# US 7,586,091 B2 · Mass spectrometric system and mass spectrometry > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,586,091 B2 - Document ID: US7586091B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/549,587 - Filed: 2004-03-15 - Published: 2006-09-28 - Granted: 2009-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2003-03-14 - Assignees: NEC Corporation - Inventors: Katsutoshi Takahashi; Kazuhiro Iida; Masakazu Baba; Noriyuki Iguchi; Toru Sano; Hisao Kawaura; Toshitsugu Sakamoto; Wataru Hattori; Hiroko Someya - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7586091B2 ## CPC - H01J 49/0418: {for laser desorption, e.g. matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation [MALDI] plates or surface enhanced laser desorption/ionisation [SELDI] plates} - B01L 3/502753: {characterised by bulk separation arrangements on lab-on-a-chip devices, e.g. for filtration or centrifugation} - G01N 30/84: Preparation of the fraction to be distributed - B01L 3/502746: {characterised by the means for controlling flow resistance, e.g. flow controllers, baffles or throttle valves} - B01L 2200/0663: Stretching or orienting elongated molecules or particles - B01L 2200/10: Integrating sample preparation and analysis in single entity, e.g. lab-on-a-chip concept - B01L 2300/0681: Filter - B01L 2300/0816: Cards, e.g. flat sample carriers usually with flow in two horizontal directions - B01L 2300/16: Surface properties and coatings - B01L 2400/086: using baffles or other fixed flow obstructions - G01N 1/22: in the gaseous state {(specially adapted for biological material G01N33/497; measuring breath flow A61B5/087)} - G01N 2030/8452: {Generation of electrically charged aerosols or ions} - H01J: ELECTRIC DISCHARGE TUBES OR DISCHARGE LAMPS (spark-gaps H01T; electric arc lamps H05B31/00; particle accelerators H05H) - B01L: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL LABORATORY APPARATUS FOR GENERAL USE - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract After a sample is previously separated into plural components in a channel formed in a microchip (353), the channel is irradiated along a separation direction with a laser beam from a laser oscillator (361) to sequentially ionize each fraction separated in the channel. The ionized fraction is detected by a mass spectrometry unit (363) and analyzed by an analytical result analyzing unit (371). The analytical result is stored in a memory (369) while associated with position information in a driver control unit (367) and information on laser beam irradiation condition in a laser control unit (373), and the analytical result is imaged by an imaging unit (375). The imaged analytical result is displayed on a display (377). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mass spectrometry system comprising: a microchip which has a channel through which a sample passes and a sample separation area being provided in said channel; a light irradiation unit irradiating with a laser beam while moving a light irradiation position along said sample separation area; and an analytical unit analyzing a fragment of said sample to obtain mass spectrometric data, said fragment of said sample being generated by a light irradiation, wherein said channel is provided on a surface of a substrate, said sample separation area has a plurality of columnar bodies, and said sample separation area having said plurality of columnar bodies is irradiated with said laser beam. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein the density of said plurality of columnar bodies is gradually decreased toward a proceeding direction of said sample in said channel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein the density of said plurality of columnar bodies is gradually increased toward a proceeding direction of said sample in said channel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein said sample separation area and an adjustment area are alternately formed with respect to a proceeding direction of said sample in said channel, said plurality of columnar bodies being formed less densely in said adjustment area than in said sample separation area. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein a metal layer is provided on a surface of at least one of said columnar bodies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said columnar bodies is made of metal. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein said laser beam is an infrared laser beam or an ultraviolet laser beam. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 1, wherein said sample separation area includes a plurality of columnar body arrangement portions in which said plurality of columnar bodies are arranged, and a path is provided between said plurality of adjacent columnar body arrangement portions, said sample passing though said path. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The mass spectrometry system according to claim 8, wherein a width of said path is larger than an average interval between said plurality of columnar bodies in said plurality of columnar body arrangement portions. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8, 9) The mass spectrometry system according to claims 8 or 9, wherein said plurality of columnar body arrangement portions are combined and arranged such that a plane arrangement is to be a substantial rhombus, and said plurality of columnar bodies are arranged such that said plane arrangement of each of said plurality of columnar body arrangement portions is to be a substantial rhombus.