design

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RU 758 A Novel Ion Trap Design for Mass Spectrometry A sensitive and versatile analytical system, capable of identifying both large and small molecules and determining their molecular structure, is required to address the complex mixtures of molecules found in many types of biological problems. Of fundamental importance to the biochemist and biologist is the existence of robust, easy-to-use, and inexpensive instrumentation for application to their studies.  Mass spectrometry is a powerful analytical technique that is currently used to identify unknown compounds, quantify unknown compounds, and to elucidate the structure and chemical properties of molecules.  This technique can also detect minute amounts of specific compounds in very complex mixtures.  Essentially, an ionization source, such as a beam of energetic electrons, adds a charge to the molecules in the sample.  These newly charged molecules are then separated by an electromagnetic field based on mass-to-charge ratio (m/z value), and a detector registers the number of ions at each m/z value.  Developments over the last 10 years have made the ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS) an excellent tool for biomolecular analysis.  This particular technique uses an ion trap, which is a device that captures ions by the action of electric fields and then the ions are ejected in order of increasing m/z values for detection.  Our investigators have designed an ion trap that is capable of storing larger numbers of ions while ejecting the ions sequentially and at very high efficiency, resulting in a 100-1,000 fold more collectable data in a given time than what current instrumentation permits. Advantage The novel design provides for an efficient and compact ion trap that can store a high volume of ions and efficiently eject selected ions, thus enhancing the resolution and sensitivity of the mass spectrometer. Area of Application All fields utilizing mass spectrometry, such as proteomics and analytical chemistry Stage of Development Prototype Lead Inventor Brian T. Chait Patent Information S. Patent 7,323,683 (issued January 28, 2008)