Capacitively Coupled REIMS with Transparent Counter Electrode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional rapid evaporation ionization mass spectrometry (REIMS) methods are inadequate for analyzing samples housed in containers, such as petri dishes, and require direct electrical contact, which is problematic for processing bacterial cultures or tissue sections on agar or glass slides.
Innovation Solution
A method involving an insulating substrate, where a first electrode contacts the substrate's bottom surface and a second electrode contacts the sample, applying AC or RF voltage to generate an aerosol through capacitive coupling, allowing for the analysis of samples in containers without direct contact and enabling simultaneous optical imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If direct electrical contact is used for REIMS analysis, then effective sample heating and aerosol generation are achieved, but sample contamination and inability to analyze samples in containers occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating substrate as an intermediary between the electrode and the sample. The substrate is optically transparent to allow optical imaging while being electrically insulating to prevent direct contact between the electrode and sample. This mediator enables RF energy to be applied to the sample through the substrate without causing contamination, resolving the contradiction between effective heating and contamination prevention.
2Use of energy by moving object
If direct electrical contact is used for REIMS analysis, then efficient energy transfer to the sample is achieved, but optical imaging capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating substrate has different properties for different functions: it is electrically insulating where it contacts the electrode to enable energy transfer, but optically transparent where light needs to pass through for imaging. This local differentiation of material properties allows the substrate to simultaneously support both RF energy transfer and optical imaging without compromise.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If samples are processed in containers like petri dishes, then sample containment and reduced contamination are achieved, but direct electrical contact for REIMS is prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The insulating substrate acts as a mediator that enables RF energy to pass through the container wall (petri dish) to reach the sample without requiring direct electrical contact. The substrate is placed in electrical contact with the electrode while the sample remains contained, allowing energy transfer while maintaining containment and preventing cross-contamination.
4Productivity
If bipolar electrosurgical forceps are used for sample scraping, then sample collection is achieved, but device complexity and cross-contamination risk increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sample collection function from the complex bipolar forceps mechanism and simplifies it to direct contact between the electrode (through the insulating substrate) and the sample. The insulating substrate enables energy transfer without requiring mechanical scraping or complex forceps structures, reducing device complexity while maintaining sample collection capability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables efficient analysis of biological samples in containers, reducing cross-contamination and heating effects, while allowing for simultaneous optical imaging and mass spectrometry, improving the identification of biological substances and spatial distribution of excreted substances.
Implementation Method 1
applying an AC or RF voltage to the first and second electrodes in order to generate an aerosol from the sample
Implementation Method 2
The RF voltage which is applied to the electrosurgical forceps has the result of rapidly heating the particular portion of the bacterial colony which is being analysed due to its nonzero impedance
Implementation Method 3
passing light or photons through the first (transparent) electrode and the (transparent) insulating substrate in order to illuminate, image or analyse the sample
Data Source
AI summary
A method of analysis is disclosed comprising providing a sample on an insulating substrate such as a petri dish 4 and contacting e.g. the rear surface of the insulating substrate with a first electrode 9. The method further comprises contacting the sample with a second electrode 2 and applying an AC or RF voltage to the first and second electrodes 9,2 in order to generate an aerosol from the sample.