Conductive Polymer Coating for Low-Noise Multiplex Ion Beam Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Multiplex Ion Beam Imaging (MIBI) methods face challenges with charge accumulation and inconsistent signal due to sample density variations, particularly in porous and dense tissues, which can be exacerbated by the use of metal coatings intended to address these issues.
Innovation Solution
The application of a conductive organic polymer layer, such as poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS), on the substrate or directly on the sample, which reduces charge accumulation, improves signal uniformity, and decreases background noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal layer (e.g., gold) is sputter coated on the substrate to prevent charge accumulation, then charge accumulation is reduced, but total ion counts and background increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from metal (gold) to conductive organic polymer (PEDOT:PSS), which has different electrical and optical properties. The polymer provides comparable electrical conductivity for charge dissipation but with lower atomic number, reducing secondary ion background while maintaining charge accumulation prevention
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive polymer coating is applied as a thin, disposable layer that can be easily deposited and removed. It serves its function of preventing charge accumulation during analysis and can be discarded with the sample slide, eliminating the need for expensive metal coatings and complex removal procedures
2Object-generated harmful factors
If no metal coating is applied to porous samples, then background is reduced, but charge accumulation occurs leading to inconsistent signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coating material from metal to conductive polymer, which provides the necessary electrical conductivity parameter to prevent charge accumulation in porous samples without introducing the high atomic number background interference that metals create
3Reliability
If a metal layer is applied to dense samples, then charge accumulation is reduced, but total ion counts and background increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the coating material from metal to conductive polymer, reducing the quantity of secondary ions generated while maintaining electrical conductivity. The polymer's lower atomic number results in fewer secondary ions being sputtered, thus reducing total ion counts while still preventing charge accumulation
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
The use of conductive organic polymers enhances the detection of biological analytes by reducing background noise and improving signal consistency across different tissue types, thereby improving the overall quality of MIBI images.
Implementation Method 1
The layer of conductive polymer reduces charge accumulation
Implementation Method 2
scanning a mass-tagged sample with a primary ion beam and detecting the sputtered elements (which are often referred to as 'secondary ions')
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein is a combination comprising: an optically transparent substrate, a sample that comprises biological analytes, and a layer of a conductive organic polymer. In this combination, the layer of polymer may be between the sample and the substrate, the layer of polymer may coat the section on the opposite side to the substrate, or both. The method comprises a liquid composition, wherein the composition comprises PEDOT, PSS, DMS02 and an organic solvent or polyaniline (emeraldine salt), DMS02 and an organic solvent; and wherein the applying comprises spraying, spin coating or spreading a composition comprising a solvent and the polymer on the surface of the substrate and then removing the solvent by evaporation. Methods of analyzing the sample in this combination are also provided.