Spray Device Capillary Nozzle for Homogeneous Matrix Crystals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for coating tissue samples in MALDI imaging struggle with forming small, homogeneous matrix crystals, leading to limited resolution and inefficient use of expensive matrix solutions, especially when detecting larger molecules like peptides or proteins, due to large crystal sizes and excessive matrix consumption.
Innovation Solution
A method involving multiple thin layers of matrix solution application with increasing amounts per area, using a spray device with a capillary line and gas outlet configuration that produces fine droplets, allowing for precise control and homogeneous layer formation, resulting in crystal sizes as small as 130-140 nm.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a large amount of matrix solution is applied to the sample, then extraction of large molecules is improved, but crystal size increases and resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating process is divided into multiple sequential spray passes (at least two passes) with drying intervals between them. Each pass deposits a thin layer of matrix solution that dries to form a partial coating. This segmentation allows the total matrix amount to be accumulated in controlled increments, preventing excessive crystal growth that would occur with single-pass application of large amounts, while still achieving sufficient matrix quantity for large molecule extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The first spray pass applies a preliminary layer of matrix solution that is allowed to dry completely before subsequent passes. This preliminary action creates a foundation layer that facilitates controlled crystal formation and prevents the formation of large crystals that would result from applying all matrix solution at once. The drying step between passes is a preliminary action that prepares the surface for controlled additional matrix deposition.
2Area of stationary object
If matrix solution is applied to the entire area, then complete coverage is achieved, but matrix consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spray device is configured to apply matrix solution selectively to the sample area with controlled distribution. The multi-pass spraying with drying intervals allows matrix solution to be concentrated where needed on the sample surface rather than uniformly covering the entire area. This local quality approach ensures complete sample coverage while minimizing matrix consumption by avoiding unnecessary application to surrounding areas.
3Measurement precision
If crystal size is reduced to improve resolution, then detection precision improves, but matrix solution efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The coating process uses periodic spraying interspersed with drying periods. Each spray-dry cycle creates a generation of fine matrix crystals. By repeating this periodic action multiple times, fine crystals are formed and accumulated without the need to apply excessive matrix solution in a single pass. The periodic drying intervals are critical as they allow crystal formation to occur in a controlled manner, maintaining fine crystal size while building up sufficient matrix quantity for efficient large molecule extraction.
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 detailed, semi-quantitative or quantitative detection of molecules by achieving smaller matrix crystal sizes, improving resolution to match advanced laser technology, and optimizing matrix usage, suitable for analyzing tissues at a cellular level.
Implementation Method 1
the air flow entrains and finely distributes the liquid according to the ejector principle
Implementation Method 2
the previously applied layer has dried
Data Source
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AI summary
The spraying device serves for spraying samples with a solution, wherein a liquid feed for the metered feeding of the solution and a gas feed are provided which are connected via supply lines to a nozzle head (10) which has a gas outlet (36) and a liquid outlet (16) in order to spray the solution. In order, after drying, to allow a formation of relatively small crystals of the matrix in a coating which is as homogeneous as possible, it is proposed that the liquid outlet (16) is provided at the end of a capillary line (14) which projects beyond the gas outlet (36).