Porous Sample Support Structure for Cleaner Ionization Analysis
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sample supports for biological analysis require improvements in accuracy due to issues with sample retention and foreign matter interference during ionization.
Innovation Solution
A sample support with a porous substrate featuring a measurement region and an occluded region, where the occluded region has lower porosity than the measurement region, designed to minimize foreign matter entry and enhance sample retention for accurate ionization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the porous substrate has high porosity to retain samples, then sample retention is improved, but foreign matter can easily enter and cause noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different porosity regions within the same porous substrate: the measurement region maintains high porosity for effective sample retention, while the occluded region has reduced porosity to prevent foreign matter entry. This spatial differentiation of porosity properties resolves the contradiction between sample retention and foreign matter rejection.
Solution Approach 2:
The porous substrate is segmented into functionally distinct regions: a measurement region with higher porosity optimized for sample retention and ionization, and an occluded region with lower porosity acting as a barrier to foreign matter. This segmentation allows each region to independently optimize its function without compromising the other.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the occluded region has low porosity to block foreign matter, then noise from foreign matter is reduced, but sample diffusion into the substrate is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement region maintains high porosity to ensure adequate sample diffusion and retention, while the occluded region positioned outside the measurement region has low porosity to block foreign matter. This local quality differentiation ensures that sample diffusion occurs in the high-porosity measurement region without being impeded by the low-porosity occluded region.
3Measurement precision
If the porous substrate structure is complex to achieve region differentiation, then analysis accuracy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves region differentiation by changing the porosity parameter spatially within the substrate. The measurement region has porosity in a first range optimized for sample retention, while the occluded region has porosity in a second, lower range for foreign matter blocking. This parameter change approach creates functional regions without requiring complex structural designs.
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
The design ensures high analysis accuracy by reducing noise from foreign matter interference and maintaining sample retention, while also enhancing substrate rigidity and ease of handling.
Implementation Method 1
the porous substrate includes a measurement region including a part of the first surface and an occluded region positioned outside the measurement region as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface, and a porosity of the occluded region is smaller than a porosity of the measurement region
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A sample support is used for ionizing a sample. The sample support includes a porous substrate that includes a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and voids irregularly distributed and opened to at least the first surface. The porous substrate includes a measurement region including a part of the first surface and an occluded region positioned outside the measurement region as viewed from a direction perpendicular to the first surface. A porosity of the occluded region is smaller than a porosity of the measurement region.