In Vivo, In Situ Tissue Analysis Using Rapid Evaporative Ionization Mass Spectrometry

Abstract

Beam me up: A novel mass spectrometric ionization technique based on rapid evaporation of biological tissues (see picture) can be used to analyze vital tissues during surgical intervention as well as for processed tissue specimens. A tissue identification system based on principal-component analysis was developed. The method differentiates malignant tumor cells from the surrounding healthy tissue.