Patent · US Active

Protein microscope

US8286260B2 · kind B2 · utility

44Cited by
9References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 19, 2010
Grant dateOct 9, 2012
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 2, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J49/0004
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system and method for analyzing and imaging a sample containing molecules of interest combines modified MALDI mass spectrometer and SNOM devices and techniques and includes: (A) an atmospheric pressure or near-atmospheric pressure ionization region; (B) a sample holder for holding the sample; (C) a laser for illuminating said sample; (D) a mass spectrometer having at least one evacuated chamber; (E) an atmospheric pressure interface for connecting said ionization region and said mass spectrometer; (F) a scanning near-field optical microscopy instrument; (G) a recording device for recording topography and mass spectrum measurements made during scanning of the sample with the near-field probe; (H) a plotting device for plotting said topography and mass spectrum measurements as separate x-y mappings; and (I) an imaging device for providing images of the x-y mappings.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.