Coating of aerosol particles using an acoustic coater
Inventors
Bryden, Wayne A. • Call, Charles J.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-10598668-B2
Publication Date
2020-03-24
Expiration Date
2036-08-24
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Abstract
Coating materials such as MALDI matrix solutions are aerosolized and are used to coat analyte particles in an acoustic coater. Methods and devices for coating analyte particles in real time are disclosed. The coating improves the detection and quantification of the analyte particles using analytical instruments such as an aerosol time of flight mass spectrometer.
Core Innovation
The invention provides methods and devices for coating aerosol analyte particles using an acoustic coater to enhance the detection and quantification of analyte particles. Specifically, the invention enables real-time, on-the-fly application of a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) matrix solution to bio aerosol particles without requiring the particles to be collected on a surface or into a liquid as part of the coating process.
Problems with prior systems include limitations in analyzing single organisms, difficulties with mixed samples, labor and time-intensive sample preparation, and the ineffectiveness of conventional MALDI matrix vapor deposition for real-time analysis of bioaerosols. Previous vapor coating methods may not reproduce the uniformity of liquid coating and can degrade conventional matrix chemicals.
This disclosure addresses those problems by aerosolizing a coating material (such as a MALDI matrix solution) to form a first aerosol, providing a sampled aerosol containing analyte particles as a second aerosol, and introducing both aerosols into an acoustic coater. An acoustic field is applied to urge the first aerosol droplets to impinge upon and coat the analyte particles, producing coated aerosol particles in real time suitable for analysis via analytical instruments such as aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Optional steps include mixing the aerosols before acoustic coating, adding sheath fluid to minimize deposition, and drying the coated particles. Devices and methods are also disclosed for adapting this process to liquid samples.
Claims Coverage
The patent contains five independent claims covering key inventive features relating to methods and devices for acoustically coating aerosol particles and identifying analyte particles.
Acoustic coating of aerosol particles on-the-fly
A method for coating sampled aerosol particles by: - Aerosolizing a coating material to form a first aerosol comprising liquid particles. - Providing a sampled aerosol containing analyte particles to form a second aerosol. - Delivering both aerosols to an acoustic coater. - Applying an acoustic field in the coater that urges the first aerosol to impinge upon the particles of the second aerosol on-the-fly, resulting in coated aerosol particles.
Device for acoustic coating of sampled aerosol with MALDI matrix
A device comprising: - A nebulizer to aerosolize a matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) matrix solution to form a first aerosol of liquid particles. - An acoustic coater in fluid communication with the nebulizer, configured to receive both the first aerosol and a sampled aerosol containing analyte particles. - Application of an acoustic field in the coater to urge the first aerosol to impinge upon the analyte particles in the sampled aerosol on-the-fly, forming coated aerosol particles.
Method for identifying analyte particles present in a sampled aerosol using MALDI matrix coated particles
A method comprising: - Providing matrix assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) matrix coated sampled aerosol particles as described in the coating methods. - Analyzing the coated aerosol particles in a mass spectrometer.
Method for acoustic coating of analyte particles in a liquid sample
A method for coating analyte particles found in a liquid sample by: - Aerosolizing a coating material to form a first aerosol comprising liquid particles. - Aerosolizing a liquid sample to form a second aerosol comprising analyte particles. - Providing an acoustic coater to receive both aerosols. - Applying an acoustic field in the coater to urge the first aerosol to impinge upon the particles of the second aerosol on-the-fly, forming coated aerosol particles.
Method for identifying analyte particles present in a liquid sample using mass spectrometry
A method comprising: - Providing MALDI matrix coated analyte particles using the acoustic coating process from a liquid sample. - Analyzing the coated analyte particles in a mass spectrometer, particularly an aerosol time of flight mass spectrometer (ATOFMS).
These inventive features enable real-time, on-the-fly acoustic coating of analyte particles from sampled aerosols or liquids, facilitate analysis using mass spectrometry, and encompass both methods and specialized devices.
Stated Advantages
Enables real-time and on-the-fly coating of aerosol analyte particles without requiring collection on a surface or into a liquid during the coating process.
Improves the detection and quantification of analyte particles using analytical instruments such as aerosol time-of-flight mass spectrometers.
Allows use of conventional MALDI matrix materials that may degrade in prior vapor deposition methods.
Permits analysis of single organisms or particles, avoiding the spectral complexity and sample culturing requirements of previous techniques.
Enables high throughput and real-time measurements by allowing hundreds or thousands of particles to be analyzed per second.
Documented Applications
Real-time and on-the-fly coating and analysis of bioaerosols such as exhaled breath particles or material collected from the head space of fermentors.
Sampling and identification of microbes, proteins, peptides, or biological particles in ambient air, including detection of potential biological contaminants in critical infrastructures.
Analysis of bioaerosol particles for clinical purposes, such as analyzing respired air for proteins and pathogens.
Detection and identification of pathogens and biomolecules in biological threat scenarios, such as anthrax, Ebola virus, ricin, and botulinum toxin in sampled aerosols.
Application to coated plate preparations for conventional MALDI time-of-flight mass spectrometry, including samples derived from liquid, such as urine, saliva, sputum, blood, or stool.
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