The application notes of the Neo-Source MSI DPI list 'high-throughput rapid analysis and screening (Chinese medicinal materials, blood, natural products, drugs, etc.)' as typical applicable objects, and explicitly state that DPI has no polarity bias, sensitivity 1–4 orders of magnitude higher than traditional DESI, and low ion-suppression effects. These features allow complex body-fluid samples such as blood and urine to be analyzed directly without cumbersome purification.
Its matrix-free, measure-on-demand engineering orientation reduces sample handling from 'half a day at best' to 'measure on demand', which is critical for drug screening and toxicology screening requiring many blood/urine samples.
In blood/urine-related samples, MSI can present in-situ: the distribution of exogenous drugs and their metabolites, the spatial pattern of endogenous metabolites (e.g., lipids, organic acids), and abnormal enrichment regions. For common evidence such as blood spots and urine spots, imaging can read molecular space without destroying the sample, facilitating preservation and review.
In the DPI case, tests in both positive and negative ion modes compared with traditional DESI could newly detect more than a hundred secondary metabolites, with overall signal enhanced by 1–3 orders of magnitude; this sensitivity advantage also benefits the spatial detection of low-abundance drugs and metabolites in body fluids.
Pharmacokinetic research can use blood/urine samples to track the trajectory of drugs and metabolites; toxicology screening can discover abnormally enriched metabolites or exogenous substances; clinical testing can assist in-situ validation of candidate biomarkers on body-fluid spots. Registering MSI results with histology and LC-MS, or complementing them, forms more complete evidence.
Matrix-free preparation makes such often sample-comparison-heavy scenarios easier to deploy: the two Neo-Source imaging sources are matrix-free and measure on demand, and the section remains intact after imaging for continued H&E or IHC validation.
MSI gives relative spatial distribution and ion-intensity images; quantification requires standard curves or internal standards, considering sample collection, storage and other background. It excels at localization and discovery; the gold standard for absolute quantification is often complemented by LC-MS.
DPI is engineered to be compatible with mainstream mass spectrometers from Agilent, AB SCIEX and Thermo (MSI DPI-25A/25S/25T), and provides a self-developed titanium-alloy ion transfer tube that does not damage the sample at the front end and is detachable for cleaning, enabling stable and reproducible blood/urine sample MSI.
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).