A method of analysing a sample comprises analysing a sample in a first mode of operation so as to produce a spatially resolved data set representative of the sample, and analysing the data set so as to identify one or more regions of the sample. For each of one or more identified regions of the sample, a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) data set is produced for that region by determining a path through the region, and analysing the sample along the path using Desorption Electrospray Ionisation (“DESI”) in a tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) mode of operation.

Methods and devices for mass spectrometry are described, specifically the use of nanoparticulate implantation as a matrix for secondary ion and more generally secondary particles. A photon beam source or a nanoparticulate beam source can be used a desorption source or a primary ion/primary particle source.

Apparatus for laser induced ablation spectroscopy (LIBS) is disclosed. An apparatus can have a computer, a pulsed laser and a lightguide fiber bundle that is subdivided into branches. One branch can convey a first portion of the light to a first optical spectrometer and a different branch can convey a second portion of the light to another optical spectrometer. The first spectrometer can be relatively wideband to analyze a relative wide spectral segment and the other spectrometer can be high dispersion to measure minor concentrations. The apparatus can have a plurality of spectrometers with distinct and/or complementary capabilities, and can include an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer and data and instructions in tangible media operable to obtain a synergistic composition analysis based on optical spectra and ion mass to charge ratio peaks from the mass spectrometer.

A matrix-derived peak information acquisition unit (31) creates a peak list that summarizes various ions derived from a matrix and their theoretical m/z values based on a result of analysis of a sample of only a matrix, and stores the peak list in a matrix-derived peak information storage unit (32). When an actually-measured mass spectrum of a target sample is obtained, a mass calibration reference peak detection unit (33) uses a peak list corresponding to a matrix used for analysis to identify an ion peak derived from a matrix appearing in the actually-measured mass spectrum. A mass calibration information calculation unit (35) obtains mass calibration information from an actually-measured m/z value and a theoretical m/z value of the identified peak, and a mass calibration processing unit (37) uses the mass calibration information to correct an m/z value of a peak derived from a target compound on the actually-measured mass spectrum. In this manner, accurate mass calibration can be performed without using a standard substance or even in a case where an ion derived from a standard substance cannot be observed with sufficient intensity.

A mass spectrometer includes: a measurement unit to perform mass spectrometry on each of a plurality of target samples and a plurality of quality control samples in a predetermined order; a sample information storage unit which stores discrimination information capable of discriminating between the target sample and the quality control sample in a series of measurements of the target samples and the quality control samples; and a display processor to separate a measurement result for the target sample and/or an analysis result derived from the measurement result, and a measurement result for the quality control sample and/or an analysis result derived from the measurement result to create display information in a predetermined format, and display the two pieces of display information on a screen of a display unit by using the discrimination information.

The invention relates to a method for the determination and visualization of the spatial distribution of tissue states of a tissue sample, wherein a mass/mobility map is acquired at each of a plurality of sample sites of the tissue sample, the signal heights at each sample site are determined at characteristic signal positions in the corresponding mass/mobility map, from which a tissue state for each sample site is calculated with the aid of a mathematical/statistical classification algorithm, and the spatial distribution of the tissue states calculated for the sample sites is represented graphically.

An imaging mass spectrometer according to one mode of the present invention includes: an analysis execution section (1, 31) configured to perform a mass spectrometric analysis on each of a plurality of measurement points set within a two-dimensional area on a sample, to collect mass spectrum data over a predetermined mass-to-charge-ratio range for each measurement point; a condition memory section (32) configured to store a data matrix creation condition to be used for creation of a data matrix based on the mass spectrum data acquired by the analysis in the analysis execution section; and a data matrix creation section (42) configured to begin, in the middle of an execution of the analysis by the analysis execution section or subsequently to the completion of the analysis, the creation of the data matrix based on mass spectrum data already collected until then, according to the data matrix creation condition stored in the condition memory section.

Methods and devices for mass spectrometry are described, specifically the use of nanoparticulate implantation as a matrix for secondary ion and more generally secondary particles. A photon beam source or a nanoparticulate beam source can be used a desorption source or a primary ion/primary particle source.

A sample support is a sample support for sample ionization, including: a substrate formed with a plurality of through holes opening to a first surface and a second surface on a side opposite to the first surface; a conductive layer provided not to block the through hole in the first surface; and a frame body provided in a peripheral portion of the substrate to surround an ionization region in which a sample is ionized when viewed in a thickness direction of the substrate, in which a marker for recognizing a position in the ionization region is provided in the frame body.

The present invention relates to the high resolution imaging of samples using imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) and to the imaging of biological samples by imaging mass cytometry (IMC™) in which labelling atoms are detected by IMS. LA-ICP-MS (a form of IMS in which the sample is ablated by a laser, the ablated material is then ionised in an inductively coupled plasma before the ions are detected by mass spectrometry) has been used for analysis of various substances, such as mineral analysis of geological samples, analysis of archaeological samples, and imaging of biological substances. However, traditional LA-ICP-MS systems and methods may not provide high resolution. Described herein are methods and systems for high resolution IMS and IMC.