Grazing Angle Illumination for MALDI Sample Plate Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ion source sample plate imaging systems fail to provide detailed images of analyte crystals, especially for low volume samples with low analyte concentration or those on textured surfaces, and are not suitable for remote imaging.
Innovation Solution
An imaging workstation comprising a CCD or CMOS camera and an illumination device that produces a light beam at a grazing angle to illuminate and capture images of the entire sample plate surface, allowing for remote imaging and distinguishing sample-containing areas from non-sample areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional imaging systems are used to image sample plates, then the imaging can be performed, but the image detail and clarity are insufficient, especially for low volume samples with low analyte concentration or samples on textured surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The illumination device directs light at a grazing angle (shallow angle) relative to the sample plate surface, creating localized variations in light reflection and scattering that enhance the visibility of sample-containing areas. This selective illumination approach highlights specific regions (sample areas) while suppressing others (empty areas), thereby improving image contrast and detection capability without requiring complex imaging hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from conventional top-down or perpendicular illumination to grazing-angle illumination, effectively changing the dimensional approach of light interaction with the sample plate. This angular dimension change creates enhanced contrast by exploiting the different optical properties of sample-containing versus empty areas when viewed from the side, enabling better differentiation of sample regions
2Measurement precision
If the imaging device is positioned close to the ion source, then detailed imaging is possible, but the system complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device is extracted from the immediate vicinity of the ion source and positioned at a remote location. The grazing-angle illumination system enables high-quality imaging from this distant position, effectively separating the imaging function from the ionization function. This reduces system complexity by allowing independent optimization of the ion source and imaging system, while maintaining detailed imaging capability through the specialized illumination geometry
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
Enables clear imaging of sample plates before ionization, facilitating precise positioning of ionizing radiation and improving the identification of low volume or low concentration samples, particularly in matrix-based ion sources like MALDI.
Implementation Method 1
an illumination device that is configured to produce a light beam that contacts the sample plate surface to define a grazing angle between the light beam and the sample plate surface
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides an apparatus for producing an image of a global surface of an ion source sample plate that is exterior to an ion source. In general terms, the apparatus contains a sample plate for an ion source, an imaging device (e.g., a CCD or CMOS camera) and an illumination device that is configured to produce a light beam that contacts the sample plate surface to define a grazing angle between the light beam and the sample plate surface. The apparatus may be present at a location that is remote to the ion source.