Transmission-Geometry Ion Source for Higher MALDI Post-Ionization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mass spectrometry techniques, such as MALDI-2 and transmission-mode MALDI, face challenges in achieving high sensitivity and ionization efficiency, particularly for imaging applications, due to limitations in ionization yield and contamination of optical elements.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method that uses electromagnetic waves to penetrate a transparent substrate and desorb sample material, followed by post-desorption ionization above the substrate, allowing extended interaction with desorbed molecules and increased ionization probability, while keeping optical elements separate from the ionization space to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If optical elements are placed close to the desorption site for high spatial resolution imaging, then spatial resolution is improved, but optical elements become contaminated by desorbed material
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from reflecting electromagnetic waves off the substrate surface to transmitting waves through the substrate in a different dimension. This allows the electromagnetic waves to interact with desorbed molecules above the substrate without requiring optical elements to be positioned close to the desorption site, thereby maintaining spatial resolution while preventing contamination of optical components.
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent substrate acts as an intermediary medium that allows electromagnetic waves to pass through from below to reach and interact with desorbed molecules above the substrate. This eliminates the need for optical elements to be in direct contact with or close to the desorption site, preventing contamination while maintaining effective ionization.
2Productivity
If electromagnetic waves interact with desorbed molecules for extended periods, then ionization yield is improved, but desorbed molecules disperse and ionization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary desorption action using a first electromagnetic wave to release molecules from the substrate surface before applying the second electromagnetic wave for ionization. This sequential approach ensures molecules are already desorbed and positioned in the interaction region before the ionization wave arrives, maximizing ionization yield without requiring extended interaction times that would allow dispersion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic or pulsed electromagnetic waves with specific timing intervals - a first pulse for desorption followed by a second pulse for ionization. This periodic action allows optimal interaction time for ionization while preventing excessive dispersion of desorbed molecules, thereby maintaining high 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
Enhances ionization yield and sensitivity by extending the interaction path of electromagnetic waves with desorbed molecules, improving detection sensitivity and reducing optical element contamination, especially for difficult-to-ionize molecules like lipids.
Implementation Method 1
a desorption device and an ionization device, where the desorption device is arranged and designed to desorb deposited sample material from a desorption site on the substrate using at least one energy burst
Implementation Method 2
the ionization device is arranged and designed to irradiate the desorbed sample material above the substrate after the at least one energy burst using electromagnetic waves
Implementation Method 3
wherein the electromagnetic waves pass through the substrate, before encountering the desorbed sample material
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to generate ions from sample material deposited on a substrate which is at least partially transparent to electromagnetic waves, comprises: —a support device having a holder for the substrate, —a desorption/ionization unit including a desorption device and an ionization device, said desorption device being configured to desorb deposited sample material from a desorption site on the substrate using at least one energy burst, and said ionization device being configured to irradiate the desorbed sample material above the substrate with electromagnetic waves after the at least one energy burst, wherein the electromagnetic waves pass through the substrate before encountering the desorbed sample material at a location which corresponds to the desorption site, and—an extraction device which is arranged and designed to extract ions from the desorbed sample material and transfer them into an analyzer. The invention also relates to a correspondingly arranged method.