Method for resuction in acquisition time for MALSDI imaging by targeted acquisition

摘要

Methods of ion imaging are disclosed in which mass spectral data is acquired by performing a survey scan of a two-dimensional sample, preferably a biological tissue section, at a first relatively coarse spatial resolution, a determination being made at each pixel location as to whether the mass spectral data collected therefrom satisfies a condition/criterion, such as whether it includes one or more ions of interest. If it is determined that said data does satisfy the condition then the system immediately switches to scan the sample at a higher spatial resolution, a determination being made at each of a plurality of subsequent, adjacent pixel locations as to whether the mass spectral data acquired meets the same condition. This higher resolution scan continues until a region of interest on the sample has been fully mapped out and analysed, at which point the systems returns to continue the initial survey scan at said lower spatial resolution.