Patent ID: 6952011

Claim:
A MALDI sample plate comprising: a substrate comprising a plurality of sample regions arranged in a microtitre format, wherein each sample region comprises: a laser etched portion formed in said substrate, wherein said laser etched portion comprises originally hydrophobic material which has been subsequently polymerized by a laser; a first portion surrounding at least part or substantially the whole of said laser etched portion; a groove or raised portion surrounding at least part or substantially the whole of said first portion; a first layer disposed on at least part or substantially the whole of said first portion, wherein said first layer comprises a first hydrophobic material selected from the group consisting of: (i) polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”); and (ii) polystyrene; and a second layer disposed on at least a part or substantially the whole of said laser etched portion, wherein said second layer comprises a second hydrophobic material selected from the group consisting of: (i) polystyrene; and (ii) polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”).