Imaging Mass Spectrometry Processing for Overlapping M/Z Ranges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional imaging mass spectrometry data processing devices struggle to accurately distinguish and display the two-dimensional distribution of multiple compounds with overlapping mass-to-charge ratio ranges, leading to false determinations about compound presence and distribution.
Innovation Solution
An imaging mass spectrometry data processing device that includes an input setting unit for designating compounds or mass-to-charge ratios, a determination unit to detect overlaps in mass-to-charge ratio ranges, and an information provision unit to alert users and visually distinguish overlapping ranges, allowing for accurate image creation and display.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple compounds with overlapping mass-to-charge ratio ranges are designated for observation, then the user can observe the two-dimensional distribution of multiple compounds, but the mass-to-charge ratio ranges overlap causing false determinations about compound presence and distribution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the mass-to-charge ratio range into non-overlapping intervals by assigning different allowable widths to different compounds. For example, when compounds A and B have overlapping ranges, the system divides the overlapping region by setting a narrower allowable width for one compound, thereby separating their detection ranges and eliminating false determinations about their distributions.
2Quantity of substance
If the allowable width is increased to capture more signal, then the signal strength increases, but the mass-to-charge ratio range overlaps with other compounds causing measurement errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning different allowable widths to different compounds based on their specific characteristics and overlapping situations. For compounds with overlapping mass-to-charge ratio ranges, the system locally adjusts the allowable width to be narrower, while maintaining wider widths for compounds with no overlaps, thereby optimizing both signal capture and measurement precision for each specific compound.
Data Source
AI summary
After collecting mass spectrometry data for each of a large number of measurement points in the two-dimensional region on the sample with the imaging mass spectrometry unit, the user inputs the target compound whose two-dimensional distribution is desired to be observed from the input unit. The image display instruction reception unit obtains the m/z range for data integration from the precise m/z value and the allowable width of m/z for each target compound. The mass-to-charge ratio range overlap determination unit determines the presence or absence of overlap between the m/z ranges of a plurality of compounds, and if there is an overlap, the overlap determination result processing unit creates and displays on the screen of the display unit a list of compounds whose m/z ranges overlap, for example. This urges the user to review the compounds and allowable values.