Organic Sample Elemental Imaging via Oxidative Matrix Removal
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current imaging mass spectrometry techniques face challenges in spatially resolved analysis of biological samples due to low abundance of inorganic elements, which leads to dominant matrix peaks and contamination issues, limiting acquisition speed and increasing costs in clinical applications.
Innovation Solution
A method involving controlled oxidation of tissue samples to remove organic matrix while preserving inorganic elements, allowing for pre-concentration and subsequent imaging using elemental analyzers, which reduces contamination and enhances acquisition speed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If mass spectrometry techniques are used for spatially resolved analysis, then multiplexed measurement of elements is achieved, but matrix peaks dominate and low abundance elements cannot be detected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation treatment to the sample before mass spectrometry analysis. This pre-treatment step converts organic matrix components into volatile oxides that can be removed, thereby reducing matrix interference before the actual elemental detection occurs. The oxidation step is performed in advance to prepare the sample in a state where low abundance elements can be detected without being overwhelmed by matrix peaks.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical state of the sample by applying oxidation treatment, which transforms organic compounds into oxidized forms. This parameter change (chemical oxidation) modifies the sample composition to reduce the abundance of organic matrix components that cause interfering peaks, while preserving the inorganic elements of interest for subsequent detection.
2Measurement precision
If ICP MS with laser ablation is used for elemental imaging, then polyatomic interference is minimized, but acquisition speed is limited by sample plume spreading
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation to remove organic matrix components before analysis. This pre-treatment reduces the amount of organic material that would otherwise form aerosols and contaminate transfer lines, thereby enabling faster acquisition without the contamination issues that currently limit speed improvements in LA/ICP-MS imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes the organic matrix components through oxidation treatment before the actual elemental analysis. By taking out the interfering organic material in advance, the method enables faster analysis speeds without the contamination and carryover problems that currently constrain acquisition rate improvements.
3Reliability
If atmospheric pressure transport is used in ICP MS, then ICP operation is maintained, but sample plume spreading causes signal temporal spreading and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary oxidation treatment to convert organic matrix components into volatile oxides that are removed before analysis. This pre-treatment reduces organic aerosol formation during the transport process, thereby minimizing carryover and contamination while maintaining atmospheric pressure ICP operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition of the sample by applying oxidation, which transforms organic compounds into oxidized forms that are less prone to forming aerosols during atmospheric pressure transport. This parameter change reduces the harmful aerosol formation and carryover effects while maintaining reliable ICP operation.
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
This approach enables rapid and efficient elemental imaging with reduced contamination, increasing throughput and cost-effectiveness by concentrating analyte elements and minimizing matrix interference.
Implementation Method 1
reacting the sample on the substrate to produce one or more volatile products that leave the sample... wherein a majority of the sample layer by weight is removed from the substrate by the reaction
Data Source
AI summary
A method of imaging analyte elements in an organic sample includes providing the sample as a layer on a substrate and reacting the sample on the substrate to produce one or more volatile products that leave the sample while the one or more elements remain in the sample. A majority of the sample layer by weight is removed from the substrate by the reaction and the remaining sample layer is enriched in the one or more elements which are not spatially disturbed by the reaction. The method including subsequently detecting the one or more elements in the concentrated sample layer using an imaging elemental analyzer.