Heated DESI Spray for Spatial Resolution and Ion Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Desorption Electrospray Ionization (DESI) devices have limited spatial resolution and ion signal degradation when setup parameters are changed, making it difficult to enhance analytical and operating capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A heated DESI spray is used to thermally control analyte desorption at a target locus on a sample, which can be achieved by heating the nebulizing gas, the device itself, or the liquid provided to the DESI spray assembly, to control spot size, enhance spot resolution, and affect surface energy thresholds for improved analyte detection and signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a basic DESI ion source is used, then the device simplicity is maintained, but the spatial resolution is limited and ion signal degrades when parameters are changed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by heating the DESI spray to elevated temperatures (e.g., 50-150°C) to modify droplet evaporation rates, impact dynamics, and analyte desorption efficiency. This thermal parameter adjustment enhances spatial resolution and ion signal without fundamentally changing the device structure, thereby resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-heating the DESI spray before it impacts the sample surface. This preliminary thermal treatment modifies the spray characteristics (droplet size, velocity, energy) in advance, enabling improved spatial resolution and signal stability without requiring complex post-processing or additional analytical components
2Measurement precision
If the DESI spray parameters are changed to improve analyte detection, then the ion signal quality may improve, but the setup parameter stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback control by monitoring ion signal quality and adjusting the heating temperature accordingly. This closed-loop approach maintains optimal detection conditions while compensating for parameter drift, thereby improving ion signal quality without sacrificing long-term parameter stability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses controlled parameter changes by systematically varying temperature to optimize ion signal quality. By establishing temperature-signal relationships, the method enables reproducible optimization while maintaining operational stability through defined parameter ranges and control protocols
3Measurement precision
If the spray is heated to reduce spot size, then the spatial resolution improves, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by using moderate heating temperatures (50-150°C) rather than extreme heating, achieving spot size reduction and improved spatial resolution while limiting energy consumption to practical levels. This optimized parameter range balances measurement precision with energy efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by applying just sufficient heating to achieve the desired spot size reduction and resolution improvement, without excessive energy input. This controlled partial heating approach optimizes the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption
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 heated DESI spray reduces spot size, improves spatial resolution, and enhances ion signal levels by altering impact dynamics and volatilization, allowing for more precise and effective analysis of samples.
Implementation Method 1
Heating may be applied at a level to reduce size of primary droplets, to reduce the effective area of the spray impinging on a sample surface, to alter the impact dynamics or increase energy delivered by the spray to the surface or enhance volatilization of a target analyte
Implementation Method 2
Heating may be applied at a level to reduce size of primary droplets, to reduce the effective area of the spray impinging on a sample surface, to alter the impact dynamics or increase energy delivered by the spray to the surface or enhance volatilization of a target analyte
Data Source
AI summary
A heated DESI spray device provides improved resolution or control of analyte desorption at a target locus on a sample. Heating controls spot size and enhances resolution in an imaging mode without impairing signal level. Additionally or alternatively the heated DESI spray may control desorption kinetics of a target analyte or otherwise control analyte discrimination in detection mode. One embodiment of the DESI spray is heated by heating nebulizing gas that accompanies the electrosprayed solvent. Another embodiment heats a separate gas stream that transports or directs desorbed material to the ion aperture of an analysis instrument. Heating may reduce size of primary droplets, alter the impact dynamics or the energy delivered by the spray to the surface, reduce size of secondary droplets and/or assure desolvation, improve species selectivity or otherwise affect sampling and enhance the ion signal level.