Revolutionary Solutions New Imaging Mass Microscope

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Shimadzu Europa GmbH

KNF Neuberger GmbH

Shimadzu’s new imscope QT imaging mass microscope is claimed to be the only instrument in the world that can obtain mass spectral data associated with morphological information.

Shimadzu has launched the new imscope QT imaging mass microscope. The imscope QT combines a mass spectrometer with a built-in optical microscope and features top-tier analysis speed and imaging capabilities. It is the only instrument in the world that can obtain mass spectral data associated with morphological information and is the ideal tool for cutting-edge R&D challenges, states the company. The imscope QT was officially introduced in Europe on June 21, 2022 during the analytica trade fair in Munich, Germany.

In addition to its many other attributes, the imaging mass microscope is uniquely capable of covering the entire workflow, from sample preparation to easy sample analysis and data analysis. This makes Shimadzu the only provider in the world of such an all-in-one solution, adds the firm.

The imaging mass microscope visualizes target compound distributions in microscopic regions, using both microscope images and compound distribution information from the MS. It can be profitably utilized in medical and pharmaceutical applications, as well as in agriculture and food science. For instance, in cancer treatment, the imaging mass microscope makes it possible to check whether or not the drug has been delivered appropriately. The imscope QT is the successor model to the imscope Trio, released in 2015.

The imscope QT provides speed, sensitivity and accuracy combined in a unique package of:

• an LCMS Q-TOF system;

• a Maldi-MS unit;

• an imlayer matrix sublimation or an imlayer Aero matrix preparation instrument;

• an Imaging MS solution for easy sample analysis;

• Imagereveal software for data analysis.

As part of the imscope QT product launch, the imlayer Aero sprayer for Maldi imaging is also being introduced. The new device sprays the sample evenly and consistently, generating results with a high degree of reproducibility. It complements Shimadzu’s existing imlayer for matrix sublimation, further automates the matrix spraying pretreatment process and provides further flexibility in MS imaging, including enzyme digestion and analyte derivatization.

The imscope QT offers a high-precision stage and extremely stable UV laser in combination with a quadrupole time-of-flight (Q-TOF) mass spectrometer. Together, they achieve a world-leading spatial resolution of 5 μm, mentions the company. In addition, the imaging mass microscope boasts three times the mass resolution and five times the image acquisition speed, when compared to the previous model. For example, the imaging of a mouse brain section (14 mm x 7 mm, resolution 20 μm pitch), which previously would have taken four hours, can be completed in around 50 minutes with the imscope QT, opines the firm.

Users can easily couple or detach the mass spectrometer and microscope units. Removing the microscope section and installing a liquid chromatograph allows the system to be used as a LCMS Q-TOF system. Customers already possessing an LCMS-9030 system can carry out imaging mass microscopy simply by acquiring a Maldi unit.

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