IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,278,098
Granted Patent B2
US 12,278,098 · App. 18/610,570 · Granted Apr 15, 2025

High resolution imaging apparatus and method

Inventors: Paul Corkum (Ottawa, CA); Alexander V. Loboda (Thornhill, CA)
Assignees: STANDARD BIOTOOLS CANADA INC.; UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
H01J49/0463G01N33/6848G01N33/6851G02B21/33H01J37/20H01J37/28H01J49/0004H01J49/0031H01J49/025H01J49/0418H01J49/067H01J49/105H01J49/142H01J49/161H01J49/164H01J49/40
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,278,098
App. No.
18/610,570
Granted
Apr 15, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention relates to the high resolution imaging of samples using imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) and to the imaging of biological samples by imaging mass cytometry (IMC™) in which labelling atoms are detected by IMS. LA-ICP-MS (a form of IMS in which the sample is ablated by a laser, the ablated material is then ionised in an inductively coupled plasma before the ions are detected by mass spectrometry) has been used for analysis of various substances, such as mineral analysis of geological samples, analysis of archaeological samples, and imaging of biological substances. However, traditional LA-ICP-MS systems and methods may not provide high resolution. Described herein are methods and systems for high resolution IMS and IMC.

Claims (11)

1. A method of analysing a biological sample comprising:

staining the biological sample with a contrast agent for electron microscopy,

labelling the sample with labelling atoms,

imaging the biological sample by electron microscopy,

directing a beam of radiation emitted by the laser source towards a location on the biological sample to produce an ablated plume of sample material;

ionising the ablated plume of sample material; and

detecting the sample ions from the sample material.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the contrast agent includes at least one of osmium tetroxide, gold, silver and iridium.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the labelling atoms include at least one of gold and lanthanide labelled antibodies.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein prior to the step of staining the biological sample is sectioned into sections of thickness of less than 10 micrometers or below, such as 1 micrometer or below, or 100 nm or below, or 50 nm or below, or 30 nm or below.

5. The method of claim 1 comprising generating a multiplexed image of the biological sample.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 20, 2024
From: LOBODA, ALEXANDER; CORKUM, PAUL, DR.
To: STANDARD BIOTOOLS CANADA INC.; UNIVERSITY OF OTTAWA
Reel/Frame 066843/0450 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 17580917 · Jan 21, 2022
Continuation 17253538
Provisional Application 62792759 · Jan 15, 2019
Provisional Application 62686341 · Jun 18, 2018
Related Publication 20240371622A1 · Nov 7, 2024
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