# US 7,411,183 B2 · User customizable plate handling for MALDI mass spectrometry

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- Number: US 7,411,183 B2
- Document ID: US7411183B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/063,486
- Filed: 2005-02-22
- Published: 2005-06-30
- Granted: 2008-08-12
- Earliest claimed: 2003-05-02
- Assignees: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
- Inventors: Gregor T. Overney; Bryan D. Miller
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7411183B2

## CPC

- H01J 49/0418: {for laser desorption, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI] plates or surface enhanced laser desorption/ionisation [SELDI] plates}
- H01J 49/0027: {Methods for using particle spectrometers}
- H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H)

## Abstract

Methods for specifying the layout of a MALDI sample plate are provided. In general, the methods involve creating a file containing sample plate layout parameters that describe the layout of a MALDI sample plate, and storing the file on a computer readable medium prior to placement of the MALDI sample plate into a MALDI ion source. In many embodiments, the file includes information about the size or shape of the sample plate, or information about the size, shape or position of a sample on the sample plate. In many embodiments, a MALDI sample plate is placed in a MALDI ion source and a stored layout file for the sample plate is accessed and used to position an area of the sample plate in a laser beam. The subject methods, kits and apparatus find use in a variety of different mass spectrometry applications.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of positioning a sample on a MALDI sample plate in a laser beam, comprising:
a) storing a file comprising parameters that describe a perimeter of a sample on the MALDI sample plate;
b) placing said MALDI sample plate in a MALDI ion source;
c) accessing said stored file for said MALDI sample plate; and
d) positioning the sample in relation to the laser beam such that the sample is in the laser beam using said parameters.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein positioning comprises moving the sample relative to the laser beam.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein positioning comprises moving the laser beam relative to the sample.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein said accessing comprises using a barcode associated with said MALDI sample plate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising ionizing a portion of said sample using said laser beam.

### Claim 6

A method for positioning a MALDI sample plate in a MALDI ion source with respect to a laser beam, comprising:
(a) storing parameters that describe a perimeter of a sample on said sample plate in a computer readable file;
(b) placing said MALDI sample plate in the MALDI ion source; and
(c) adjusting the relative position of the MALDI sample plate and the laser beam such that a selected position on said MALDI sample plate is impacted by the laser beam;
wherein said adjusting is done using the parameters of the computer readable file.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein said computer readable file is created at a work station that is remote to said MALDI ion source.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7 wherein said computer readable medium is accessible by said MALDI ion source.

### Claim 9 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein adjusting comprises moving the MALDI sample plate using the parameters and maintaining the laser beam in a fixed position.

### Claim 10 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6 wherein adjusting comprises moving the laser beam using the parameters and maintaining the MALDI sample plate in a fixed position.

### Claim 11

A method for operating a MALDI ion source, comprising:
(a) storing sample plate layout parameters that describes a perimeter of a sample on a MALDI sample plate into a computer readable file;
(b) placing said MALDI sample plate in the MALDI ion source
(c) positioning the MALDI sample plate using the sample plate layout parameters; and
(d) ionizing said sample on the MALDI sample plate with a laser beam.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein steps (a), (b) and (c) are automated.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The method of claim 11, wherein said information is stored in permanent memory.

### Claim 14

A method of preparing a sample, comprising:
(a) depositing a sample on a MALDI sample plate;
(b) creating a file comprising parameters that describe a perimeter of said sample on said MALDI sample plate; and
(c) storing the file on a computer readable medium wherein said creating and said storing are done prior to placement of said MALDI sample plate in said MALDI ion source.

### Claim 15 (depends on 14)

The method of claim 14, wherein the sample is a sample trace.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

The method of claim 15, wherein the sample trace is an irregular shape.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The method of claim 16, wherein the irregular shape is selected from liner, non-linear, and elongate.