US 2006/0134797 A1Published application

Method and apparatus for desorption and ionization of analytes

AssigneeBaylor College of Medicine

InventorsT. Hutchens, Tai-Tung Yip

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

This invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for desorption and ionization of analytes for the purpose of subsequent scientific analysis by such methods, for example, as mass spectrometry or biosensors. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of mass spectrometry, especially to the type of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization, time-of-flight mass spectrometry used to analyze macromolecules, such as proteins or biomolecules. Most specifically, this invention relates to the sample probe geometry, sample probe composition, and sample probe surface chemistries that enable the selective capture and desorption of analytes, including intact macromolecules, directly from the probe surface into the gas (vapor) phase without added chemical matrix.

Claims12

Dependent claims

An apparatus for measuring the mass of analyte molecules by means of mass spectrometry, said apparatus comprising:

a spectrometer tube;
vacuum means for applying a vacuum to the interior of said tube;
electrical potential means within the tube for applying an accelerating electrical potential to desorbed analyte molecules;
sample presenting means removably insertable into said spectrometer means, for presenting said analyte molecules in association with a matrix material for promoting desorption and ionization of said analyte molecules, said sample presenting means being adapted to present said analyte molecules on or above the surface of said matrix material, whereby at least a portion of said analyte molecules not consumed in said mass spectrometry analysis will remain accessible for subsequent chemical analytical procedures;
laser beam means for producing a laser beam directed to said analyte molecules and matrix material on said sample presenting means inserted into said spectrometer means, for imparting sufficient energy to desorb and ionize a portion of said analyte molecules on said sample presenting means;
and
detector means associated with said spectrometer tube for detecting the impact of accelerated ionized analyte molecules thereon.

4 more elements

A method in mass spectrometry to measure the mass of an analyte molecule, said method comprising the steps of:

derivitizing a surface on a probe tip face with an affinity reagent having means for selectively bonding with an analyte molecule;
exposing said derivitized probe tip face to a source of said analyte molecule so as to bond said analyte molecule thereto;
placing the probe tip into one end of a time-of-flight mass spectrometer and applying a vacuum and an electric field to form an accelerating potential within the spectrometer;
striking the probe tip face within the spectrometer with a series of laser pulses in order to desorb ions of said analyte molecules from said tip;
detecting the mass weights of the ions by their time of flight within said mass spectrometer;
and
displaying such detected mass weights.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/347,495Filed 3 Feb 2006
Priority: 28 May 1993
Published: 22 Jun 2006
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification9 codes

H01J 49/0418
Sample holders or containers: for laser desorption, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI] plates or surface enhanced laser…
G01N 1/405
Concentrating samples: by adsorption or absorption
G01N 33/6851
Methods of protein analysis involving mass spectrometry: methods of protein analysis involving laser desorption ionisation mass spectrometry
Y10T 436/24
Chemistry: analytical and immunological testing: nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance or other spin effects or mass spectrometry

Family

Application08/068,896Continuation · filed 28 May 1993
Application09/809,657Continuation · filed 15 Mar 2001
Application10/728,442Continuation · filed 5 Dec 2003
Application11/347,495Continuation · filed 3 Feb 2006
US 2001/0014479 A1Published application
US 2004/0191922 A1Published application
US 6,734,022 B2Related patent
US 7,449,150 B2Related patent
US 2006/0134797 A1This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.