Data Directed Acquisition of Imaging Mass

摘要

A method of ion imaging is disclosed comprising scanning a sample at a first resolution and acquiring first mass spectral data related to a first pixel location. A determination is then made as to whether or not the first mass spectral data satisfies a condition, wherein if it is determined that the first mass spectral data does satisfy the condition then the method further comprises: (i) switching to acquire second mass spectral data related to a second pixel location which is substantially adjacent to the first pixel location so that the second mass spectral data is acquired at a second resolution which is higher than the first resolution; and (ii) determining whether or not the second mass spectral data satisfies the condition, wherein if it is determined that the second mass spectral data does satisfy the condition then the method further comprises acquiring third mass spectral data related to a third pixel location which is substantially adjacent to the first or second pixel locations so that the third mass spectral is acquired at the second resolution and wherein if it is determined that the second or third mass spectral data does not satisfy the condition then the method further comprises switching back to scanning the sample at the first resolution.

主权项

1. A method of ion imaging comprising:
scanning a sample at a first spatial resolution and acquiring first mass spectral data related to a first pixel location; determining whether or not said first mass spectral data satisfies a condition, wherein if it is determined that said first mass spectral data does satisfy said condition then said method further comprises: switching to an interrogation of the immediately surrounding pixels at a second spatial resolution which is higher than said first spatial resolution, wherein after each acquisition if the mass spectral data does satisfy said condition then the next pixel is analysed at said second spatial resolution, and if the mass spectral data does not satisfy said condition then the method further comprises returning to a previous pixel before moving to an alternative neighboring location at said second spatial resolution, wherein the extent of a region containing target ions of interest is determined; and then switching back to scanning said sample at said first resolution; wherein the step of determining whether or not said mass spectral data satisfies said condition comprises determining whether or not said mass spectral data includes ions having one or more mass to charge ratios of interest and an intensity above a threshold, or ions having one or more ion mobilities of interest and an intensity above a threshold.