A sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer
By designing a larger spotting end and a smaller detection end on the mass spectrometer sample plate, and combining hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers with staggered arrangement, the problem of limited sample spot quantity on the sample plate was solved, achieving the effect of reducing detection costs and improving detection efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- AUTOBIO LABTEC INSTR CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-12
AI Technical Summary
In existing mass spectrometers, the number of sample spots is limited during detection in a high vacuum environment, resulting in high detection costs and failing to effectively improve the detection efficiency of a single sample.
Design a sample plate with a target point consisting of a larger sampling end and a smaller detection end. The sampling end is located on one side of the area to be detected, and the detection ends are arranged sequentially. The detection ends are moved into the mass spectrometer detection position by moving the sample target groove. Hydrophilic and hydrophobic layers are set inside and outside the target point to control sample flow, and the target points are staggered to increase density.
Without changing the amount of sample placed within a single target point, the number of target points that can be set on the area to be detected is increased, the cost of single sample detection is reduced, the detection throughput is improved, and the vacuuming process in a high vacuum environment is simplified.
Smart Images
Figure CN224355222U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of mass spectrometry detection technology, and in particular to a sample plate suitable for mass spectrometers. Background Technology
[0002] A mass spectrometer, also known as a mass spectrometer, is centered around an ion source, a mass analyzer, and an ion detector. Its purpose is to separate substances and determine their composition. The ion source ionizes sample molecules under high vacuum conditions, the mass analyzer separates ions of different masses, and the ion detector collects and amplifies the ion signal, providing data for a computer to generate a mass spectrum. The sample target plate carries the sample through the ion source to the mass analyzer channel, where it undergoes laser desorption / ionization. The resulting charged ions, under the influence of an accelerating electric field, enter the mass analyzer through its inlet channel and travel a predetermined distance within the analyzer before reaching the ion detector.
[0003] Since the entire detection process operates under a high vacuum environment, a unidirectional movement of the sample target plate is adopted to reduce the difficulty of creating this environment. This significantly reduces the space required and thus increases the vacuuming speed. However, this movement method requires setting the sample points on the target plate along the direction of movement. Existing circular sample points have a limited number that can be arranged in the direction of movement. Furthermore, due to the limited precision of pipette pumps, they cannot transfer liquid samples with a volume less than 1 μL. Therefore, the number of sample points in the direction of movement cannot be increased by reducing the area of the sample points. Since the overall cost of the sample plates is essentially the same, the limited number of sample points affects the detection cost per sample, which is detrimental to detection applications.
[0004] Therefore, how to provide a sample plate for mass spectrometers that at least partially solves the above-mentioned problems is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art. Utility Model Content
[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample plate suitable for mass spectrometers, which can increase the number of target points that can be set on the detection area without changing the amount of sample spotting within a single target point, thereby effectively reducing the cost of single sample detection.
[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a sample plate suitable for mass spectrometers, for installation in conjunction with the sample target slot of the mass spectrometer. The sample plate includes several target points, which are used to carry the sample. Each target point includes a larger spotting end and a smaller detection end. The spotting end is used for spotting the sample and is located on one side of the area to be detected. The detection ends of all target points are arranged sequentially on the area to be detected, so that as the sample target slot moves, the detection ends located on the area to be detected can sequentially enter the detection position of the mass spectrometer for sample detection.
[0007] In one possible implementation, the sampling end and the detection end at the same target point are connected to allow the sample to flow along the sampling end to the detection end.
[0008] In one possible implementation, the region to be detected extends in a straight line, and the region to be detected has a first side and a second side opposite to each other on the surface of the sample plate where the target point is located. At least a portion of the sample spotting end is located on the first side of the region to be detected, and at least a portion of the sample spotting end is located on the second side of the region to be detected.
[0009] In one possible implementation, the target points are staggered along the area to be detected, such that two sample ends of adjacent target points are located on different sides of the area to be detected.
[0010] In one possible implementation, the target site contains a hydrophilic layer for sample aggregation within the target site.
[0011] In one possible implementation, a hydrophobic layer is placed outside the target to restrict the movement of the sample located inside the target to outside the target.
[0012] In one possible implementation, the target is a shallow trench structure.
[0013] In one possible implementation, the sample plate is further provided with positioning holes, including a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole spaced apart. The first positioning hole is used to cooperate with a first positioning member of the sample target groove, and the second positioning hole is used to cooperate with a second positioning member of the sample target groove, for positioning the sample plate on the sample target groove.
[0014] In one possible implementation, the sample plate is also provided with a position identification code, which corresponds one-to-one with the target point and is used to mark the position of the target point.
[0015] In one possible implementation, the sample plate is further provided with an encoding area and a barcode area, which are used to mark the sample plate number.
[0016] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution provided by this utility model has at least the following beneficial effects:
[0017] The target includes a large sampling end and a small detection end. By placing the sampling end on one side of the area to be detected and arranging the detection ends of all targets sequentially on the area to be detected, the area occupied by a single target on the area to be detected is effectively reduced. By moving the sample target groove, the detection ends located on the area to be detected are sequentially entered into the mass spectrometer detection position for sample detection. Thus, without changing the amount of sampling within a single target, the number of target points that can be set on the area to be detected is increased, effectively reducing the cost of single sample detection. Attached Figure Description
[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.
[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer provided in an embodiment of the present invention.
[0020] in:
[0021] 100-Sample plate, 110-Target point, 111-Sampling end, 112-Detection end, 120-Detection area, 130-First positioning hole, 140-Second positioning hole, 150-Identification code, 160-Encoding area, 170-Barcode area, 180-First sampling area, 190-Second sampling area. Detailed Implementation
[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.
[0023] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the present invention, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.
[0024] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "inner" and "outer", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the position or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations of this utility model.
[0025] The purpose of this invention is to provide a sample plate suitable for mass spectrometers, which can increase the number of target points that can be set on the detection area without changing the amount of sample spotting within a single target point, thereby effectively reducing the cost of single sample detection.
[0026] Please see Figure 1To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a sample plate 100 suitable for a mass spectrometer, which is used to be installed in conjunction with the sample target slot of the mass spectrometer. The sample plate 100 includes a plurality of target points 110, which are used to carry samples. Each target point 110 includes a larger spotting end 111 and a smaller detection end 112. The spotting end 111 is used for spotting the sample and is located on one side of the detection area 120. The detection ends 112 of all target points 110 are arranged sequentially on the detection area 120, so that as the sample target slot moves, the detection ends 112 located on the detection area 120 sequentially enter the detection position of the mass spectrometer for sample detection.
[0027] It is understandable that only a small portion of the sample within the target point 110 needs to enter the mass spectrometer detection position for sample detection as the sample plate 100 moves with the sample target groove. All areas on the sample plate 100 used to enter the mass spectrometer detection position under the movement of the sample target groove are the detection area 120. That is, the detection area 120 is related to the mass spectrometer detection position and the movement direction of the sample target groove. With the mass spectrometer detection position and the movement direction of the sample target groove fixed, the position of the detection area 120 on the sample plate 100 is also fixed. By setting the detection end 112 on the target point 110 on the detection area 120 of the sample plate 100, and setting the detection end 112 on different target points 110 in sequence, the detection end 112 can be moved into the mass spectrometer detection position for sample detection by the movement of the sample target groove.
[0028] It should be noted that, due to the limited precision of the pipette pump, it cannot transfer liquid samples with a volume of less than 1 μL. The target point 110 needs to have a sufficient area to accommodate the liquid sample. When the area of the target point 110 is small, it cannot fully accommodate the corresponding liquid sample, which will easily lead to cross-contamination of liquid samples in different target points 110. When the area of the spotting end 111 of the target point 110 is small, it is not conducive to spotting the liquid sample. Therefore, on the basis that the area of the target point 110 is sufficient, the spotting end 111 of the target point 110 needs to have a certain area to facilitate spotting.
[0029] The target point 110 includes a larger spotting end 111 and a smaller detection end 112. By placing the spotting end 111 on one side of the detection area 120 and arranging the detection ends 112 of all target points 110 sequentially on the detection area 120, the area occupied by a single target point 110 on the detection area 120 is effectively reduced. By moving the sample target slot, the detection ends 112 located on the detection area 120 sequentially enter the mass spectrometer detection position for sample detection. Thus, without changing the spotting amount in a single target point 110, the number of target points 110 that can be set on the detection area 120 is increased, effectively reducing the cost of single sample detection.
[0030] In one possible implementation, the target point 110 adopts an irregular structure, comprising a first end with a larger area and a second end with a smaller area, which are connected. By placing the sampling end 111 at the larger first end and the detection end 112 at the smaller second end, the sampling end 111 and the detection end 112 of the same target point 110 are connected, allowing the sample to flow along the sampling end 111 to the detection end 112. This facilitates sampling while effectively reducing the area occupied by a single target point 110 in the detection area 120. The irregular structure can be, but is not limited to, teardrop or triangular shapes; the shape of the irregular structure can be adjusted according to actual conditions to achieve the above objectives.
[0031] In one possible implementation, the detection area 120 extends in a straight line. By setting the extension direction of the detection area 120 to a straight line, more target points 110 can be arranged in a single direction, thereby increasing the detection throughput and reducing the cost of single sample detection. Simultaneously, the sample plate 100 can move in only one direction, enabling the detection of samples located within the detection end 112 of all target points 110 on the sample plate 100. Compared to the prior art where the sample plate 100 needs to move in multiple directions, this significantly reduces the space occupied, thereby increasing the vacuuming speed and effectively... To reduce the difficulty of creating a high vacuum environment, the area to be tested 120 has a first side and a second side on the surface of the sample plate 100 where the target points 110 are located. At least some of the spotting ends 111 are located on the first side of the area to be tested 120, and at least some of the spotting ends 111 are located on the second side of the area to be tested 120. This is so that the spotting ends 111 of the target points 110 are distributed on both the first and second sides of the area to be tested 120, thus avoiding the phenomenon that the target points 110 are too crowded when all the spotting ends 111 of the target points 110 are located on the same side of the area to be tested 120.
[0032] The first sampling area 180 is formed by all the sampling ends 111 located on the first side of the area to be tested 120, and the second sampling area 190 is formed by all the sampling ends 111 located on the second side of the area to be tested 120. The first sampling area 180 and the second sampling area 190 are located on both sides of the area to be tested 120, which makes it convenient for the staff to sample the sampling ends 111 in the first sampling area 180 first, and then sample the sampling ends 111 in the second sampling area 190. The sampling order in the first sampling area 180 can be carried out sequentially along the extension direction of the area to be tested 120, and the sampling order in the second sampling area 190 can also be carried out sequentially along the extension direction of the area to be tested 120.
[0033] In one possible implementation, the target points 110 are staggered along the detection area 120, such that two sampling ends 111 of adjacent target points 110 are located on different sides of the detection area 120. That is, when one of the two sampling ends 111 of adjacent target points 110 is located in the first sampling area 180, the other of the two sampling ends 111 of adjacent target points 110 is located in the second sampling area 190. In this way, even when the target points 110 are closely arranged, the detection area of the same length can accommodate as many sampling ends 111 as possible, thereby increasing the detection throughput while maintaining the same detection area length. Furthermore, the staggered arrangement allows for a larger interval between two adjacent sampling ends 111 in the first sampling area 180 and between two adjacent sampling ends 111 in the second sampling area 190, effectively improving the phenomenon that adjacent sampling ends 111 on the same side of the detection area 120 are too close together to be easily sampled.
[0034] In one possible implementation, the inner part of the target point 110 is a hydrophilic layer for the sample to accumulate within the target point 110; the outer part of the target point 110 is a hydrophobic layer for restricting the sample located within the target point 110 from moving to the outer part of the target point 110, thereby effectively improving the phenomenon of sample droplets overflowing from the target point 110. When a sample droplet partially contacts the outer part of the target point 110, it returns to the sample point under the hydrophobic effect of the hydrophobic layer.
[0035] In one possible implementation, the target point 110 is a shallow groove structure. The shallow groove structure provides a barrier for the sample droplets. That is, the groove wall of the shallow groove structure can effectively block the free flow and diffusion of liquid outside the shallow groove structure, so that the sample droplets cannot spread beyond the boundary of the shallow groove structure. Compared with not setting the target point 110 as a shallow groove structure, it helps to confine the sample droplets to a smaller area and effectively prevent the sample liquid from flowing out. At the same time, the shallow groove structure can effectively increase the capacity of the target point 110 to hold the sample liquid. When the target point 110 needs to hold the same amount of sample liquid, the area of the target point 110 can be reduced by setting the shallow groove structure, so that more target points 110 can be arranged on the sample plate 100.
[0036] In one possible implementation, the sample plate 100 is further provided with positioning holes, including a first positioning hole 130 and a second positioning hole 140 spaced apart. The first positioning hole 130 is used to engage with a first positioning element of the sample target slot, and the second positioning hole 140 is used to engage with a second positioning element of the sample target slot, for positioning the sample plate 100 on the sample target slot. After the sample plate 100 is installed in conjunction with the sample target slot of the mass spectrometer, the sample target slot needs to move the sample plate 100 so that the detection end 112 located in the detection area 120 sequentially enters the detection position of the mass spectrometer for sample detection. To ensure the accurate positioning of the sample plate 100, it is necessary to fix the sample plate 100 relative to the sample target slot so that the position of the sample plate 100 is determined by the position of the sample target slot.
[0037] The first positioning hole 130 can be a round hole, and the first positioning element can be a cone. The tip of the cone can easily penetrate into the first positioning hole 130, improving the efficiency of the first positioning element penetrating into the first positioning hole 130. The bottom of the cone can fit tightly against the inner wall of the round hole, realizing the positioning of the first positioning element in the first positioning hole 130. The second positioning hole 140 can be, but is not limited to, a round hole, a square hole, an oblong hole, or a strip hole. The second positioning element can be inserted into the second positioning hole 140 to restrict the sample plate 100 from rotating around the axis of the first positioning hole 130, thereby fixing the sample plate 100 relative to the sample target groove.
[0038] In one possible implementation, the sample plate 100 is further provided with a position identification code 150, which corresponds one-to-one with the target point 110 and is used to mark the position of the target point 110. The position identification code 150 can be set on the side of the target point 110 where the sampling end 111 faces away from the detection end 112, so that the position identification code 150 can be set relatively large for easy observation by the sampling personnel. The position identification code 150 can be sequentially marked as 1, 2, 3...N-1, N according to the position of the target point 110. For further identification of the sample being tested, it can be... A smaller position identifier 150 is added to the side of the detection end 112 in the target point 110 away from the sample spotting end 111. Similarly, the position of the target point 110 can be sequentially marked as 1, 2, 3...N-1, N, so that the camera can automatically inject the sample after recognizing the position identifier 150. The sample plate 100 is also provided with an encoding area 160 and a barcode area 170. The encoding area 160 and the barcode area 170 are used to mark the number of the sample plate 100. The encoding area 160 and the barcode area 170 are used for identification and scanning by the identification device, respectively, to distinguish different sample plates 100.
[0039] It should be noted that in this specification, relational terms such as first and second are used only to distinguish one entity from several other entities, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities.
[0040] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on the differences from other embodiments. The same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other.
[0041] This article uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this utility model. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and modifications can be made to this utility model without departing from the principles of this utility model, and these improvements and modifications also fall within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer, for mounting in conjunction with the sample target groove of the mass spectrometer, characterized in that, The sample plate (100) includes a plurality of target points (110), the target points (110) are used to carry the sample, the target points (110) include a larger spotting end (111) and a smaller detection end (112), the spotting end (111) is used for spotting the sample, the spotting end (111) is located on one side of the area to be detected (120), and the detection ends (112) of all the target points (110) are arranged sequentially on the area to be detected (120), so that as the sample target groove moves, the detection ends (112) located on the area to be detected (120) can sequentially enter the detection position of the mass spectrometer for sample detection.
2. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The sampling end (111) and the detection end (112) in the same target point (110) are connected to allow the sample to flow along the sampling end (111) to the detection end (112).
3. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to claim 1, characterized in that, The detection area (120) extends in a straight line. The detection area (120) has a first side and a second side on the surface of the sample plate (100) where the target point (110) is located. At least a portion of the spotting end (111) is located on the first side of the detection area (120), and at least a portion of the spotting end (111) is located on the second side of the detection area (120).
4. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to claim 3, characterized in that, The target points (110) are staggered on the area to be detected (120) such that the two sample ends (111) of adjacent target points (110) are located on different sides of the area to be detected (120).
5. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The target point (110) contains a hydrophilic layer for the sample to accumulate within the target point (110).
6. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The target point (110) is surrounded by a hydrophobic layer, which is used to restrict the movement of the sample located inside the target point (110) to outside the target point (110).
7. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The target point (110) has a shallow groove structure.
8. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The sample plate (100) is also provided with positioning holes, including a first positioning hole (130) and a second positioning hole (140) spaced apart. The first positioning hole (130) is used to cooperate with the first positioning member of the sample target groove, and the second positioning hole (140) is used to cooperate with the second positioning member of the sample target groove for positioning the sample plate (100) on the sample target groove.
9. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The sample plate (100) is also provided with a position identification code (150), which corresponds one-to-one with the target point (110) and is used to mark the position of the target point (110).
10. The sample plate suitable for a mass spectrometer according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The sample plate (100) is also provided with an encoding area (160) and a barcode area (170), the encoding area (160) and the barcode area (170) being used to mark the number of the sample plate (100).