Laser Ablation Cell

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This patent describes an improved laser ablation cell designed for use with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), particularly for high-resolution chemical imaging of biological samples like tissue sections and cell monolayers. The invention enables rapid and efficient conversion of sample material into aerosol by laser ablation, followed by fast and low-dispersion transport of the ablated aerosol to the analytical detector. Key design elements, such as a flow-optimized 'tube cell', closely matched tubing, and the use of combined carrier and sheath gases, reduce signal overlap and enable imaging at a near-cellular or subcellular resolution with minimal loss of spatial precision.

Use CasesContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• High-resolution imaging of biological tissues to map the distribution of trace elements and labeled molecules (multiplexed biomarker imaging).
• Analysis of single cells or monolayers for research in cancer, immunology, or cell biology.
• Imaging of biofilms or thin material layers for material science, environmental analysis, or biomedical research.
• Diagnostic and prognostic applications in pathology, such as determination of cancer markers (e.g., HER2 in breast cancer tissue).
• Multi-element analysis in complex samples for medical, environmental, forensic, or materials research.
• Replacement or complement for conventional immunohistochemistry (IHC) or fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), but using metal-labeled probes detected by mass spectrometry.

BenefitsContent extracted from patent full text and abstract with AI.

• Substantially reduced washout time (to <30 ms), minimizing signal overlap and enabling rapid, high-resolution, and high-throughput imaging.
• Ability to resolve and analyze single cells or even subcellular features within tissue samples, which is important for both research and clinical diagnostics.
• High sensitivity and multiplexing capacity for simultaneous detection of many different targets (e.g., proteins, nucleic acids) labeled with different metals/isotopes.
• Laminar flow design minimizes sample loss and preserves spatial fidelity from sampling to detection.
• Compatible with a range of mass analyzers (e.g., TOF, sector field, quadrupole), supporting both routine and advanced analyses.
• Enables 2D and even 3D chemical imaging of samples with flexible sample preparation methods, including both fixed and cryosectioned tissue.
• Efficient transport and aerosol confinement maximize ionization efficiency and data quality, improving quantitative accuracy.

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