Ion Imaging Data Directed Storage for Mass Spectral Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ion imaging methods generate large volumes of mass spectral data, including non-relevant information, leading to long processing times and data transfer delays, as they acquire data across entire samples without discarding or downgrading irrelevant data during acquisition.
Innovation Solution
A method that scans a sample at a constant spatial resolution, determining whether mass spectral data from each pixel location meets specific conditions such as intensity or mass-to-charge ratio thresholds, discarding or downgrading data that does not meet these conditions to reduce data volume and focus on relevant information only.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mass spectral data is acquired across the entire sample surface at high spatial resolution, then imaging quality and detail are improved, but data volume and processing time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and retains only the relevant mass spectral data that satisfies predefined conditions (such as containing ions of interest above threshold intensity) while discarding irrelevant data. This selective extraction maintains measurement precision for relevant features while dramatically reducing the quantity of stored data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality standards to different regions of the data by evaluating each pixel location independently against predefined conditions. Only local regions containing relevant ions are retained at full resolution, while other regions are discarded, creating a non-uniform data retention strategy that optimizes both quality and data volume.
2Loss of information
If all mass spectral data is retained for comprehensive analysis, then data completeness is improved, but processing time and storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of mass spectral data during the acquisition phase itself, determining whether each pixel satisfies predefined conditions before completing full data storage. This preliminary action prevents unnecessary data from being stored in the first place, reducing both storage requirements and subsequent processing time while maintaining completeness of relevant information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent systematically discards mass spectral data that does not meet predefined relevance criteria during acquisition. By discarding irrelevant data early and recovering only the essential information, the system reduces processing time and storage requirements while preserving data completeness for relevant features.
3Area of stationary object
If data acquisition continues across the entire sample regardless of relevance, then coverage is improved, but efficiency and resource utilization deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic decision-making into the data acquisition process by continuously evaluating each pixel against predefined conditions during scanning. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively adjust data retention decisions based on real-time analysis of ion content, optimizing both coverage and efficiency by avoiding storage of irrelevant data from any sample region.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising scanning a sample and acquiring first mass spectral data related to a first pixel location at a first spatial resolution and determining whether or not the first mass spectral data satisfies a condition. If it is determined that the first mass spectral data does satisfy the condition then the first mass spectral data is stored, recorded or prioritized. If it is determined that the first mass spectral data does not satisfy the condition then the first mass spectral data is discarded or downgraded. Scanning of the sample then continues at the first spatial resolution and further mass spectral data related to further pixel locations is acquired.