Mass spectrometry imaging has long been dominated by imported instruments; vacuum MALDI and SIMS systems are expensive and require complex sample preparation, limiting their adoption. With the development of matrix-free ambient routes and post-ionization technologies, domestic manufacturers have been able to enter through differentiated parameters rather than full-chain replication, for example building advantages with features such as 2–3 μm single-cell resolution and ambient matrix-free operation.
The value of the domestic route lies not only in cost, but also in engineering adaptation to local research and industrial needs (such as microscopic localization of traditional Chinese medicine, clinical rapid sections, and drug spatial distribution), as well as the provision of localized service and compatibility support.
Domestic imaging sources mainly follow two routes: one is laser/photoionization (such as Neo-Source LDPI), matrix-free, ambient, 2–3 μm, suitable for small-molecule low-background imaging; the other is electrospray plus photoionization (such as Neo-Source DPI), with no polarity bias and a sensitivity 1–4 orders of magnitude higher than DESI, covering the 20–200 μm tissue scale.
Both adopt an external modular design compatible with mainstream mass spectrometers such as Agilent, SCIEX and Thermo, enabling existing instruments to gain imaging capability without replacement. This forms a different procurement and deployment logic from imported complete imaging systems.
When selecting a domestic imaging source, you should verify whether the spatial resolution meets the problem scale (single cells require μm-level), whether it is matrix-free to suit small molecules, ambient or vacuum, whether it can be compatible with existing instruments, and whether the manufacturer provides supporting software and standard-format export (such as imzML).
Neo-Source LDPI/DPI provides model-by-model compatibility solutions and publicly discloses nominal parameters and a compatible instrument list on its website, facilitating preliminary matching by instrument model and research goal.
LDPI matrix-free ambient:Laser / photoionization, 2–3 μm, m/z≥70 low background, small-molecule friendly
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).