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US 7,071,003 B2Granted
Surface-enhanced laser desorption/Ionization for desorption and detection of analytes
AssigneeBaylor College of Medicine
InventorsT. William Hutchens, Tai-Tung Yip
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Abstract
This invention is directed to probes that are removably insertable into mass spectrometers. The probes have sample presenting surfaces, at least, that contain non-metallic materials. The probes are useful in methods of desorbing analytes from the probe surface. The invention also is directed to detection systems that include the probes and methods of detecting analytes using the system.
Claims28
A system for detecting a macromolecular analyte comprising:
- a removably insertable rigid and structurally self-supporting probe having a sample presenting surface for presenting the macromolecular analyte to a laser desorption ionization energy source that emits energy capable of desorbing and ionizing the macromolecular analyte from the probe, wherein at least the surface comprises a non-metallic material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon, starch, agarose, and dextran;
- a laser desorption ionization energy source that directs laser energy to the sample presenting surface of the probe for desorbing and ionizing the macromolecular analyte;
- a spectrometer tube;
- a 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 the desorbed and ionized analyte;
- a detector in communication with the probe surface that detects the desorbed macromolecular analyte;
- and
- means for detecting the mass of the ions by their time of flight.
5 more elements
A method for detecting a macromolecular analyte comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a system comprising:
- (1) a removably insertable rigid and structurally self-supporting probe having a sample presenting surface for presenting the macromolecular analyte to a laser desorption ionization energy source that emits energy capable of desorbing and ionizing the macromolecular analyte from the probe, wherein at least the surface comprises a non-metallic material selected from the group consisting of polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, nylon, starch, agarose, and dextran, wherein the macromolecular analyte is presented on the probe surface;
- (2) a laser desorption ionization energy source that directs laser energy to the sample presenting surface of the probe for desorbing and ionizing the macromolecular analyte;
- (3) a spectrometer tube;
- (4) a vacuum means for applying a vacuum to the interior of said tube;
- (5) electrical potential means within the tube for applying an accelerating electrical potential to the desorbed and ionized analyte;
- (6) a detector in communication with the probe surface that detects the desorbed and ionized macromolecular analyte;
- and
- (7) means for detecting the mass of the ions by their time of flight;
- b) desorbing and ionizing at least a portion of the macromolecular analyte from the surface by exposing the macromolecular analyte to energy from the laser desorption ionization energy source;
- c) accelerating the desorbed and ionized analyte toward the detector;
- d) detecting the desorbed and ionized macromolecular analyte with the detector;
- and
- e) detecting the mass of the ions by their time of flight.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.