Sample Support Body With Through-Holes for Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for mass spectrometry face a reduction in ionization efficiency due to sample overflow from measurement recesses, leading to reduced signal intensity and incomplete detection of sample components.
Innovation Solution
A sample support body with a substrate and an ionization substrate separated by a support, featuring through-holes on both surfaces and a conductive layer on the ionization substrate's surface, allowing excess sample to drain between the substrates and preventing overflow, while enabling continuous measurement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If sample is dropped on measurement recesses from above for continuous measurement, then continuous measurement is feasible, but sample may overflow from recesses causing unevenness effect loss and reduced ionization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The substrate is divided into multiple recesses (measurement regions), each capable of independently holding sample. This segmentation allows continuous measurement by moving to different recesses while preventing overflow in each individual recess, thus maintaining ionization efficiency across multiple measurement points.
Solution Approach 2:
A cover layer is introduced as an intermediary component between the sample and the external environment. This cover layer with through-holes controls sample distribution, allowing excess sample to be drained away while preventing overflow onto surrounding areas, thereby maintaining reliable ionization efficiency during continuous measurement.
2Quantity of substance
If dropped amount of sample in recesses is too much, then more sample is available for measurement, but sample overflows out of recesses causing unevenness effect loss and reduced ionization efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
Excess sample is extracted or removed from the measurement recesses through drainage paths formed by the cover layer structure. The through-holes in the cover layer allow excess sample to drain away from the recesses, preventing overflow while maintaining adequate sample quantity for reliable ionization measurement.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover layer functions as a porous structure with through-holes that control sample flow. This porous design allows selective passage of excess sample while retaining sufficient sample in the recesses for measurement, preventing overflow-induced unevenness effect loss and maintaining ionization efficiency.
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 configuration maintains ionization efficiency by preventing sample overflow and allowing continuous measurement, ensuring proper detection of sample components.
Implementation Method 1
even if an amount of the sample dropped on the second surface of the ionization substrate is more than a proper amount, an excess of the sample can be released to the gap between the first surface of the ionization substrate and the substrate via the through-holes provided in the ionization substrate
Implementation Method 2
ionization efficiency when components of the sample are ionized by applying a laser beam to the second surface
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a sample support body that includes a substrate, an ionization substrate, a support, and a frame. The ionization substrate has a plurality of measurement regions for dropping a sample on second surface. A plurality of through-holes that open in a first surface and the second surface are formed at least in the measurement regions of the ionization substrate. A conductive layer is provided on peripheral edges of the through-holes at least on the second surface. The frame has a wall provided on peripheral edges of the measurement regions on the second surface to separate the plurality of measurement regions when viewed in the direction in which the substrate and the ionization substrate face each other.