Sample component trapping, release, and separation with membrane assemblies interfaced to electrospray mass spectrometry

Abstract

The invention provides a method and apparatus for trapping, releasing and/or separating sample components in solution passing through a channel with or without packing material present by passing ion current through the channel driven by an electric field. A portion of the ion current comprises cation and/or anion species generated from second solution flows separated from the sample solution flow path by semipermeable membranes. Cation and/or Anion ion species generated in the second solution flow regions are transferred into the sample solution flow path through ion selective semipermeable membranes. Ion current moving along the sample solution flow path is controlled by varying the composition of the second solutions and/or changing the voltage between membrane sections for a given sample solution composition. The sample composition may also be varied separately or in parallel to enhance trapping, release and/or separation efficiency and range. The invention when interfaced to an Atmospheric Pressure Ion Source, that may include Electrospray Ionization, with mass spectrometric analysis enables independent control of the on-line sample separation process and the Atmospheric Pressure Ion Source or Electrospray ionization processes.

We claim: 
     
       1. An apparatus for analyzing chemical species comprising:
 a. at least one membrane assembly each configured with a semipermeable membrane separating a first and second flow channel and an electrode positioned in said second flow channel, 
 b. first and second solution flow in said first and second said flow channel, 
 c. an ion source interfaced to said first solution flow outlet of said at least one membrane assembly and a mass spectrometer, 
 d. means for introducing sample species into said first solution, 
 e. at least one means for capturing, releasing or separating at least a portion of said sample, species in said first solution, said means connected to said first solution flow. 
 
     
     
       2. An apparatus for analyzing chemical species comprising:
 a. at least one membrane assembly each with a semipermeable membrane separating a first and second flow channel and an electrode positioned in said second flow channel, 
 b. first and second solution flow in said first and second said flow channel, 
 c. means for introducing sample species into said first solution, 
 d. at least one means for capturing releasing or separating at least a portion of said sample, species in said first solution, said means connected to said first solution flow, and 
 e. a detector to detect said sample species eluting from at least one said membrane assembly. 
 
     
     
       3. An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said means for capturing releasing or separating comprises a chromatography column. 
     
     
       4. An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said means for capturing releasing or separating comprises an Electrocapture electrocapture open channel. 
     
     
       5. An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said ion source comprises an Electrospray electrospray ion source. 
     
     
       6. An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said apparatus comprises a means for applying and controlling voltages applied to said electrode. 
     
     
       7. An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said apparatus comprises means for independently changing the a composition of said first and second solutions. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said semipermeable membrane comprises a cation exchange membrane. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  2  wherein said semipermeable membrane comprises an anion exchange membrane. 
     
     
       10. An apparatus according to  claim 2  wherein said detector comprises a light absorption detector. 
     
     
       11. A method for analyzing chemical species comprising:
 a. utilizing an apparatus comprising at least one membrane assembly each configured with a semipermeable membrane separating a first and second flow channel and an electrode positioned in said second flow channel, an Electrospray electrospray ion source interfaced to said first solution flow outlet of said at least one membrane assembly and a mass spectrometer and a packed chromatography column connected to said first solution flow channel, 
 b. flowing a first and second solution in said first and said at least one second flow channel, 
 c. injecting sample species into said first solution flow channel, 
 d. Generating generating at least one ion current in at least one said second solution flow channel and directing said ion current through said semipermeable membrane into said first solution flow, 
 e. Controlling controlling said at least one ion current amplitude and direction in said first flow channel, 
 f. Using using said ion current to capture said sample species on or release said sample species from said packed chromatography column, 
 g. Directing directing said at least one ion current to said Electrospray electrospray ion source for Electrospray ionization of said released sample species, and 
 h. Mass mass to charge analyzing and detecting said ionized sample species in said mass spectrometer. 
 
     
     
       12. A method for analyzing chemical species comprising:
 a. utilizing an apparatus comprising at least one membrane assembly each comprising a semipermeable membrane separating a first and second flow channel and an electrode positioned in said second flow channel, an Electrospray electrospray ion source interfaced to said first solution flow outlet of said at least one membrane assembly and a mass spectrometer and an electrically insulated open channel connected to said first solution flow channel, 
 b. flowing a first and second solution in said first and said at least one second flow channel, 
 c. injecting sample species into said first solution flow channel, 
 d. Generating generating at least one ion current in at least one said second solution flow channel and directing said ion current through said semipermeable membrane into said first solution flow, 
 e. Controlling controlling said at least one ion current amplitude and direction in said first flow channel, 
 f. Using using said ion current to capture, release and/or separate said sample species, 
 g. Directing  directing said at least one ion current to said Electrospray electrospray ion source for Electrospray electrospray ionization of said separated sample species, and 
 h. Mass mass to charge analyzing and detecting said ionized sample species in said mass spectrometer. 
 
     
     
       13. A method for analyzing chemical species comprising:
 a. utilizing an apparatus comprising at least one membrane assembly each configured with a semipermeable membrane separating a first and second flow channel and an electrode positioned in said second flow channel, a detector interfaced to said first solution flow outlet of said at least one membrane assembly and an electrically insulated open channel connected to said first solution flow channel, 
 b. flowing a first and second solution in said first and at least one said second flow channel, 
 c. injecting sample species into said first solution flow channel, 
 d. Generating generating at least one ion current in at least one said second solution flow channel and directing said ion current through said semipermeable membrane into said first solution flow, 
 e. Controlling controlling said at least one ion current amplitude and direction in said first flow channel, 
 f. Using using said ion current to capture, release and/or separate said sample species in open channel, and 
 g. Detecting detecting said released sample species with said detector. 
 
     
     
       14. A method for analyzing chemical species comprising:
 a. utilizing an apparatus comprising at least one membrane assembly each configured with a semipermeable membrane separating a first and second flow channel and an electrode positioned in said second flow channel, a detector interfaced to said first solution flow outlet of said at least one membrane assembly and an electrically insulated open channel connected to said first solution flow channel, 
 b. flowing a first and second solution in said first and second flow channel, 
 c. injecting sample species into said first solution flow channel, 
 d. generating at least one ion current in at least one said second solution flow channel and directing said ion current through said semipermeable membrane into said first solution flow, 
 e. Controlling controlling said at least one ion current amplitude and direction in said first flow channel, 
 f. Using using said ion current to capture said sample species on or release said sample species from at least one said membrane, and 
 g. Detecting detecting said released sample species with said detector. 
 
     
     
       15. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein said release of said sample species is controlled to effect separation of said sample species. 
     
     
       16. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein said controlling said at least one ion current comprises changing the a composition of at least one said second solution. 
     
     
       17. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein said controlling said at least one ion current comprises changing the a voltage applied to at least one said electrode. 
     
     
       18. A method according to  claim 13  or  14  wherein said detector is a light absorption detector. 
     
     
       19. A method according to  claim 11  wherein said packed chromatography column is an ion exchange chromatography column and said release of said ion species is conducted using ion exchange. 
     
     
       20. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein at least one said semipermeable membrane is a cation exchange membrane. 
     
     
       21. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein at least one said semipermeable membrane is an anion exchange membrane. 
     
     
       22. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein said controlling said at least one ion current amplitude conducts comprises conducting a pH scan or step function in a portion of said first flow channel. 
     
     
       23. A method according to  claim 11 ,  12 ,  13  or  14  wherein a portion of said ion current directed into said first solution flow channel through said at least one semipermeable membrane is removed from said first solution flow channel through a different said at least one semipermeable membrane. 
     
     
       24. A method according to  claim 12  or  14  wherein Electrocapture electrocapture is used to effect said capture, release and separation of said sample species. 
     
     
       25. A method according to  claim 12  wherein Capillary Electrophoresis capillary electrophoresis is used to effect said separation of said sample species.