Imaging mass spectrometry section (100) performs a mass spectrometric analysis at each of the micro areas set within a measurement area on a target sample, and acquires a graphical image showing a signal-intensity distribution at a specific mass-to-charge ratio or mass-to-charge-ratio range. Quantitative analysis section (300) determines a quantitative value using an analysis result obtained by performing an analysis on the sample collected from each predetermined site within the measurement area of the target sample, using a predetermined analytical technique exhibiting a higher level of quantitative determination performance than the mass spectrometric analysis. Processing section (400) determines the relationship between signal intensity and quantitative value, based on quantitative values determined for the sample at predetermined sites and signal intensities at positions corresponding to the predetermined sites in the signal-intensity distribution, and estimates the quantitative value at an arbitrary position within the signal-intensity distribution, using the relationship.

The invention generally relates to mass spectral analysis. In certain embodiments, methods of the invention involve analyzing a tissue sample using a mass spectrometry technique, in which the technique utilizes a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis. Due to the use of a liquid phase that does not destroy native tissue morphology during analysis, a subsequent staining technique can be performed on the tissue sample and an overlaid image can be produced of a mass spectral image and a staining image.

A method is disclosed comprising obtaining physical or other non-mass spectrometric data from one or more regions of a target using a probe. The physical or other non-mass spectrometric data may be used to determine one or more regions of interest of the target. An ambient ionisation ion source may then used to generate an aerosol, smoke or vapour from one or more regions of the target.

A sample analyzer includes a voltage source that applies a voltage to a sample. A laser irradiator irradiates the sample with a laser beam. A detector detects a particle emitted from the sample. An operation device specifies the material of the particle detected by the detection device, by mass spectrometry of the particle and analyzes the structure of the sample. The operation device calculates a ratio in structure between model information indicating the structure of the sample, which is prepared in advance, and analysis information indicating the structure of the sample, which is obtained by the mass spectrometry, and applies the ratio to the analysis information so as to correct the analysis information.

A method for the identification and localization of small molecule species in a histologic thin tissue section comprises the steps of: a) acquiring a mass/mobility image of the tissue section and generating a mass/mobility map of the small molecule species of interest for each pixel of the image; b) providing a second sample of the same tissue and extracting the small molecules of interest, separating them, and acquiring mass and ion mobility spectra from the separated small molecules; c) identifying the small molecules of interest using corresponding reference databases; and d) assigning identified small molecules to entries in the mass/mobility maps of the first tissue section by comparison of ion masses and mobilities of the identified species to those of the second thin tissue section.

In a device for processing imaging-analysis data, two kinds of imaging-analysis data are stored in a storage section 21: (a) first imaging-analysis data, in which measurement data of a target substance, acquired by performing a first predetermined analysis at each of a plurality of measurement points within an analysis target area of a sample S, is associated with spatial position information of the measurement point, and (b) second imaging-analysis data, in which measurement data of a reference substance, acquired by performing a second predetermined analysis at each of the measurement points, is associated with spatial position information of the measurement point. A normalization executer 28 normalizes the measurement data of the target substance at each measurement point, based on the measurement data of the reference substance acquired at the same measurement point.

A technique for sample analysis includes capturing an image of an analysis location of a sample disposed within a sample chamber using an imaging device having a field of view into the sample chamber along an axis. Subsequent to capturing the image, a material removal beam is directed along the axis the sample to desorb or ablate sample material from the sample at the analysis location. An ionization beam is then applied to the sample material to generate ionized sample material and the ionized sample material is delivered to a mass spectrometer for analysis. Each of organic and inorganic analysis may be conducted at a given analysis location by desorbing and analyzing organic material and subsequently ablating and analyzing inorganic material, the desorption and ablation processes performed using beams delivered along the same axis as the imaging device's field of view.

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 method of analysing a sample is disclosed that comprises surveying a sample in a first mode of operation by directing a spray of charged droplets onto the sample, determining one or more regions of interest in the sample, and analysing the one or more regions of interest in a second different mode of operation by directing a spray of charged droplets onto the sample. The spot size of the spray of charged droplets at a point of impact with the sample may be varied.

A mass spectrometry device according to one aspect of the invention includes: a sample stage on which a sample is placed and on which a sample support having a substrate, in which a plurality of through-holes passing from one surface thereof to the other surface thereof are provided, and a conductive layer, which covers at least a portion of the one surface which is not provided with the through-holes, is placed such that the other surface faces the sample; a laser beam application unit that controls application of a laser beam such that the laser beam is applied to an imaging target region on the one surface; and a detector that detects the sample ionized by the application of the laser beam in a state where a positional relation of the sample in the imaging target region is maintained.