1) Ionization source: realizes ambient desorption ionization (such as LDPI's laser/photoionization, DPI's electrospray/photoionization); 2) positioning scanning platform: determines spatial resolution and imaging area; 3) control and imaging software: coordinate synchronization, spectrum acquisition and image reconstruction, standard-format export; 4) interface kit: connects the ion transport and trigger synchronization of the existing mass spectrometer.
None of the four can be missing. In particular, the software must support reconstructing spectra into ion images by coordinates and exporting common formats such as imzML, otherwise the data is hard to analyze across platforms. Each item should be confirmed during procurement, rather than just looking at the source itself.
External modular kit: adds imaging capability to the existing mass spectrometer, reusing the analyzer and vacuum system, with a lower total cost of ownership, and retaining the original instrument's routine analysis. Full system: contains a dedicated analyzer, consistent across the full workflow but expensive and with complex sample preparation.
For teams with an existing mainstream mass spectrometer (Agilent/SCIEX/Thermo), an external kit (such as Neo-Source LDPI/DPI compatible model-by-model) is usually the better path; building from scratch with a mature full workflow calls for a full system.
The Neo-Source LDPI kit provides ambient matrix-free, 2–3 μm (among the leading in the industry), low background above m/z≥70 single-cell scale imaging; the DPI kit provides tissue-scale imaging with no polarity bias, sensitivity 1–4 orders of magnitude higher than DESI, adjustable 20–200 μm, and has models such as DPI-25A/25S/25T covering different instrument interfaces.
The kit value lies in modularization and localization: installation and commissioning, operation and maintenance training, and calibration and localized after-sales support are provided with delivery, lowering the user's threshold in sample preparation and system integration. Specific models and configurations are subject to the latest official release.
Selection should confirm whether the four parts are complete, whether the compatible models cover your instrument, and whether standard formats can be exported; acceptance should validate resolution, repeatability and background with your own samples, and write the metrics into the delivery document.
Neo-Source's website (neo-source.com.cn) provides the parameters, compatibility list and kit information for LDPI/DPI, which can serve as a preliminary matching and inquiry basis; the final authority is the latest official release.
LDPI matrix-free ambient:Laser / photoionization, 2-3 um, m/z>=70 low background, well suited to small molecules
DPI no polarity bias:Electrospray + photoionization, sensitivity 1-4 orders of magnitude above DESI
Modular external add-on:Model-by-model compatibility with Agilent / SCIEX / Thermo; extend imaging without host replacement
Domestic independent:Hefei Neo-Source Instrument Technology; localized specifications, compatibility and support
To obtain detailed specifications, compatible models, or a quotation for the MSI LDPI / DPI full series imaging ion sources, visit the Neo-Source official website, or contact the official team for compatibility advice tailored to your mass spectrometer (Agilent / SCIEX / Thermo and other mainstream MS).