TOF Mass Microscope Defocused Beam Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mass spectrometers, such as MALDI-TOF and TOF-SIMS, are limited by their microprobe mode, which restricts analysis speed and capability, making them unsuitable for high-throughput, multi-mode mass analysis needed for early disease diagnosis and personalized medicine, particularly in clinical settings.
Innovation Solution
A time-of-flight (TOF) based mass microscope system that uses a laser or ion beam in a defocused state for simultaneous analysis of low and high molecular weight samples, employing a microscope mode to increase measurement speed and versatility, incorporating a position sensitive TOF detector and ion optics assembly for accurate detection of secondary ions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If microprobe mode is used for mass analysis, then spatial resolution is improved (micron level), but analysis speed deteriorates (low-throughput)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection process into two independent segments: a camera captures spatial information (x, y coordinates) of ion generation positions, while a TOF detector simultaneously measures mass information (m/z ratios) of secondary ions. This segmentation allows parallel acquisition of spatial and mass data, achieving both micron-level spatial resolution and high-throughput analysis without the speed limitations of sequential scanning methods.
2Measurement precision
If microprobe mode is used for mass analysis, then spatial resolution is improved (100 nm level), but analysis speed deteriorates (low-throughput)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the detection process into two independent segments: a camera captures spatial information (x, y coordinates) of ion generation positions, while a TOF detector simultaneously measures mass information (m/z ratios) of secondary ions. This segmentation allows parallel acquisition of spatial and mass data, achieving both 100 nm-level spatial resolution and high-throughput analysis without the speed limitations of sequential scanning methods.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional mass spectrometer is used, then analysis capability is limited (specific molecules), but system complexity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal mass analysis platform that can analyze various types of samples (low molecular weight drugs, metabolites, lipids, peptides, and high molecular weight proteins) using the same microscope-mode system. By combining camera-based spatial detection with TOF-based mass detection, the system achieves multi-functional capability without requiring multiple specialized instruments, thus increasing adaptability while maintaining manageable system complexity.
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 system achieves ultra-high speed multi-mode mass analysis, increasing measurement speed by 100 times or more, enabling comprehensive analysis of various samples without molecular weight limitations, thus supporting early disease diagnosis and personalized medicine.
Implementation Method 1
irradiating a laser beam, an ion beam, or any one of the laser beam and the ion beam in a defocused state on the sample
Implementation Method 2
irradiating a laser beam, an ion beam, or any one of the laser beam and the ion beam in a defocused state on the sample
Implementation Method 3
simultaneously measuring and detecting a position of a secondary ion generated from the sample at the time of irradiating the laser beam or the ion beam, based on a time-of-flight (TOF)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention aims to provide a time-of-flight based mass microscope system for an ultra-high speed multi-mode mass analysis, for using a laser beam or an ion beam simultaneously to enable both a low molecular weight analysis such as for drugs/metabolome/lipids/peptides and a high molecular weight analysis such as for genes/proteins, without being limited by the molecular weight of the object being analyzed, and for significantly increasing the measuring speed by using a microscope method instead of a microprobe method.