Imaging mass spectrometry for small molecules in two-dimensional samples

摘要: The invention relates to spatially resolved mass spectrometric measurement and visualization of the distribution small molecules in a range from approximately 150 500 Daltons, for example drugs their metabolites, thin sections or other two-dimensional samples, preferably with ionization by matrix-assisted laser desorption. includes steps measuring daughter ion produced forced decomposition molecular instead ionized analyte molecule itself, having much better signal-to-noise ratio. ions are detected relatively simple reflector time-of-flight spectrometer using an expensive tandem spectrometers ions. Advantageously, substantially faster less scanning thousands spectra which serve as basis visualizing spatial is achieved, while resolution sensitivity at least equally good.