Through-Hole Sample Support for High-Sensitivity Mass Spectrometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
The intensity of signals detected in mass spectrometry decreases with certain sample types, leading to reduced sensitivity.
Innovation Solution
A sample support with through holes and a derivatizing agent in the holes, combined with a conductive layer and basifying agent, allows for efficient derivatization and ionization of sample components, maintaining position information and enhancing signal detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sample supports without derivatizing agents are used, then the structure is simple, but the signal intensity decreases and sensitivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The derivatizing agent is pre-provided in the through holes of the substrate before sample introduction. This preliminary preparation enables the sample components to undergo derivatization reaction immediately upon introduction, enhancing signal intensity without requiring additional post-introduction processing steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The derivatizing agent is specifically localized within the through holes of the substrate, creating a concentrated reaction zone. This local concentration of functional material ensures that sample components passing through the holes undergo efficient derivatization, improving measurement precision at the critical interface.
2Ease of manufacture
If derivatizing agent is provided as coated and dried film, then ease of manufacture is improved, but spatial resolving power may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The derivatizing agent is applied as a coated and dried film that may extend beyond the precise boundaries of the through holes. This partial over-coating is acceptable because the excess material does not interfere with the core function, while the method remains简单易制造. The essential derivatization function is achieved without requiring perfectly precise coating boundaries.
3Stability of the object's composition
If evaporated film or sputtered film is used for derivatizing agent, then distribution homogeneity is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical coating methods with vapor-phase deposition techniques (evaporation or sputtering). These methods use physical vapor deposition to automatically achieve uniform distribution of the derivatizing agent across the substrate surface, eliminating the need for complex manual coating processes while ensuring homogeneous material distribution.
4Productivity
If basifying agent is provided to basify the environment, then derivatization efficiency is improved, but risk of damage or side reaction to derivatizing agent increases
Solution Approach 1:
The basifying agent is provided as a separate component from the derivatizing agent, allowing independent optimization of each function. The basifying agent creates the necessary basic environment for derivatization without being mixed with the derivatizing agent, thereby preventing potential damage or side reactions while maintaining derivatization 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
The method enables high-sensitive mass spectrometry by suppressing signal intensity loss and improving spatial resolving power and sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
the derivatizing agent 6 provided to the plurality of through holes 2c to derivatize the components S1
Implementation Method 2
in a case of irradiating the first surface 2a with an energy beam L such as laser light, energy is transferred to the components S1 on the first surface 2a side. The components S1 are ionized by the energy, and sample ions S2 are generated
Implementation Method 3
in a case of irradiating the first surface 2a with an energy beam L such as laser light while applying a voltage to the conductive layer 5
Data Source
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AI summary
A sample support is a sample support used for ionizing components of a sample, and includes: a substrate including a first surface, a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface, and a plurality of through holes opening to the first surface and the second surface; a conductive layer provided at least on the first surface; and a derivatizing agent provided to the plurality of through holes to derivatize the components.