Matrix-Assisted Spot Preparation for Liquid Extractive Sampling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface sampling techniques face challenges in efficiently and reproducibly reconstituting analytes from surfaces, particularly when they crystallize or agglomerate, making direct analysis analytically viable.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a matrix material in excess to prevent analyte-analyte interactions, allowing for the use of electrospray surface sampling and other techniques like atmospheric pressure chemical ionization, to maintain analytes in a soluble form for processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional laser desorption techniques are used to analyze surfaces, then micron-level chemical composition analysis is achieved, but analytes present at the surface cannot be efficiently desorbed and ionized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a matrix material as an intermediary substance that facilitates the interaction between the laser and the analyte. The matrix absorbs laser energy and transfers it to the analyte, enabling efficient desorption and ionization while preserving the analyte's chemical integrity for precise composition analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent modifies the physical and chemical parameters of the sample by incorporating matrix material that changes the energy absorption characteristics. This parameter change enables the laser to effectively desorb and ionize analytes that would otherwise be resistant to conventional laser desorption techniques.
2Ease of manufacture
If dried sample spots are prepared on planar media for storage and analysis, then sample storage and shipping are simplified, but analytes crystallize or agglomerate making reconstitution difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix material serves as an intermediary that prevents direct analyte-analyte interactions during drying. By embedding analytes within the matrix structure, the patent prevents crystallization and agglomeration, allowing simple dried spot preparation while maintaining easy reconstitution through matrix dissolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite material system consisting of matrix and analyte components. This composite structure prevents phase separation and crystallization that would occur with pure analyte drying, while the matrix component provides solubility for easy reconstitution of the analyte.
3Ease of operation
If matrix material is incorporated to prevent analyte-analyte interactions, then analyte solubility and reconstitution are improved, but sample preparation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the matrix-to-analyte ratio and selects matrix materials with specific solubility characteristics to enhance reconstitution efficiency. By carefully controlling these parameters, the patent achieves effective analyte dissolution without requiring overly complex preparation procedures.
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 and reproducible reconstitution of analytes, preventing agglomeration and self-crystallization, thereby facilitating efficient analysis through molecular dispersion and utilization of liquid microjunction surface sampling probes.
Implementation Method 1
The matrix absorbs the laser light energy and causes a small part of the target substrate to vaporize
Implementation Method 2
The vaporized and ionized molecules are transferred electrostatically into a mass spectrometer
Implementation Method 3
Liquid introduced into the tube or capillary is dispersed and emitted as fine electrically charged droplets (plume) by the applied electrical field
Implementation Method 4
a small tube or capillary which is maintained at a high voltage, in absolute value terms, with respect to a nearby surface
Implementation Method 5
Enables rapid and reproducible reconstitution of analytes, preventing agglomeration and self-crystallization, thereby facilitating efficient analysis through molecular dispersion
Data Source
AI summary
A method for performing surface sampling of an analyte, includes the step of placing the analyte on a stage with a material in molar excess to the analyte, such that analyte-analyte interactions are prevented and the analyte can be solubilized for further analysis. The material can be a matrix material that is mixed with the analyte. The material can be provided on a sample support. The analyte can then be contacted with a solvent to extract the analyte for further processing, such as by electrospray mass spectrometry.