Mass Spectrometry Sample Support for Position-Preserving Ionization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ionization methods, such as SALDI, face challenges in maintaining the positional information of samples during ionization, leading to difficulties in imaging mass spectrometry and accurately measuring the two-dimensional distribution of molecules.
Innovation Solution
A mass spectrometry device and method utilizing a sample support with through-holes, where the sample is moved from one surface to another via a capillary phenomenon, allowing for precise ionization and detection while maintaining positional information, and optionally using a conductive layer for improved conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-generated harmful factors
If SALDI is used to ionize the sample without matrix, then background noise is reduced, but positional information of the sample is lost due to positional deviation during dropping or transfer
Solution Approach 1:
A substrate with through-holes serves as an intermediary between the sample and the ionization process. The substrate receives the sample through capillary action in a controlled manner, preventing positional deviation while enabling matrix-free ionization. This intermediary structure maintains the spatial relationship between sample positions and their corresponding molecular distributions.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual or mechanical process of dropping or transferring samples is replaced by a capillary-driven self-assembly process. The capillary forces automatically draw the sample through the through-holes to the other surface, eliminating the need for mechanical manipulation that causes positional deviation.
2Ease of operation
If the sample is dropped onto the substrate, then the ionization process is simplified, but the two-dimensional distribution of molecules cannot be maintained due to positional deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate with through-holes acts as a mediator that receives the sample and guides it to the ionization surface while preserving spatial information. The through-hole structure provides a defined pathway that maintains the two-dimensional distribution pattern during the sample transfer process.
Solution Approach 2:
The substrate performs the sample transfer function automatically through capillary action without requiring external mechanical intervention. The sample self-organizes into the through-holes and is transported to the other surface, maintaining its spatial distribution pattern throughout the process.
3Reliability
If a conductive layer is added to the substrate, then ionization efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical conductivity parameter of the substrate is modified by adding a conductive layer. This parameter change enables more efficient charge transfer during ionization, improving ionization efficiency without fundamentally altering the basic substrate structure or operation principle.
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 high-image resolution in imaging mass spectrometry by maintaining sample positional information and reducing noise from matrix-derived background signals, allowing for accurate two-dimensional distribution mapping of sample molecules.
Implementation Method 1
a sample support having a substrate in which a plurality of through-holes are provided, and moves the sample from the other surface to the one surface via a capillary phenomenon
Implementation Method 2
a laser beam application unit, which applies the laser beam to an imaging target region on the one surface
Data Source
Figure 1~1(c)
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A mass spectrometry device (200) according to one aspect of the invention includes: a sample stage (1) on which a sample (10) is placed and on which a sample support (2) having a substrate (21), in which a plurality of through-holes (S) passing from one surface (21a) thereof to the other surface (21b) thereof are provided, and a conductive layer (23), which covers at least a portion of the one surface (21a) which is not provided with the through-holes (S), is placed such that the other surface (21b) faces the sample (10); a laser beam application unit (201) that controls application of a laser beam (L) such that the laser beam (L) is applied to an imaging target region (R1) on the one surface (21a); and a detector (203) that detects the sample (10) ionized by the application of the laser beam (L) in a state where a positional relation of the sample (10) in the imaging target region (R1) is maintained.