In Vivo Laser Ablation Mass Spectrometry Device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current diagnostic techniques lack the ability to provide real-time molecular information in vivo, especially for pathologies like cancer, due to invasiveness, contamination risks, and the need for complex statistical processing, which hinders quick and accurate decision-making during surgical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A device combining a laser for ablation with a mass spectrometer, utilizing a transfer tube to analyze biological material in real-time, allowing for the analysis of charged and uncharged particles without the need for solvents or electric fields, enabling miniaturized, non-invasive in vivo analysis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tissue excision (biopsy) and ex vivo analysis are performed to obtain molecular information, then diagnostic accuracy is improved, but time consumption and patient harm increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical tissue excision and ex vivo processing with a laser-based ablation system that vaporizes tissue directly in vivo. The laser energy converts biological tissue into gas-phase molecules that are immediately analyzed by mass spectrometry, eliminating the need for physical biopsy removal and laboratory processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a mass spectrometer as an intermediary device that can be positioned near the surgical site to directly analyze vaporized tissue molecules in real-time. This intermediary system bridges the gap between in vivo tissue and diagnostic information, providing immediate molecular characterization without requiring physical sample transport to a laboratory.
2Loss of information
If spectroscopic techniques (Raman, IR, fluorescence) are used for in-vivo molecular analysis, then molecular information is obtained, but complexity of signal processing and need for tracers increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical state parameter of tissue from solid/liquid to gas phase through laser ablation. This parameter change transforms complex overlapping spectral signals into discrete mass-to-charge ratio signals that are inherently separated and easier to interpret, eliminating the need for complex statistical processing of spectroscopic data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential diagnostic information by measuring mass-to-charge ratios of individual molecules. Unlike spectroscopy that captures complex superimposed signals from all molecules, this method isolates and measures specific molecular species based on their unique mass signatures, providing clearer molecular identification without tracer requirements.
3Measurement precision
If conventional mass spectrometry with solvent jets is used for in-vivo analysis, then molecular characterization is achieved, but contamination and invasiveness increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the solvent jet component from the mass spectrometry system, extracting only the essential function of molecular ionization and detection. By using direct laser ablation to generate gas-phase molecules, the system eliminates the need for solvent-mediated ionization, thereby removing the source of chemical contamination and reducing invasiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The laser ablation process itself serves the dual function of both sampling and ionization. The laser energy directly converts tissue molecules into detectable gas-phase ions without requiring external solvents or complex sample preparation, making the system self-sufficient and minimizing external contaminants.
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 rapid, non-invasive, and real-time molecular analysis of biological tissues, reducing contamination risks and providing immediate diagnostic information, facilitating quicker surgical decisions and treatments.
Implementation Method 1
a laser, possibly assisted by an optical parametric oscillator, configured to emit a wavelength between 2.5 μm and 12 μm, said laser thus configured being intended to ablate said biological material by ejecting charged and/or uncharged particles
Implementation Method 2
the laser thus configured being intended to ablate said biological material
Implementation Method 3
mass spectrometry is a technique based on measuring the molecular weight of species. Conventionally, mass measurement is performed according to the following procedure: creation of gaseous ions from the sample (in vitro) by the instrument's ion source, separation of the ions formed according to the m/z ratio in the analyzer section, and then detection of the ionic current.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5(A)~5(B)
AI summary
The invention relates to a biological material molecular analysis device characterized in that it includes: - a laser (34) optionally using an optical parametric oscillator (OPO), configured to emit a wavelength between 2.5 ym and 12 put, said configured laser (34) being intended to ablate said biological material by ejecting charged and/or uncharged particles; - a mass spectrometer (31); and - a probe (S, 10) comprising at least one first analysis fiber (A, 14), connected to the laser (34), and a transfer tube (T, 21), connected to the mass spectrometer (31).