Feasibility Experiments Research Articles

Integration of hydrological observations into a Spatial Data Infrastructure under a Sensor Web environment

Various sensors connected to the World Wide Web are used to obtain real-time hydrological observations. Thus, real-time management and utilization of such distributed in situ observations in the cyber-physical environment becomes possible. A Sensor Observation Service (SOS) chaining Web Feature Service (WFS) method is proposed to integrate geographical reference observation data collected by a hydrological Sensor Web into a virtual globe. This method hides the complexity of a series of information and service models in the Sensor Web realm to enable the integration of heterogeneous distributed hydrological data sources into a Spatial Data Infrastructure (SDI). The core components – a dynamic schema transformer and automatic information extractor – were designed and implemented. The SOS schema is matched to WFS schema that uses the schema transformer dynamically. The information extractor extracts and serves features automatically, conforming to standard SOS operations for observation retrieval and insertion. Feasibility experiments conducted on the Jinsha River tested this proposed method. Results show that the proposed approach allows the integration of SOS servers into legacy applications that have a higher degree of availability within many SDIs. However, this is accompanied with the drawback that only a limited part of the SOS functionality is available to clients.

Charged Higgs Boson Contribution to $\overline{\nu}_{e}-e$ Scattering from Low to Ultrahigh Energy in Higgs Triplet Model

We study the $\overline{\nu}_{e}-e$ scattering from low to ultrahigh energy in the framework of Higgs Triplet Model (HTM). We add the contribution of charged Higgs boson exchange to the total cross section of the scattering. We obtain the upper bound $h_{ee}/M_{H^{\pm}}\lesssim2.8\times10^{-3}~\mbox{GeV}^{-1}$ in this process from low energy experiment. We show that by using the upper bound obtained, the charged Higgs contribution can give enhancements to the total cross section with respect to the SM prediction up to 5.16 % at E≤1014 eV and maximum at $s\approx M_{H^{\pm}}^{2}$ and would help to determine the feasibility experiments to discriminate between SM and HTM at current available facilities.

Non-iterative partial view 3D ultrasound to CT registration in ultrasound-guided computer-assisted orthopedic surgery

In image-guided orthopedic surgery, rigid registration of intra-operative ultrasound (US) to a pre-operative plan, developed using computed tomography (CT) scans, is an important step for providing real time surgical guidance. The ability to perform this registration accurately, automatically, and in real time is critical for enabling more effective image guidance and anatomic restoration in a number of orthopedic procedures. Several surface-based and intensity-based registration methods have been proposed before to align the US and CT data. Although relatively successful results were reported, both methods require accurate segmentation or localization of the bone surface in US data, which is a challenging task. Furthermore, typically, only partial views of the three-dimensional (3D) bone anatomy are visible in US data, and registration would only converge if a good estimation of the initial alignment between the US and CT datasets is known. We propose a 3D rigid CT to US registration method based on the alignment of local phase bone image projections. The registration is achieved by transforming the local phase bone features, calculated using 3D Log-Gabor filters, to a projection space obtained using 3D Radon transform. Validation experiments show the capability of the method in registering partial view US volumes to full view CT volume. Feasibility experiments, carried out on a phantom and ten volunteer subjects, show an average surface registration, in the region where the US scans were acquired, of 0.42 and 0.78 mm, respectively. The proposed US to CT registration method is fully automatic, non-iterative and requires no initial alignment between the two registering datasets.

Dynamic Load를 이용한 박막 금속 분리판 성형기술

The weight of the bipolar plate is one of the crucial aspects of improving power density in PEMFC stacks. Aluminum alloys have good mechanical properties such as density, electrical resistivity, and thermal conductivity. Furthermore, using aluminum in a bipolar plate instead of graphite reduces the bipolar plate cost and makes machining easier. Therefore in this study, an aluminum alloy was selected as the appropriate material for a bipolar plate. Results from feasibility experiments with the aim of developing fuel cells consisting of Al bipolar plates with multiple channels are presented. Dynamic loading was applied and the formability of micro channels was estimated as a function of punch pressure and die radius. Sheets of Al5052 with a thickness of 0.3mm were used. For a die radius of 0.1mm the formability was optimized with a sine wave dynamic load of 90kN at maximum pressure and 5 cycles of a sine wave punch travel. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed manufacturing technique for producing bipolar plates.

Plasma Lens for Optical Path Difference Control

This research investigated the feasibility of a plasma lens for wave front control of coherent light sources. The approach is based on the relation between a plasma electron density and its index of refraction. The plasma was encapsulated in a hollow glass cylinder with flat optical glass at its ends. Air in the glass cylinder was ionized using a dielectric barrier discharge. The wave front distortion produced by the ionized air was characterized by placing the plasma lens in one arm of a Michelson interferometer setup. The effect of gas pressure and plasma power were investigated. The results were compared with a derived analytic model that related the electron density and optical path difference to the plasma power. The agreement between the experiment and analytic model was very good, especially at the higher plasma power levels. The maximum optical path difference increased with the gas pressure inside the lens. A maximum optical path difference of approximately 1.5 μm was achieved in the experiments. This brackets optical path difference levels that are typical of aero-optic applications, and otherwise corrected using electromechanical deformable mirrors. Although air was used as the gas in the plasma lens in these feasibility experiments, the use of Penning mixtures would further increase possible optical path difference levels and provide greater dynamic range.

A fully implanted programmable stimulator based on wireless communication for epidural spinal cord stimulation in rats

Clinical research indicates that the epidural spinal cord stimulation (ESCS) has shown potential in promoting locomotor recovery in patients with incomplete spinal cord injury (ISCI). This paper presents the development of a fully implantable voltage-regulated stimulator with bi-directional wireless communication for investigating underlying neural mechanisms of ESCS facilitating motor function improvement. The stimulation system consists of a computer, an external controller, an implantable pulse generator (IPG), a magnet, the extension leads and a stimulation electrode. The telemetry transmission between the IPG and the external controller is achieved by a commercially available transceiver chip with 2.4GHz carrier band. The magnet is used to activate the IPG only when necessary to minimize the power consumption. The encapsulated IPG measures 33mm×24mm×8mm, with a total mass of ∼12.6g. Feasibility experiments are conducted in three Sprague-Dawley rats to validate the function of the stimulator, and to investigate the relationship between lumbar-sacral ESCS and hindlimb electromyography (EMG) responses. The results show that the stimulation system provides an effective tool for investigation of ESCS application in motor function recovery in small animals.

Limitations of closing percutaneous transthoracic ventricular access ports using a commercial collagen vascular closure device

Closed-chest access and closure of direct cardiac punctures may enable a range of therapeutic procedures. We evaluate the safety and feasibility of closing percutaneous direct ventricular access sites using a commercial collagen-based femoral artery closure device. Yorkshire swine underwent percutaneous transthoracic left ventricular access (n = 13). The access port was closed using a commercial collagen-based vascular closure device (Angio-Seal, St. Jude Medical) with or without prior separation of the pericardial layers by instillation of fluid into the pericardial space ("permissive pericardial tamponade"). After initial nonsurvival feasibility experiments (n = 6); animals underwent 1-week (n = 3) or 6-week follow-up (n = 4). In naïve animals, the collagen plug tended to deploy outside the parietal pericardium, where it failed to accomplish hemostasis. "Permissive pericardial tamponade" was created under MRI, and accomplished early hemostasis by allowing the collagen sponge to seat on the epicardial surface inside the pericardium. After successful closure, six of seven animals accumulated a large pericardial effusion 5 ± 1 days after closure. Despite percutaneous drainage during 6-week follow-up, the large pericardial effusion recurred in half, and was lethal in one. A commercial collagen-based vascular closure device may achieve temporary but not durable hemostasis when closing a direct left ventricular puncture port, but only after intentional pericardial separation. These insights may contribute to development of a superior device solution. Elective clinical application of this device to close apical access ports should be avoided.

Formability of aluminium embossing sheets with controlled stamping machine for PEM fuel cell

The weight of bipolar plates is one of the important considerations in the process of improving the power density in proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks. An aluminium alloy not only has good mechanical properties such as low density, low electrical resistivity and high thermal conductivity, but also has high corrosion resistance. Furthermore, when aluminium is used as a material for bipolar plates, the cost and weight of the bipolar plate can be reduced, and machining becomes easier. Therefore, in this study, an aluminium alloy is selected as the ideal material for a bipolar plate. In this paper, the results of feasibility experiments conducted with the aim of developing fuel cells in which Al bipolar plates with multiple channels are presented. This investigation involves determination of the effect of machine velocity and die temperatures on the formation of microchannels using thin metal sheets of Al5052. The experimental results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed manufacturing technique for producing bipolar plates.

Midterm results of transapical aortic valve replacement via real-time magnetic resonance imaging guidance

Percutaneous valve replacements are presently being evaluated in clinical trials. As delivery of the valve is catheter based, the safety and efficacy of these procedures may be influenced by the imaging used. To assist the surgeon and improve the success of the operation, we have performed transapical aortic valve replacements using real-time magnetic resonance imaging guidance. Twenty-eight swine underwent aortic valve replacement by real-time magnetic resonance imaging on the beating heart. Stentless bioprostheses mounted on balloon-expandable stents were used. Magnetic resonance imaging (1.5 T) was used to identify the critical anatomic landmarks. In addition to anatomic confirmation of adequate placement of the prosthesis, functional assessment of the valve and left ventricle and perfusion were also obtained with magnetic resonance imaging. A series of short-term feasibility experiments were conducted (n = 18) in which the animals were humanely killed after valve placement and assessment by magnetic resonance imaging. Ten additional animals were allowed to survive and had follow-up magnetic resonance imaging scans and confirmatory echocardiography at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging provided superior visualization of the landmarks needed. The time to implantation after apical access was 74 +/- 18 seconds. Perfusion scanning demonstrated adequate coronary flow and functional imaging documented preservation of ventricular contractility in all animals after successful deployment. Phase contrast imaging revealed minimal intravalvular or paravalvular leaks. Longer term results demonstrated stability of the implants with preservation of myocardial perfusion and function over time. Real-time magnetic resonance imaging provides excellent visualization for intraoperative guidance of aortic valve replacement on the beating heart. Additionally, it allows assessment of tissue perfusion and organ function that is not obtainable by conventional imaging alone.

High power accelerator-based boron neutron capture with a liquid lithium target and new applications to treatment of infectious diseases

A new conceptual design for an accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (ABNCT) facility based on the high-current low-energy proton beam driven by the linear accelerator at SARAF (Soreq Applied Research Accelerator Facility) incident on a windowless forced-flow liquid-lithium target, is described. The liquid-lithium target, currently in construction at Soreq NRC, will produce a neutron field suitable for the BNCT treatment of deep-seated tumor tissues, through the reaction 7Li(p,n) 7Be. The liquid-lithium target is designed to overcome the major problem of solid lithium targets, namely to sustain and dissipate the power deposited by the high-intensity proton beam. Together with diseases conventionally targeted by BNCT, we propose to study the application of our setup to a novel approach in treatment of diseases associated with bacterial infections and biofilms, e.g. inflammations on implants and prosthetic devices, cystic fibrosis, infectious kidney stones. Feasibility experiments evaluating the boron neutron capture effectiveness on bacteria annihilation are taking place at the Soreq nuclear reactor.

Numerical modeling of H 2–O 2 flames involving electronically-excited species [formula omitted], [formula omitted] and [formula omitted

The promoting action of electrical discharges on combustion processes results in reduction of the ignition delay, improvement of flame stability as well as extension of the flammability limits. These features are key technical issues for combustion improvement. One particularly promising approach consists of plasma-enhanced activation of the oxidizing substance, such as when transforming molecular oxygen into its electronically excited singlet delta O 2 ( a 1 Δ g ) and singlet sigma O 2 ( b 1 Σ g + ) states. In contrast with non-excited reactants, singlet oxygen molecules display a higher chemical activity and can affect reaction kinetics due to a decrease of the energy barrier associated with endoenergetic reactions. Previous publications have presented results of recent feasibility experiments on singlet oxygen generation in non-equilibrium electric discharges, from reduced pressures up to atmospheric pressure and for different discharge powers, using a high voltage pulse generator. It was possible to produce O 2 ( b 1 Σ g + ) and O 2 ( a 1 Δ g ) molecules and to detect them by optical emission spectroscopy. As a complement, the present study is devoted to the numerical study of ignition and combustion in subsonic flows of diluted hydrogen–air mixtures including electronically-excited O 2 molecules, as they appear in the experiments. All computations rely on a detailed reaction scheme implemented within the package CHEMKIN. The reaction mechanism involves the excited species O 2 ∗ ( = O 2 ( a 1 Δ g ) ) , O ∗ ( = O ( 1 D ) ) and OH ∗ ( = OH ( 2 Σ + ) ) . Results show that in the presence of excited oxygen in the initial mixture, a reduction of the ignition delay and of the minimum temperature for inflammation is observed, together with an increase of the laminar flame speed, the thermal flame thickness and of the maximum concentration of all main radicals. The extinction strain rate increases with oxygen excitation.

Influence of dissolved oxygen concentration and aeration time on nitrite accumulation in partial nitrification process

This study investigated the influence of dissolved oxygen concentration and aeration time on nitrification and nitrite accumulation in an attempt to optimize the recently developed biological-partial-nitritation process for the treatment of strong nitrogen wastewaters. Investigation of dissolved oxygen concentration on ammonium and nitrite oxidation was carried out in a batch reactor. The dissolved oxygen concentration of 0.5 mg O 2 /L inhibited both ammonium as well as nitrite oxidation, while increase of dissolved oxygen concentration to ~1 mg O 2 /L increased the ammonium oxidation rate and was comparable to that at higher dissolved oxygen concentrations. Experiments were carried out in a sequencing batch reactor for more than 100 days to investigate the influence of aeration time on nitrite accumulation. The dissolved oxygen concentration was controlled at ~1.0 mg O 2 /L (in the range of 0.8-1.5 mg/L) during the aeration stage, and volatile suspended solid was maintained at 2.0 g/L while temperature and pH were 30±1oC and 8.3±0.1, respectively. In a typical cycle, complete nitrification occurred at aeration time longer than 6 h. When the aeration time was reduced to 4 h., ~80 % of partial nitritation was achieved. With a further reduction in aeration time to 3 h., nearly 1:1 nitrite/ammonium ratio was yielded. This result revealed that for the reactor design, aeration time determined by feasibility experiments must be considered based on the nitrogen strength in wastewater and biomass concentration in the reactor with dissolved oxygen concentration of ~1.0 mg O 2 /L for satisfactory partial nitrification with subsequent processes such as anaerobic ammonium oxidation.

Adapting the clinical MRI software environment for real‐time navigation of an endovascular untethered ferromagnetic bead for future endovascular interventions

A dedicated software architecture for a novel interventional method allowing the navigation of ferromagnetic endovascular devices using a standard real-time clinical MRI system is shown. Through a specially developed software environment integrating a tracking method and a real-time controller algorithm, a clinical 1.5T Siemens Avanto MRI system is adapted to provide new functionality for potential automated interventional applications. The proposed software architecture was successfully validated through in vivo controlled navigation inside the carotid artery of a swine. Here we present how this MRI-upgraded software environment could also be used in more complex vasculature models through the real-time navigation of a 1.5 mm diameter chrome steel bead in two different MR-compatible phantoms with flowless and quiescent flow conditions. The developed platform and software modules needed for such navigation are also presented. Real-time tracking achieved through a dedicated positioning method based on an off-resonance excitation technique has also been successfully integrated in the software platform while maintaining adequate real-time performance. These preliminary feasibility experiments suggest that navigation of such devices can be achieved using a similar software architecture on other conventional clinical MRI systems at an operational closed-loop control frequency of 32 Hz.

Removable Covered Expandable Biliary Stent with a Proximal Lasso: Proof of Principle Testing in An Animal Model

Rationale: Progressive dilation with plastic stents is the initial therapy of choice to treat benign biliary strictures, but requires repeated interventions which is cumbersome for patients and expensive. The use of fully covered self expandable metal stents (FCSEMS) that are removable may reduce the number of endoscopic procedures and be more effective. Removal of (covered) expandable metal stents is complicated in some cases and frequently unsuccessful. By pulling the distal stent-end the whole surface area must detach from the common bile duct (CBD) at once, making removal sometimes impossible and causing disruption of the wire mesh. This problem could be overcome by using a proximal lasso by which the stent is removed inside-out, level by level. Aim: To test the feasibility of removal of a FCSEMS using a proximal lasso (Hanaro TM, M.I. Tech Co., Ltd, Seoul, Korea) from the biliary tree in an animal model. Methods: Feasibility experiments were performed in two female pigs weighing 25 kg with a normal biliary anatomy. Following a cholangiogram, a 30 Fr 6 cm FCSEMS with a proximal lasso was inserted over a guidewire by means of 10 Fr delivery catheter system. One stent was placed across the papilla, a second stent was placed within the common bile duct. FCSEMS removal was attempted during the same procedure after 30 minutes by pulling the proximal lasso with a rat toothed foreign body retrieval forceps. Results: FCSEMS were successfully placed in both pigs. Fluoroscopic control showed that both FCSEMS were fully expanded. In the first pig the proximal lasso was easily grasped from within the duodenal lumen. By pulling the lasso the stent was removed inside-out. In the second pig, the proximal lasso was retained within the CBD, but was easily retrieved using an extraction balloon. Subsequently, the lasso was grasped and the stent was removed, inside-out. At visual inspection, after removal both stents had an intact wire mesh and covering. A control cholangiogram showed no signs of perforation. Conclusion: Removal of FCSEMS using a proximal lasso (inside-out) was feasible, even when the stent was deployed within the CBD, not crossing the papilla. From a technical viewpoint, the use of a proximal lasso may provide the mandatory assurance that FCSEMS indeed can be removed when used to dilate benign biliary stenoses. This would obviate the need for frequent plastic stent exchanges and may enhance treatment efficacy. Studies in humans are underway.

Feasibility Evaluation of Emodin (Rhubarb Extract) as an Inhibitor of Pancreatic Cancer Cell Proliferation In Vitro

Emodin is a commonly used traditional herbal treatment in China, including use for pancreatic malignancy. In this study, the potential for emodin to inhibit pancreatic cancer cell proliferation was examined using 4 human pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines: Mia Paca-2, BxPC-3, Panc-1, and L3.6pl. WST-1 proliferation, propidium iodide flow cytometry cell cycle analysis, and poly-ADP-ribose polymerase (PARP) Western blot analysis were performed. Forty-eight-hour treatment with 50 muM emodin inhibited proliferation in Mia Paca-2 cells by 42%, BxPc-3 by 38%, L3.6pl by 56%, and Panc-1 by 18% (all P < .01). In three-fourths of the cell lines, emodin treatment resulted in an increase (from 4.7% to 22%) in the cell population number in apoptosis when measured by flow cytometric analysis. Mia Paca-2 revealed a significant PARP cleavage product when compared with control. These feasibility experiments provide initial evidence that emodin exerts an antiproliferative effect, likely through apoptosis induction-related mechanism(s), that is reproducible in various human pancreatic cancer cell lines.

Non-invasive quantitative assessment of the content of pharmaceutical capsules using transmission Raman spectroscopy

This study demonstrates how transmission Raman spectroscopy can be used in the quantitative, non-invasive probing of the bulk content of production line relevant pharmaceutical products contained within capsules with a strong interfering Raman signal (principally TiO 2). This approach is particularly beneficial in situations where the conventional Raman backscattering method is hampered or fails due to excessive Raman or fluorescence signals emanating from surface layers (capsule or coating) that pollute the much weaker subsurface Raman signals. In these feasibility experiments the interfering surface Raman signal was effectively suppressed, relative to the Raman signal of the internal content, by a factor of 33, in the transmission geometry in comparison with the conventional backscattering Raman approach. In conjunction with the superior bulk probing ability of the transmission Raman geometry, which effectively removes the sub-sampling problem inherent to conventional Raman spectroscopy, and multivariate analysis (principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares (PLS) and classical least squares (CLS) regression), this provides an analytical tool well suited for rapid control monitoring applications in the pharmaceutical industry. The measured relative root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) of the concentration of the active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) was 1.2 and 1.8% with 5 and 1 s acquisition times, respectively.

Development of CAM System for 5-Axis NURBS Interpolated Machining (Tool Path Generation Utilizing Interference-Free Space)

Nowadays, it is essential to shorten the production time and to make high quality products at low costs since consumer-needs are becoming diversified. To meet this high requirement, it is expected that 5-axis NURBS (Non-Uniform Rational B-Spline) interpolated machining be put into practical use. 5-axis NURBS interpolated NC data are generally defined by transforming linear interpolated NC data into NURBS interpolated ones. Therefore, the approximation error is consequently included in calculated tool paths due to the use of the linear interpolated data. On the other hand, the main-processors have been developed, which can generate NURBS interpolated CL data directly from CAD modeling data. It is very useful, however there is a problem of taking a long calculation time to generate CL data since the interference avoidance is considered for each tool path. Therefore, the study develops an useful CAM system, which can automatically generate practical 5-axis NURBS interpolated NC data, utilizing the interference-free space. As a result, the effectiveness of the proposed method is demonstrated from the feasibility experiments.

The effect of infrared laser-induced micro/nano photothermal expansion and the novel method of photothermal actuation

This paper presents a novel asymmetric microactuator based on photo-thermal expansion. It has an asymmetric structure consisting of two thin expansion arms with different widths. When a beam of infrared laser irradiates the arms，the different increases in temperature and photo-thermal expansion controlled by the different rates of specific surface area causes a magnified lateral deflection. In the paper，the thermodynamic model is introduced，and the computing formula of lateral deflection is given. A prototype microactuator of 750μm length has been manufactured by using the excimer laser micromaching system Optec Promaster with an infrared laser diode (998nm) as the external power source to activate the microactuator. Then we carried out feasibility experiments by using a monitored control system made by our laboratory，and measured the relationship between the lateral deflection and laser power. The experiment results demonstrate that the deflection of the microactuator reached 258μm at 16mW infrared laser power. The photo-thermal microactuator has the advantages of simple structure，adjustable deflection，no electromagnetic interference，easy integrating and remote controlling. It will be quite useful for applications in the fields of micro/nano-technology and micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS).

Use of electrothermal vaporization for volatility-based separation of Rb–Sr isobars for determination of isotopic ratios by ICP-MS

A new method of separating Rb and Sr by ETV-ICP-MS is demonstrated. An electrothermal vaporizer (ETV) is used for sample introduction and control of the ETV heating cycle provides temporal separation of the isobars at m/z 87, allowing 87Rb and 87Sr determination within the same sample. The method utilizes an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) for ionization and detection. A one or two vaporization stage heating method is used for the ETV separation, and initial methodology and feasibility experiments were conducted on an ETV-ICP-TOFMS. Final measurements were made using a MC-ICP-MS for data collection. The method uses minimal sample preparation and no front end chromatographic separation of Rb and Sr prior to analysis. The technique is applied to the analysis of a potassium feldspar sample (NIST SRM 607) and is demonstrated to be viable as a means of determining isotopic data for the Rb–Sr geochronological technique. The standard was determined to have a 87Sr/86Sr ratio of 1.1876 ± 0.011, a Sr concentration of 64.1 ± 4.7 µg g−1, and a Rb concentration of 557 ± 6 µg g−1 (95% CI). This corresponds to a model age of 1266 ± 186 million years, statistically similar to the certified value of 1409 ± 14 for the standard. Error analysis is presented for several key calculations and a discussion is presented regarding approaches to improve precision.

Mass Imaging and Identification of Biomolecules with MALDI-QIT-TOF-Based System

Imaging mass spectrometry is becoming a popular visualization technique in the medical and biological sciences. For its continued development, the ability to both visualize and identify molecules directly on the tissue surface using tandem mass spectrometry (MSn) is essential. We established an imaging system based on a matrix-assisted laser/desorption ionization quadrupole ion trap time-of-flight type instrument (AXIMA-QIT, Shimadzu, Kyoto, Japan), which was compatible with both imaging and highly sensitive MSn. In this paper, we present the operating conditions of the AXIMA-QIT as an imaging instrument and introduce the data converter we developed that is available free of charge. The converted data can be applied to Biomap, the commonly used visualization software. For the feasibility experiments, we demonstrated the visualization of phospholipids, glycolipid, and tryptic-digested proteins in the mouse cerebellum. The visualized lipids were successfully identified by MSn directly on the tissue surface, with a strong ability to isolate precursor ions. In the analysis of tryptic-digested proteins, we compared the product ion spectra between AXIMA-QIT and a tandem TOF-type instrument. The results confirmed that AXIMA-QIT can provide a high quality of product ion spectra even on the tissue surface.