Sample analysis for mass cytometry

A method of laser ablation mass cytometry analysis using a laser ablation mass cytometer, the method comprising:

• directing pulses of a laser beam to a plurality of sites of a sample for generating an ablated plume of sample for each of the pulses;
• capturing each ablated plume;
• transferring each of the captured ablated plumes into an inductively coupled plasma (ICP);
• and
• ionizing each of the captured and transferred ablated plumes in the ICP, thereby generating ions for mass cytometry analysis;
• wherein the laser ablation mass cytometer comprises an injector adapted to transfer the ablated plumes to the ICP, the injector having an injector inlet positioned within a laser ablation source, the injector inlet being configured for capturing the ablated plumes;
• wherein the injector inlet forms a sample cone, wherein a narrower portion of the sample cone is an aperture of the injector inlet;
• wherein the sample cone is positioned adjacent an area where the ablated plume is generated;
• and
• wherein the method further comprises introducing a capture gas flow to bring the ablated plumes into the sample cone of the injector and introducing a transfer gas flow, separate from the capture gas flow, into the injector for transferring the ablated plumes from the sample cone toward the ICP.

A laser ablation system comprising:

• a laser configured to produce laser illumination;
• a laser ablation cell for holding a sample to be analyzed;
• and
• an injector for carrying an ablation plume to an ICP, the injector comprising a sample cone with a narrower portion of the sample cone forming an injector opening, and
• wherein the injector comprises an inlet for introducing a transfer gas flow into the injector, and an outlet for delivering an ablation plume to ICP-MS;
• and
• wherein the laser ablation cell comprises a inlet for introducing a capture gas flow, separate from the transfer gas flow, into the ablation cell.