Column management server, column management system, and program

Abstract

To quickly notify a user who uses another column related to an abnormal column of information regarding the abnormality of the column.SOLUTION: The column management server includes a receiving unit, a storage unit, a processing unit, and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives manufacturing information related to a column mounted on an analysis device from a manufacturer terminal. The storage unit stores the manufacturing information received by the receiving unit. The processing unit refers to the manufacturing information stored in the storage unit to extract another column related to an abnormal column and generates abnormality information regarding the column. The transmitting unit transmits the abnormality information to a user terminal corresponding to the other column extracted by the processing unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a column management server and a program for managing abnormalities in columns used in an analytical device, and a column management system including the column management server. [Background technology]

[0002] In Patent Document 1, usage and operation information of parts constituting an analytical device is transferred to a server and registered in a database provided in the server. Then, based on the registered information in the database, the server generates comparison information of usage and operation information of parts of the same type used in multiple analytical devices, and transmits the comparison information to a management PC.

[0003] This allows the operator (the manufacturer or user of the analytical device) operating the management PC to check whether the analytical device parts are operating normally based on the transmitted comparison information. Specifically, by referring to the comparison information, the operator can find parts that need to be replaced or maintenance before their replacement date arrives. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-11565 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] According to Patent Document 1, an operator who operates a management PC must determine whether or not the parts of the analyzer are operating normally based on the comparison information. Furthermore, Patent Document 1 only focuses on the parts that make up the analyzer (the autosampler needle, lamp, and liquid delivery pump).

[0006] An object of the present invention is to quickly notify a user of an abnormality in a column used with an analytical device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The column management server according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit, a storage unit, a processing unit, and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit receives manufacturing information related to a column to be installed in an analytical device from a manufacturer's terminal. The storage unit stores the manufacturing information received by the receiving unit. The processing unit references the manufacturing information stored in the storage unit to extract other columns related to the abnormal column and generates abnormality information related to the column abnormality. The transmitting unit transmits the abnormality information to a user terminal corresponding to the other columns extracted by the processing unit.

[0008] The receiving unit can receive usage information about columns from multiple user terminals. The processing unit can determine whether a column is abnormal and identify the abnormal column by comparing the usage information for multiple columns of the same type or by comparing the usage information with reference information. The processing unit can also transmit the abnormality information to the user terminal corresponding to the abnormal column via the transmitting unit, as well as to the user terminal corresponding to the abnormal column.

[0009] The receiving unit can receive information about the abnormal column from the user terminal, and the processing unit can identify the abnormal column based on the information received by the receiving unit.

[0010] The processing unit can transmit the anomaly information not only to the user terminal but also to the manufacturer terminal via the transmission unit.

[0011] The second invention of the present application is a program that causes a computer to execute the following process. First, manufacturing information about a column installed in an analyzer is received from a manufacturer terminal, and the received manufacturing information is stored in a memory unit. Next, the manufacturing information stored in the memory unit is referenced to extract other columns that are related to the abnormal column, and abnormality information about the column abnormality is generated. Next, the abnormality information is sent to a user terminal corresponding to the extracted other columns.

[0012] A column management system according to a third aspect of the present invention includes the column management server according to the first aspect of the present invention, and a manufacturer terminal communicably connected to the column management server. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, when an abnormal column occurs, information about the abnormality in the column can be quickly notified to users who use other columns that are related to the abnormal column. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a column management system. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a column management server. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the column management system. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart showing a process in Modification 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a column search input screen. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a column search result screen. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen showing the comparison results for a used column and a reference column. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] (column) Columns are used with analytical devices such as chromatography equipment. They are cylindrical components made of stainless steel or resin, filled with fillers such as gels or microparticles that interact with the sample being measured. For example, glycated hemoglobin analysis uses a cation exchange column filled with an anionically charged gel. In a cation exchange column, positively charged components move slowly through the column due to their interaction with the gel, while negatively charged components move quickly through the column due to repulsion from the gel. In this way, components contained in a sample can be separated by utilizing the charge of the components.

[0016] An example of a chromatographic device is a liquid chromatographic device based on the principle of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In a liquid chromatographic device, a measurement sample is supplied to a column together with an eluent, and the components separated by passing through the column are detected by a detector to quantify the components. By using a liquid chromatographic device, for example, components such as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), catecholamines, or lipoproteins can be tested for a blood sample.

[0017] Even if columns are the same size and packed with the same type of packing material, individual differences that occur during manufacturing or column usage can significantly affect the measurement results when the column is used. The column manufacturing process includes steps such as packing material production, packing material storage, packing into the column, column cleaning, and column inspection, and variations in each step can affect the column's characteristics. Furthermore, continued use of the column can lead to the accumulation of test samples and other impurities within the column, which can increase pressure loss within the column and reduce the performance of the packing material.

[0018] (Column management system configuration) The configuration of a column management system for managing column abnormalities will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the column management system 1 is composed of a column management server 10, a manufacturer terminal 20 owned by a manufacturer that manufactures the column, and a user terminal 30 owned by a user who uses the column. A user who uses the user terminal 30 owns an analytical device that uses a column. The column management server 10 can send and receive data to and from each of the manufacturer terminal 20 and the user terminal 30 via a network 40 such as the Internet.

[0019] 1 shows one user terminal 30, but in reality, there are as many user terminals 30 as there are users who use the column. Examples of the manufacturer terminal 20 and the user terminal 30 include devices equipped with a network communication function such as the Internet, and more specifically, examples include multi-function mobile phones such as smartphones, notebook computers, and tablet computers. Since the manufacturer terminal 20 and the user terminal 30 may handle confidential information, the user terminal 30 can be connected to the column management server 10 using a dedicated line such as a VPN (Virtual Private Network) line.

[0020] 2, the column management server 10 includes a receiving unit 11 that receives various information from the manufacturer terminal 20 and the user terminal 30, a processing unit 12 that performs various processes as described below, a storage unit 13 that stores various information, and a transmitting unit 14 that transmits information to the manufacturer terminal 20 and the user terminal 30. The processing unit 12 is connected to the receiving unit 11, the storage unit 13, and the transmitting unit 14.

[0021] (Column management system processing) The processing of the column management system 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0022] In step S101, manufacturing information when a column is manufactured is input to manufacturer terminal 20. A column manufacturer manufactures columns and inspects the manufactured columns, and information related to these is input as manufacturing information to manufacturer terminal 20. Examples of manufacturing information include inspection information such as the date of column manufacture, the date of packing with packing material, the person who packed the packing material, the packing conditions for the packing material, the inspection date when the column was inspected, the inspector, and the inspection results, as well as unique information such as a unique number (such as a serial number) assigned to the manufactured column and the manufacturing lot.

[0023] The manufacturing information can be input to the manufacturer terminal 20 either manually by an operator or automatically by inputting pre-prepared manufacturing information to the manufacturer terminal 20 .

[0024] Here, the manufacturing information of the column can be identified by code information such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The code information can be printed on the column body or the column packaging, or a sticker with the code information printed on it can be affixed to the column body or the column packaging. Then, by reading the code information using a reading device, the manufacturing information can be automatically input into the manufacturer terminal 20. On the other hand, an electronic tag (e.g., an RFID tag) on ​​which the manufacturing information is recorded can be prepared as an accessory to the column, and the manufacturing information recorded on the electronic tag can be read by a reading device and the read manufacturing information can be automatically input into the manufacturer terminal 20.

[0025] The timing for inputting the manufacturing information into the manufacturer terminal 20 can be determined as appropriate. For example, each time a column is manufactured, the manufacturing information for that column can be input into the manufacturer terminal 20, or each time a predetermined number of columns are manufactured, the manufacturing information for these columns can be input collectively into the manufacturer terminal 20. Furthermore, each time each step included in the column manufacturing process described above is completed, the manufacturing information for that step can be input into the manufacturer terminal 20, or the manufacturing information can be input into the manufacturer terminal 20 when all steps are completed.

[0026] In step S102, the manufacturer terminal 20 transmits the input manufacturing information to the column management server 10. Here, the manufacturer terminal 20 can transmit the input manufacturing information to the column management server 10 every time a part of the manufacturing information is input, or can transmit the input manufacturing information to the column management server 10 collectively when all of the manufacturing information has been input.

[0027] In step S103, the receiving unit 11 of the column management server 10 receives the manufacturing information transmitted from the manufacturer terminal 20, and the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 stores the manufacturing information received by the receiving unit 11 in the storage unit 13. The manufactured column is sold to a user, and used in an analytical device owned by the user.

[0028] In step S104, usage information when the user uses the column is input to the user terminal 30. Examples of usage information include the date the column was first used, the number of times the column was used, the set temperature of the column, the liquid delivery pressure, measurement results such as a chromatogram, device information about the analyzer that used the column, the above-mentioned column-specific information, and identification information for the user terminal 30.

[0029] Examples of the device information include the name of the analytical device, an identification number assigned to each analytical device, the name of the facility where the analytical device is used, and an identification number that identifies the facility. As described above, by including column-specific information in the column manufacturing information and also in the column usage information, the manufacturing information and usage information can be linked via the specific information, and the manufacturing information of the column used by the user can be ascertained.

[0030] The usage information can be input to the user terminal 30 either manually by an operator or automatically by inputting pre-prepared usage information into the user terminal 30. Here, the usage information can be automatically input to the user terminal 30 by transmitting the usage information from the user's analytical device to the user terminal 30. In addition, the column-specific information can be automatically input to the user terminal 30 by reading the code information or electronic tag using a reading device as described above.

[0031] The timing for inputting the usage information into the user terminal 30 can be determined as appropriate. For example, every time a column is used, the usage information for that column can be input into the user terminal 30, or every time a predetermined number of columns are used, the usage information for these columns can be input collectively into the user terminal 30. The device information for the above-mentioned analytical device and the column-specific information can be input into the user terminal 30 in advance.

[0032] In step S105, the user terminal 30 transmits the input usage information to the column management server 10. Here, the user terminal 30 can transmit the input usage information to the column management server 10 every time a part of the usage information is input, or when multiple pieces of usage information are input, can transmit these pieces of usage information together to the column management server 10.

[0033] In step S106, the receiving unit 11 of the column management server 10 receives the usage information transmitted from the user terminal 30, and the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 stores the usage information received by the receiving unit 11 in the memory unit 13.

[0034] In step S107, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 determines whether the column is abnormal based on the usage information stored in the storage unit 13. A specific method of determination will be described later. If it is determined that the column is abnormal, the process proceeds to step S108, and if it is determined that the column is not abnormal, the process ends.

[0035] In step S108, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 generates anomaly information related to the abnormality of the column, and the transmitting unit 14 of the column management server 10 transmits the anomaly information generated by the processing unit 12 to a specific user terminal 30. Here, by linking the column usage information with the identification information of the user terminal 30, it is possible to identify the specific user terminal 30 and transmit the anomaly information to this user terminal 30.

[0036] The specific user terminal 30 includes the user terminal 30 of a user who uses the column that was the target of abnormality determination in the processing of step S107 (hereinafter referred to as the "target column"), and the user terminal 30 of a user who uses a column that is identified as the target column (hereinafter referred to as the "equivalent column"). In this embodiment, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the target column, it is determined that an abnormality may also have occurred in an equivalent column that is related to the target column, and abnormality information is also sent to the user terminal 30 of the user who uses the equivalent column.

[0037] The processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 can extract equivalent columns by searching the information stored in the storage unit 30. Specifically, the processing unit 12 can extract equivalent columns by taking into consideration the manufacturing information of the columns stored in the storage unit 13. The extraction conditions for equivalent columns include, for example, the manufacturing date of the column, the date of packing with the packing material, the person who packed the packing material, the packing conditions for the packing material, the inspection date when the column was inspected, the inspector, and the manufacturing lot, all of which are included in the manufacturing information. The extraction conditions can be determined in advance or can be selected arbitrarily.

[0038] Anomaly information containing different information can be sent to the user terminal 30 of the user using the target column and the user terminal 30 of the user using the equivalent column. Specifically, the anomaly information sent to the user terminal 30 of the user using the target column can include, for example, details of the anomaly occurring in the column in use, an instruction recommending column replacement, and contact information. On the other hand, the anomaly information sent to the user terminal 30 of the user using the equivalent column can include, for example, details of the anomaly that may occur in the column in use, an instruction recommending column replacement, a method for transmitting column usage information to the column management server 10, and contact information.

[0039] By sending abnormality information not only to the user terminal 30 of the user using the target column but also to the user terminal 30 of the user using the equivalent column, it is possible to prevent the continued use of a column in which an abnormality may occur.

[0040] In step S109, the user terminal 30 receives the abnormality information transmitted from the column management server 10.

[0041] In step S110, the user terminal 30 outputs the anomaly information received in the processing of step S109. The anomaly information may be output in any manner that allows the user to recognize a column in which an anomaly has occurred or a column in which an anomaly may occur, and may be, for example, displayed on a display or output as audio. By checking the anomaly information, the user can recognize that an anomaly has occurred in the column they are using, or that an anomaly may occur in the future.

[0042] Here, when the user terminal 30 of a user using the target column receives the anomaly information, the user can recognize that an anomaly has occurred in the column that the user is using. On the other hand, when the user terminal 30 of a user using an equivalent column receives the anomaly information, the user can recognize that an anomaly has already occurred in the column that the user is using, or that an anomaly may occur in the future.

[0043] In step S111, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 generates abnormality information indicating that the column is abnormal, and the transmitting unit 14 of the column management server 10 transmits the abnormality information generated by the processing unit 12 to the manufacturer terminal 20. The abnormality information transmitted to the manufacturer terminal 20 includes information about a specific user terminal 30.

[0044] In step S112, the manufacturer terminal 20 receives the abnormality information transmitted from the column management server 10.

[0045] In step S113, the manufacturer terminal 20 outputs the anomaly information received in the processing of step S112. The output of the anomaly information may be any method that allows the column manufacturer to recognize a column in which an anomaly has occurred or a column in which an anomaly may occur, for example, by displaying the anomaly information on a display or outputting the anomaly information by voice. By checking the anomaly information, the manufacturer can recognize that an anomaly has occurred in a column used by a specific user, or that an anomaly may occur in the future. This allows the manufacturer to contact the user directly.

[0046] (Column abnormality detection) Examples of methods for determining whether a column is abnormal include the following abnormality determination methods 1 to 7. Note that the methods are not limited to the following abnormality determination methods 1 to 7, as long as they can determine whether a column is abnormal or not.

[0047] (Abnormality determination method 1) Since measurements using a standard reagent are sometimes performed during routine column inspections, the measurement values ​​using the standard reagent can be included in the usage information, and whether or not the column is abnormal can be determined based on these measurement values. Specifically, the measurement values ​​using the standard reagent are compared with predetermined reference values, and if the difference (absolute value) between the measurement value and the reference value is equal to or greater than a threshold, the column can be determined to be abnormal.

[0048] Information about the reference value (reference information) can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10. When a column is abnormal, the measured value may be greater than the reference value by a threshold or more, or may be smaller than the reference value by a threshold or more.

[0049] (Abnormality determination method 2) The theoretical plate number calculated from the chromatogram can be included in the above-mentioned usage information, and whether or not the column is abnormal can be determined based on the theoretical plate number. Here, the theoretical plate number is an index that represents the sharpness of the peaks of each component in the chromatogram, and is expressed by the following formula (1).

number

[0050] In the above formula (1), TP is the number of theoretical plates, RT is the elution time of the peak of each component, and W 0.5 is the peak width (half-width) at half the height of each component's peak. Here, the sharper the component peak, the larger the theoretical plate number TP, and the broader the component peak, the smaller the theoretical plate number TP. When the column deteriorates, the separation ability of the column decreases, so component peaks tend to broaden and the theoretical plate number TP decreases.

[0051] The number of theoretical plates TP is calculated based on the above formula (1), and when the calculated number of theoretical plates TP is equal to or less than a reference value TPth (for example, 300 plates), it can be determined that the column is abnormal. Here, information (reference information) regarding the reference value TPth can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10.

[0052] On the other hand, by comparing the number of theoretical plates TPm calculated during use with the number of theoretical plates TPi calculated at the time of shipping the column, it is possible to determine whether the column is abnormal. Specifically, when the number of theoretical plates TPm is lower than the number of theoretical plates TPi by a predetermined value ΔTP or more, it is possible to determine that the column is abnormal. Here, the number of theoretical plates TPi can be included in the manufacturing information described above. Furthermore, information regarding the predetermined value ΔTP can be stored in advance in the memory unit 13 of the column management server 10.

[0053] (Abnormality determination method 3) The above-mentioned elution time RT can be included in the above-mentioned usage information, and it can be determined whether or not the column is abnormal based on the elution time RT. Specifically, the elution time RT is measured using a column to be determined to be abnormal, and if the difference between the measured elution time RTm and the elution time RTi when the column is shipped is equal to or greater than a predetermined time ΔRT, it can be determined that the column is abnormal.

[0054] Here, the elution time RTi can be included in the manufacturing information described above. Information regarding the predetermined time ΔRT can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10. When the column is abnormal, the elution time RTm may be shorter than the elution time RTi by at least the predetermined time ΔRT, or may be longer than the elution time RTi by at least the predetermined time ΔRT.

[0055] (Abnormality determination method 4) A chromatogram measured using the column to be determined to be abnormal can be included in the usage information, and whether the column is abnormal can be determined based on the chromatogram. Specifically, by comparing the measured chromatogram with a reference chromatogram, if at least one specified peak among multiple specified peaks is not detected in the measured chromatogram, it can be determined that the column is abnormal.

[0056] For example, when hemoglobin in blood is separated into six components (A1a, A1b, F, LA1c, SA1c, and A0) by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), specified peaks corresponding to the six components can be set. Furthermore, the specific specified peak described above can be, for example, the specified peak related to component SA1c. By assigning flag information to undetected specified peaks, the specified peaks can be more easily recognized.

[0057] On the other hand, when the elution time RT for a specific specified peak is shorter than a predetermined reference time RTth, it can be determined that the column is abnormal. Information about the reference time RTth (reference information) can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10.

[0058] Furthermore, when a peak different from a specified peak contained in a reference chromatogram is detected in a chromatogram measured using a column that is the subject of abnormality determination, the column can be determined to be abnormal.

[0059] Furthermore, if a chromatogram measured using a column to be detected as being abnormal shows that a specified peak is broken or deformed (broadened) compared to a reference chromatogram, the column can be detected as being abnormal.

[0060] (Abnormality determination method 5) The calibration information of the analytical device can be included in the usage information, and it is possible to determine whether the column is abnormal based on the calibration information. Typically, when a column is replaced, the analytical device is calibrated, and the calibration information is sometimes defined as a linear function. Here, it is possible to determine whether the column is abnormal by focusing on the slope and intercept of the linear function.

[0061] Specifically, when the slope of the linear function deviates from the normal slope (reference value) or when the intercept of the linear function deviates from the normal intercept (reference value), it can be determined that the column is abnormal. Here, information on the normal slope and intercept (reference information) can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10. Furthermore, in order to determine the deviation of the slope or the intercept, a tolerance can be set in advance, and information on this tolerance can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10.

[0062] (Abnormality determination method 6) The liquid delivery pressure when the column to be determined to be abnormal can be included in the usage information, and whether the column is abnormal or not can be determined based on this liquid delivery pressure. Specifically, if the liquid delivery pressure is lower than the liquid delivery pressure (reference pressure) when the column was used as shipped, it can be determined that the column is abnormal.

[0063] Normally, as a column continues to be used, the liquid delivery pressure increases from the liquid delivery pressure at the time of shipment, and therefore, if a liquid delivery pressure lower than the liquid delivery pressure at the time of shipment is detected, it indicates that an abnormality has occurred in the column. Here, information regarding the liquid delivery pressure at the time of shipment (reference information) can be included in the above-mentioned manufacturing information.

[0064] (Abnormality determination method 7) The number of times a column has been used can be included in the usage information, and whether or not a column is abnormal can be determined based on this number of times. Specifically, when the number of times a column has been used is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference number (e.g., 3,000 times), the column can be determined to be abnormal. If the number of times a column has been used is too many, the probability of an abnormality occurring in the column increases. Therefore, by determining the reference number in advance based on experimental results, it can be determined whether or not a column is abnormal. Information regarding the reference number (reference information) can be stored in advance in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10.

[0065] (Variation 1) A first modification of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. This modification is a process to be performed when a user recognizes that an abnormality has occurred in the column being used. The process of transmitting manufacturing information from the manufacturer terminal 20 to the column management server 10 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG.

[0066] In step S201, the user inputs abnormality information about the column being used into the user terminal 30. The user may become aware that some abnormality has occurred in the column being used, and in this case, the user can input the abnormality information into the user terminal 30. The abnormality information here may identify a specific abnormality in the column, or may simply identify that some abnormality has occurred. The abnormality information includes information specific to the column being used.

[0067] Anomaly information can be manually or automatically input to the user terminal 30. Here, if the user owns an anomaly detection device that detects an anomaly in a column, when the anomaly detection device detects an anomaly in a column, the anomaly detection device can automatically input the anomaly information to the user terminal 30.

[0068] In step S202, the user terminal 30 transmits the input anomaly information to the column management server 10. In step S203, the receiving unit 11 of the column management server 10 receives the anomaly information transmitted from the user terminal 30.

[0069] In step S204, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 extracts columns having the same manufacturing rod (hereinafter referred to as "same rod columns") from the information stored in the memory unit 13 based on the abnormality information received in the processing of step S203.

[0070] In step S205, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the same rod column extracted in the processing of step S204. The method for determining an abnormality is as described above. If it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the same rod column, the processing proceeds to step S206, and if it is determined that an abnormality has not occurred in the same rod column, the processing ends.

[0071] In step S206, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 identifies related items of manufacturing information for the same rod columns in which an abnormality has occurred. As described above, the manufacturing information includes the column manufacturing date, the packing date of the packing material, the person who packed the packing material, and inspection information (such as the inspection date and the inspector), and for each of these items, related items are identified for the same rod columns in which an abnormality has occurred. For example, by focusing on the manufacturing date of the same rod columns in which an abnormality has occurred, the manufacturing period of the columns can be identified as a related item of manufacturing information.

[0072] In step S207, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 searches the information stored in the storage unit 30 to extract columns that match the related items of the manufacturing information identified in the processing of step S206. For example, if the manufacturing period of a column is identified as the related item, columns having manufacturing dates that fall within this manufacturing period are extracted. By extracting columns that match the related items in this way, it is possible to extract columns that are related to the column in which an abnormality has occurred. The extracted columns are considered to have already experienced an abnormality or to be at risk of an abnormality occurring.

[0073] In step S208, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 generates anomaly information related to the abnormality of the column, and the transmitting unit 14 of the column management server 10 transmits the anomaly information generated by the processing unit 12 to a specific user terminal 30. Here, the specific user terminal 30 is a user terminal 30 owned by a user who uses the column extracted in the processing of step S207. The user terminal 30 to which the anomaly information is transmitted is different from the user terminal 30 to which the anomaly information is input in the processing of step S201.

[0074] The abnormality information transmitted to the user terminal 30 can include, for example, details of the abnormality that may occur in the column in use, instructions recommending column replacement, a method for transmitting column usage information to the column management server 10, and contact information for inquiries. This allows the user who receives the abnormality information to take action such as replacing the column they are using, or to make an inquiry to the manufacturer. Furthermore, by transmitting column usage information to the column management server 10 (steps S104 and S105 in FIG. 3 ), the user who receives the abnormality information can determine whether or not the column is abnormal based on this usage information.

[0075] (Variation 2) A second modification of this embodiment will now be described. In this modification, a user terminal 30 is used to search for column information stored in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10. For example, a user who has received abnormality information can search for a specific column, or a user can search for a column to determine whether an abnormality exists in a column that the user is using.

[0076] Fig. 5 shows an example of a column search input screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30. The column search input screen provides multiple search items for searching for columns. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the search items include column manufacturing date, column inspection date, column filling date, filling conditions, filler, column lot, column serial number (S / N), measurement sample, and measurement facility.

[0077] When a user inputs search content in at least one search item and selects a search button, search input information is transmitted from the user terminal 30 to the column management server 10. Upon receiving the search input information from the user terminal 30, the processing unit 12 of the column management server 10 extracts information that matches the search input information by referring to the information stored in the storage unit 13. The extracted information is then transmitted from the transmission unit 14 of the column management server 10 to the user terminal 30, and the user can check the search results on the user terminal 30.

[0078] 6 shows an example of a search result screen displayed on the display of the user terminal 30, where the search results are displayed in a list. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the display items of the search results include the column lot, column serial number (S / N), measurement sample (Sample), measurement value of the measurement sample, liquid delivery pressure, measurement facility, etc. Here, by selecting a desired column from the list and pressing the search button, detailed information about the column can be displayed.

[0079] As detailed column information, for example, information on the column being used by the user and information on the reference column can be displayed, as shown in Fig. 7. The display screen shown in Fig. 7 is provided with a chromatogram display area that displays overlapping chromatograms measured using the column being used and the reference column, and a comparison display area that displays a comparison of the production information, measurement information, chromatogram peak information, column information, and calibration information for the column being used and the reference column.

[0080] 7, an operation button is displayed for transmitting the latest measurement information of the column being used to the column management server 10. The information displayed in FIG. 7 is information stored in the storage unit 13 of the column management server 10, but the user can transmit the latest measurement information of the column being used by the user (i.e., information that is not stored in the storage unit 13) to the column management server 10.

[0081] In addition, the example shown in Fig. 7 displays an operation button for acquiring new information about the referenced column. By operating this operation button, you can change the information about the referenced column displayed in Fig. 7 and acquire new information about the referenced column.

[0082] The user can determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the column being used based on the display content shown in Fig. 7. That is, the user can determine whether an abnormality has occurred in the column being used by comparing the used column with the reference column. If the user determines that an abnormality has occurred in the column being used, the user can input abnormality information into the user terminal 30 as shown in Fig. 4.

[0083] Each function of the column management server 10 can be realized by a program. Specifically, a computer program prepared in advance to realize each function is stored in an auxiliary storage device, and a control unit such as a CPU reads the program stored in the auxiliary storage device into a main storage device, and the control unit executes the program read into the main storage device, thereby causing the column management server 10 to operate each function. Each function of the column management server 10 can be operated by an individual control device, or the column management server 10 can be configured by connecting multiple control devices to each other.

[0084] The above program can also be provided to a computer in a state in which it is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Examples of recording media include optical disks such as CD-ROMs, phase-change optical disks such as DVD-ROMs, magneto-optical disks such as MOs (Magnet Optical) and MDs (Mini Disks), magnetic disks such as floppy disks and removable hard disks, and memory cards such as CompactFlash (registered trademark), SmartMedia, SD memory cards, and memory sticks. Also included as recording media are hardware devices such as integrated circuits (e.g., IC chips) specially designed and configured for the purposes of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1: column management system, 10: column management server, 11: receiving unit, 12: processing unit, 13: Storage unit, 14: Transmission unit, 20: Manufacturer terminal, 30: User terminal

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives manufacturing information related to a column to be installed in the analytical device from a manufacturer terminal; a storage unit that stores the manufacturing information received by the receiving unit; a processing unit that refers to the manufacturing information stored in the storage unit to extract other columns that are related to the abnormal column, and generates abnormality information related to the abnormality of the column; a transmitting unit that transmits the anomaly information to a user terminal corresponding to the other column extracted by the processing unit; A column management server comprising:

2. the receiving unit receives usage information regarding the column from a plurality of user terminals; The column management server according to claim 1, wherein the processing unit determines whether a column is abnormal by comparing the usage information for multiple columns of the same type or by comparing the usage information with reference information, and identifies the abnormal column.

3. 3. The column management server according to claim 2, wherein the processing unit transmits the abnormality information to a user terminal corresponding to the abnormal column via the transmission unit.

4. The receiving unit receives information about the abnormal column from a user terminal, The column management server according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit identifies the abnormal column based on the information received by the receiving unit.

5. The column management server according to claim 1 , wherein the processing unit transmits the abnormality information to the manufacturer terminal via the transmission unit.

6. A program that causes a computer to execute the following process: receiving manufacturing information relating to a column to be installed in the analytical device from a manufacturer terminal; storing the received manufacturing information in a storage unit; extracting other columns related to the abnormal column by referring to the manufacturing information stored in the storage unit, and generating abnormality information related to the abnormality of the column; transmitting the anomaly information to the user terminal corresponding to the extracted other column; A program characterized by:

7. A column management server according to any one of claims 1 to 5; the manufacturer terminal communicably connected to the column management server; A column management system comprising:

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