Rapid matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry imaging with scanning desorption laser beam.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS) imaging of surfaces and tissues is a rapidly evolving technique having great potential in the field of biosciences. In earlier times, acquisition of a single high-resolution MS image could take days. Despite the recent introduction of high-repetition rate lasers to increase sample throughput of axial TOF MS instruments, obtaining a high-resolution image still requires a few hours.