Liquid chromatograph device and control method for same

Abstract

Provided is a liquid chromatograph device that verifies that analysis processes to be executed are consistent with an analysis plan created on the basis of an analysis request but makes it possible to continue analysis when the analysis processes are not consistent with the analysis plan. According to the present invention, a liquid chromatograph device in which a plurality of separation columns are connected to passages of a separation unit comprises a first storage unit that stores analysis processes planned when analysis has been requested, the order of the analysis processes, and the separation column to be used for analysis, a second storage unit that stores analysis processes planned immediately before analysis is actually performed, the order of the analysis processes, and the separation column to be used for analysis, a comparison unit that compares what is stored at the first storage unit and the second storage unit, and a reporting unit that reports when the comparison unit has determined that what is stored at the first storage unit and the second storage unit is different.

Description

Liquid chromatograph apparatus and control method thereof

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid chromatograph and a control method thereof.

[0002] Automated analyzers that automatically analyze biological samples such as blood and urine are widely used in hospitals and testing centers. These automated analyzers create an analysis plan internally, determining which analyses to perform and in what order, based on doctor's orders regarding the items to be analyzed for samples collected from patients.

[0003] However, automated analyzers analyze different biological samples simultaneously and in parallel, and the actual analysis may differ from the original analysis plan due to the interruption of urgent specimens due to emergency patient care, etc. In such cases, there is a possibility that an abnormal process may be performed by mistake. Patent Document 1 describes a technology that compares the analysis plan created at the time of the analysis request with the actual analysis, verifies whether there was any abnormal process, and improves the reliability of the analysis process.

[0004] JP 2014-228289 A

[0005] Patent Document 1 does not take into consideration a liquid chromatograph device having multiple flow paths (streams) including separation columns. Therefore, if it is discovered that the analysis plan immediately before execution does not match the analysis plan planned based on the analysis request, the analysis may be continued without interruption by performing the analysis in a different stream.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid chromatograph that verifies whether there has been any abnormality in the analysis, improves the reliability of the analysis process, and reduces the risk of interrupting the analysis.

[0007] The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.

[0008] A liquid chromatograph apparatus having a plurality of separation columns connected to a flow path of a separation section, the liquid chromatograph apparatus comprising: a first memory section that stores the analytical processes planned when an analysis is requested, the order of the processes, and the separation columns to be used for the analysis; a second memory section that stores the analytical processes planned immediately before the analysis is actually performed, the order of the processes, and the separation columns to be used for the analysis; a comparison section that compares the contents of the first memory section with those of the second memory section; and an alarm section that, if the comparison section determines that the contents of the first memory section and those of the second memory section differ, notifies the user of this fact.

[0009] In addition, a feature of the present invention is that the analysis plan can be checked before the actual analysis is performed, and if there is a problem, it is possible to consider whether or not to modify the analysis based on the analysis plan. The technology described in Patent Document 1 is significantly different in effect from the present invention in that verification is performed after the analysis has already been performed.

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a liquid chromatograph that verifies whether there has been any abnormality in the analysis, improves the reliability of the analysis process, and reduces the risk of interrupting the analysis.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an apparatus status confirmation screen for a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for confirming processed samples in the pretreatment process and analysis process of a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for confirming processed samples in a separation column. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a mask setting screen for a separation column. A normal separation processing scheme for a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer. A separation processing scheme when the solvent ratio differs from the previous measurement. A separation processing scheme when there is a possibility of salt precipitation due to the previous measurement. Verification and confirmation flow according to Example 1. Verification and confirmation flow according to Example 2. A diagram showing an example of an analysis plan schedule planned at the time of an analysis request.

[0012] A liquid chromatograph and a control method thereof will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. In the drawings used in this specification, identical or corresponding components are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals, and repeated description of these components may be omitted.

[0013] A liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer in which a liquid chromatograph is combined with a mass spectrometer will be described below with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic overall configuration of the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 includes processing sections, namely a pre-processing section 21, a separation section 22 having a plurality of separation columns 23 for performing separation processing, and an analysis section 24, as well as a sample rack supply section 25 for supplying sample racks carrying one or more sample containers containing samples to be processed (analyzed) in these processing sections, a transport line 26, an ID reading section 27, an overall management computer 28, etc.

[0015] The sample rack supply unit 25 supplies sample racks that hold multiple sample containers. The sample containers held by the sample racks are provided with labels or barcodes on which sample IDs indicating attribute information about the blood samples (reception number, patient name, requested analysis items, etc.) are recorded. In addition, the sample racks themselves are provided with tags indicating rack IDs that indicate rack identification information such as rack numbers.

[0016] The sample rack placed on the sample rack supply unit 25 is transported by a transport line 26. At that time, information relating to the sample ID and sample rack ID is read by an ID reader 27 and sent to an overall management computer 28.

[0017] The transport line 26 transports the sample rack supplied from the sample rack supply unit 25 to the pre-processing unit 21 in the target liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 in accordance with an analysis request made by a user such as a laboratory technician or doctor.

[0018] The pretreatment unit 21 starts sample processing for the transported sample in accordance with the analysis request. The sample is dispensed, unnecessary substances in the extracted sample are removed by stirring or magnetic bead treatment, etc., and the sample is diluted according to the item. The processed sample is then transported to the separation unit 22.

[0019] When the specimen is dispensed, a schedule is made regarding the order and content of subsequent analyses of the specimen processed in the pretreatment section 21. Subsequent processing is carried out based on the planned schedule.

[0020] The specimen sample transported to the separation section 22 is pumped into each of the multiple separation columns 23 present within the separation section 22, corresponding to the analysis items. The specimen sample is passed through the separation columns 23 in the flow of mobile phase, and the components are separated by utilizing the difference in passing speed. The separation columns 23 to which the specimen sample is assigned are determined by a schedule determined at the time of dispensing.

[0021] The analyte sample and mobile phase flow from the separation unit 22 via a pump to the ion source of the analysis unit 24, where the analyte sample is ionized using an ionization method. At this time, only ions with a specific mass-to-charge ratio are selected and measured using a detector. The results measured by the detector are used to calculate the analysis results that are displayed to the user.

[0022] Hereinafter, details of the separation column 23 of the separation unit 22 will be described. The separation column 23 is a consumable item with a set number of uses and expiration date, and if either the number of uses or the expiration date exceeds the usable range, the column becomes unusable (hereinafter referred to as a mask).

[0023] As mentioned above, the separation column 23 has a set expiration date and a set number of times it can be used. Therefore, even when using a multi-stream liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 such as that of this embodiment, if multiple separation columns 23 need to be replaced at the same or similar times, sample analysis may not be able to continue, which may result in the device being shut down.

[0024] Therefore, it is necessary to present factors for determining the timing of replacement of the separation column 23 of the multi-stream liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 to the user and encourage the user to perform replacement.

[0025] Furthermore, when replacing a separation column 23 that has not yet expired without stopping the analytical operation, it is necessary to identify the specimens that are scheduled to undergo separation processing or are currently undergoing processing in that separation column 23 and present this information to the user.

[0026] The overall management computer 28 is a computer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc., and performs the control necessary for the analytical work of each device within the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1, such as the sample rack supply unit 25, transport line 26, ID reading unit 27, pre-processing unit 21, separation unit 22, and analysis unit 24.

[0027] For example, the overall management computer 28 determines an analysis schedule from the requested analysis items based on the attribute information read by the ID reading unit 27 and the device status.

[0028] The overall management computer 28 also controls the display of screens on the display device 30 that display various information such as information about the sample, information about the analysis items, and information about the analysis results. Furthermore, the overall management computer 28 controls the display of various screens related to the operation of the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1, such as an operation screen for starting the analysis, an analysis progress screen, a screen instructing the use of the separation column 23 corresponding to the analysis item when performing the analysis, and information about the usage status of the separation column 23. This overall management computer 28 corresponds to the control unit.

[0029] The overall management computer 28, particularly as a display control for managing sample processing information within the device during analysis on these various screens, determines whether an error has occurred in each separation column 23 (determination step), causes the display unit to display a workflow related to the separation unit 22, and identifies and displays the separation column 23 determined to have an error and the sample related to that separation column 23 (display step). At this time, the processing status of the identified sample can be displayed.

[0030] Here, the types of errors include, for example, the occurrence of an abnormality in the separation column 23 and a warning that the validity period of the separation column 23 is about to expire.

[0031] For example, if the error is an abnormality in the separation column 23, the overall management computer 28 identifies and displays the separation column 23 in which the abnormality occurred, and also identifies and displays the samples that are currently using or scheduled to use the separation column 23 as related samples.

[0032] Furthermore, if the abnormality is a warning that the expiration date of the separation column 23 is approaching, when the separation column 23 corresponding to the error is replaced during the analysis work, the separation column 23 to be replaced and the samples that are currently using or scheduled to use the separation column 23 as the related samples are identified and displayed. Details of these controls and displays will be described later.

[0033] This overall management computer 28 is further connected to an operation unit 29 consisting of a keyboard and mouse for inputting data, a display device 30 for displaying data, and a storage device 31 for storing analysis instruction information and measurement results.

[0034] The display device 30 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display that displays information related to the analysis results, the progress of the analysis, and the processing status within the device, including the usage status of the separation column 23. The display device 30 can be a touch panel type, and in this case, it also serves as the operation unit 29.

[0035] The storage device 31 is a recording medium such as a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or a magnetic disk such as an HDD that stores data related to samples input into the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 and analysis results. The storage device 31 also stores various computer programs for controlling the operation of each device in the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 and for executing various display processes, which will be described later.

[0036] The above is the configuration of the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1. The analysis process of a sample by the above-described liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 is generally carried out in the following order.

[0037] The operator uses the display device 30 and operation unit 29 to give analysis instructions to the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1. The analysis instructions are stored in the storage device 31 and are also transmitted to the modules (preprocessing unit 21, separation unit 22, and analysis unit 24) via the overall management computer 28. The target modules perform analysis operations in accordance with the received instructions.

[0038] Next, the instrument status confirmation display during analysis in the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 will be described with reference to Figure 2. First, the display flow of the instrument status confirmation screen 200 will be described. The liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 is controlled by the overall management computer 28, and the instrument status confirmation screen 200 in Figure 2 is displayed on the display device 30.

[0039] The operator uses the display device 30 and the operation unit 29 to issue an instruction to the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 to start the apparatus status confirmation screen 200. Based on this start instruction, the overall management computer 28 starts automatic confirmation of the apparatus status.

[0040] At this time, the automatic confirmation of the device status includes the processing status of the device's pre-processing unit 21, the processing status and number of uses of each separation column 23 in the separation unit 22, the processing status of the analysis unit 24, and the estimated time when the analysis will be completed.

[0041] Furthermore, information is obtained as to whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the pretreatment unit 21, each separation column 23 in the separation unit 22, or the analysis unit 24. This process corresponds to a determination step of determining whether or not an error has occurred in each separation column 23.

[0042] Next, the overall management computer 28 determines the colors to be used to display the device status confirmation screen 200 shown in FIG. 2 on the display device 30 in stages, and issues instructions to use the colors in accordance with the processing status.

[0043] Once the areas to be colored have been determined, the overall management computer 28 causes the display device 30 to update the screen showing the device processing status, and displays the device status confirmation screen 200 shown in Fig. 2. The device status confirmation screen 200 shown in Fig. 2 will now be described.

[0044] The instrument status confirmation screen 200 shown in Figure 2 is a screen intended to display the operating status and state of the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 and to identify the location of an abnormality if one occurs. In this embodiment, there are seven buttons of three types, and the color of each button indicates the instrument status. In addition, a process transition display 204 indicates the order of the analysis steps.

[0045] 2, the buttons representing the status of the apparatus, namely, a pretreatment section button 201, a plurality of separation column buttons 202, and an analysis section button 203, are displayed in the following color examples. The display can be as follows:

[0046] If the process and the separation column 23 are being performed normally, the number of times that the separation column 23 can be used before it becomes unusable is greater than the recommended number of times that the separation column 23 is to be replaced, and the expiration date is before the recommended replacement time, the separation column 23 is colored green.

[0047] When the number of times the separation column 23 has been used is within the range of the recommended number of times for replacement set for the separation column 23, or when the expiration date is within the recommended replacement period set for the separation column 23, or when both of these conditions are met, the separation column 23 is colored yellow.

[0048] A separation column 23 is colored red if its specified number of uses or expiration date has expired. A process or separation column 23 that is not performing processing is not colored. A process or separation column 23 that has stopped operating due to a sudden abnormality in the device, such as a clog, is colored orange. A separation column 23 that is not registered in the device is colored black. The screen is also updated based on information from the overall management computer 28 about the start and end of processing in each process or separation column 23.

[0049] In the apparatus status confirmation screen 200 of FIG. 2, the screen can be changed by pressing the pretreatment section button 201, the separation column button 202, and the analysis section button 203, respectively.

[0050] The screens displayed by screen transitions and the contents displayed on these screens will be described below with reference to Figures 3 to 5. Figure 3 shows an example of a screen for confirming the processed sample in the pretreatment process and analysis process, Figure 4 shows an example of a screen for confirming the processed sample in the separation column, and Figure 5 shows an example of a screen for setting the mask in the separation column.

[0051] 2, when the pre-processing unit button 201 is pressed, the overall management computer 28 displays a sample processing status confirmation screen 300 (FIG. 3) related to the pre-processing unit 21. This sample processing status confirmation screen 300, a sample processing status confirmation screen 400 (described later), and a mask setting confirmation screen 500 (FIG. 5) may be displayed by transitioning from the device status confirmation screen 200, or may be displayed as pop-ups on the device status confirmation screen 200, and are not particularly limited.

[0052] When the separation column button 202 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the overall management computer 28 displays a sample processing status confirmation screen 400 (FIG. 4) relating to the separation column 23.

[0053] Furthermore, since there are multiple separation columns 23, there are a corresponding number of separation column buttons 202, and so the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 also displays information related to the separation column 23 that was pressed, with the display content differing depending on each separation column button 202.

[0054] When the analysis unit button 203 in FIG. 2 is pressed, the overall management computer 28 displays a sample processing status confirmation screen 300 for the analysis unit 24 as shown in FIG.

[0055] The sample processing status confirmation screen 300 in Fig. 3 and the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in Fig. 4 show the sample processing status corresponding to the target process or the button of the separation column 23 pressed on the device status confirmation screen 200 in Fig. 2. This process corresponds to the display step of displaying the workflow related to the separation unit 22 on the display unit.

[0056] On the sample processing status confirmation screen 300 in FIG. 3 or the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4, the operator uses the display device 30 and the operation unit 29 to instruct the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 1 to display the sample processing status of the process.

[0057] Based on this start instruction, the overall management computer 28 starts checking the sample processing schedule.

[0058] Next, the overall management computer 28 automatically checks the device status. The overall management computer 28 determines the colors to be used to display the status of the device and the like in stages on the display device 30, such as the sample processing status confirmation screen 300 in FIG. 3 and the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4.

[0059] Then, the overall management computer 28 causes the display device 30 to update the screen showing the device processing status, and causes the sample processing status confirmation screen 300 in FIG. 3 and the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG.

[0060] The following describes the display contents of the sample processing status confirmation screens 300 and 400 shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the following description, the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 shown in Figure 4 will be used, but the sample processing status confirmation screen 300 also has similar contents.

[0061] The specimen processing status confirmation screen 400 is intended to confirm information such as the process corresponding to the button pressed on the device status confirmation screen 200 in Figure 2, information on the specimen processing status in the separation column 23, and which separation column 23 is scheduled to be used in the separation process.

[0062] The sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4 is also intended to provide the user with information for determining when to replace the separation column 23 and information on the type of each separation column 23.

[0063] Specimen processing information 401 (specimen processing information 301 in FIG. 3) is displayed on the specimen processing status confirmation screen 400 in Fig. 4. In this embodiment, the displayed contents include a "specimen ID," a "column position" as the connection position of the separation column 23, a "processing status" as the specimen processing status, and an "estimated end time" of the analysis processing as the schedule determined by the device at the start of processing.

[0064] "Sample ID" is the sample related to the separation column 23 that is the display target, and the ID of the sample that is currently using or will be using the corresponding separation column 23 is displayed.

[0065] The "processing status" is displayed as follows: When the target specimen is undergoing processing in the preprocessing step, analysis step, or separation column 23, "Processing in progress" is displayed. When the target specimen is undergoing processing in the previous step or separation column 23 and is scheduled to be processed in the step or separation column 23 corresponding to the currently displayed screen, "Processing planned" is displayed.

[0066] In addition, the status of the device can be displayed by coloring, and the coloring of the status can be the same as the coloring of each button in FIG.

[0067] The close button 402 (close button 302 in FIG. 3) is a button for closing the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4 and returning to the device status confirmation screen 200 in FIG.

[0068] The column type 403 is an area that is displayed only on the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4, and is used when confirming the type of the separation column 23 .

[0069] The column type 403 is intended to provide the user with information for each type of separation column 23 when replacing the separation column 23. This allows the user to check when replacing the separation column 23 with the same type.

[0070] The mask button 404 is a button that is displayed only on the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4, and is used when displaying the mask setting confirmation screen 500 in FIG. 5 for the corresponding separation column 23.

[0071] When the mask button 404 is pressed, the mask setting confirmation screen 500 is displayed, and the mask setting is performed by operating the screen, and the separation column 23 can be set to a removable state.

[0072] Normally, if an attempt is made to use the product beyond the set number of valid uses or expiration date, a mask setting is made to automatically stop use. In contrast, the mask button 404 is used to make the separation column 23 removable when replacement is desired before automatic mask setting, and is used when performing manual mask setting.

[0073] 2, when a separation column 23 that is stopped is selected on the device status confirmation screen 200, the sample processing information 401 on the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 is displayed, and the "Processing status" shows "Abnormality occurred," and no time is displayed in the "Estimated completion time." In this case, the "Sample ID" can be used to identify the samples currently using or scheduled to use the separation column 23 as the relevant samples.

[0074] In this case, too, the mask has already been masked, but in order to reliably notify the affected specimen, a mask setting confirmation screen 500 as shown in FIG. 5 can be displayed.

[0075] The remaining number of times the column can be used 405 is an area that is displayed only on the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4, and is used when checking the remaining number of times the separation column 23 can be used.

[0076] The remaining number of column uses 405 is calculated based on the number of valid uses set for the separation column 23 and the number of uses of the separation column 23. This can be provided to the user as information for determining when to replace the separation column 23. In this embodiment, the number of times is displayed in percentage, but the remaining number of valid uses itself can also be displayed.

[0077] The remaining column usage count 405 on the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4 makes it possible to prompt the user to replace the separation column 23 before it becomes masked, and to perform the replacement.

[0078] The sample processing status confirmation screen 300 in FIG. 3 and the sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in FIG. 4 can inform the user of the sample processing status and reservation status of each step and each separation column 23 for each sample ID using sample processing information 401 (sample processing information 301 in FIG. 3).

[0079] The sample processing status confirmation screen 400 in Figure 4 is a display that allows confirmation of the sample processing flow, confirmation of the separation column 23 to be used, the status of the device, the expected time for completion of sample processing, etc., not just when an abnormality occurs, and can be checked during analysis.

[0080] Similarly, the sample processing status confirmation screen 300 in FIG. 3 is a display that allows confirmation of the sample processing flow, the device status, the estimated time for completion of sample processing, and the like, not only when an abnormality occurs, but also for the pre-processing unit 21 and the analysis unit 24, and can be checked when the analysis is being performed.

[0081] The separation process scheme for a liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer is shown in Figure 6. A typical separation process consists of four major steps: an equilibration step in which a solvent is passed through the separation column until it is fully circulated; a separation step in which a sample is injected into the equilibrated separation column; an MS section introduction step in which the sample separated based on the elution time is introduced into the mass spectrometer; and a cleaning step in which the inside of the MS section is cleaned.

[0082] 7 shows the separation process steps when the solvent ratio (for example, the ratio of water to acetonitrile when performing gradient elution in reversed-phase mode, changing the water / acetonitrile composition from 90 / 10 to 50 / 50) is different from that of the previous measurement. A solvent replacement step is required before equilibration.

[0083] Furthermore, in the case of a solvent combination that may cause salt precipitation due to the influence of the immediately preceding measurement, it may be necessary to perform a step of column washing after solvent substitution, as shown in Figure 8, and then equilibration after further solvent substitution.

[0084] As such, the preparatory actions required for each measurement differ depending on the measurement conditions of the immediately preceding measurement and the next measurement, so it is important to have an analysis plan that determines the order in which the analyses will be performed.

[0085] An example of the analytical processes planned at the time of an analysis request, their order, and information on the separation columns to be used in the analysis is shown in Figure 11. Based on this information, the liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer schedules solvent replacement, equilibration, cleaning, etc.

[0086] After the scheduling, if an analysis is requested due to the input of an urgent sample, etc., the planned analysis process, its order, and the separation column used for the analysis may change. Therefore, the latest analysis plan should be confirmed before starting the analysis (preferably immediately before).

[0087] Figure 9 shows the flow for confirming the analysis plan. First, when an analysis request is received, the analysis process for the previous measurement, its order, and information on the separation column to be used for the analysis are stored (S901). Note that in the flowchart, the "S" that stands for "step" is omitted and only the number is used. The same is true for Figure 10.

[0088] Next, the analytical process for the next measurement, its order, and information on the separation column to be used for the analysis are stored (S902). The separation process is planned according to the relationship between the preceding and following analyses (S903). The planned information is stored (S904). The information stored in S904 is stored in a first storage unit provided in part of the storage area of ​​the storage device 31 in FIG. 1. Note that although the terms "first storage unit" and "second storage unit" are used hereinafter, the storage devices do not necessarily have to be separate hardware devices. For example, even if the storage area of ​​a single hard disk storage device is divided into a "first storage area" and a "second storage area" by software, these also correspond to the "first storage unit" and "second storage unit" as defined in the claims.

[0089] For example, the example shown by the dotted arrow on the right is an example where the separation treatment using the same solvent is consecutive, and therefore solvent replacement and washing after solvent replacement are not required.

[0090] Thereafter, when the actual measurement of this sample is to be performed, information on the separation process at the time of planning is read from the storage unit before the measurement (S905), and information stored as the current separation process is read (S906). The information read in S906 is information stored in a second storage unit provided as part of the storage area of ​​the storage device 31 in FIG. 1.

[0091] 9 is written as "information on separation processing during actual measurement," which means "at the timing when actual measurement is performed, immediately before measurement." This notation is used in FIGS. 9 and 10 because space is limited. That is, S907 in FIG. 9 and S1006 and S1007 in FIG. 10 have the same meaning.

[0092] Next, it is checked whether there is any discrepancy between the analysis process of the plan and the analysis process immediately before measurement (S907). This check is performed by the software program of the overall management computer 28 in Fig. 1. Although the term "collation unit" is used in the claims, in this embodiment there is no dedicated hardware called a collation unit, and the term "collation unit" refers to a part of the software program of the overall management computer 28. Of course, dedicated hardware called a collation unit may also be used.

[0093] If the separation process in the plan and the separation process in the actual measurement do not match (N: Mismatch), the notification unit notifies the mismatch (S908) and searches for another separation column (stream) that can be used for analysis under the same analysis conditions as the separation process in the plan (S909). In this embodiment, the display device 30 is used as the notification unit. If the collation unit determines that there is a mismatch, the display device 30 displays a message indicating this on its display screen to notify the operator. As a method of notification, an alarm may be sounded from a speaker attached to the display device to attract the operator's attention.

[0094] If there is a stream that can be analyzed, the analysis plan is changed to analyze that stream and the analysis continues (Y: Yes). If there is no stream that can be analyzed, the analysis is suspended (N: No). After going through this process, the analysis is performed and the analysis results are output (S910).

[0095] Another embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Steps S1001 to S1009 are the same as those in Fig. 9, so the description will be omitted.

[0096] If there is no separation column with the same analysis conditions in the other streams in S1009, the determination unit determines which washing operation to use for washing the analytical column, etc. (S1010). After the washing operation determined by the determination unit is executed, the analysis and results are output (S1011).

[0097] In this embodiment, the analysis cannot start until the cleaning operation is completed, so it takes longer to output the analysis results than in Example 1, but this is faster than interrupting the analysis. For specimens for which it is not a problem if it takes longer, it is useful to select the embodiment of Example 2.

[0098] It is preferable to have a setting function that allows the user to pre-set whether to interrupt the analysis of the sample as in Example 1, or to continue the analysis of the sample even after performing a cleaning operation as described in Example 2.

[0099] In this case, it may be possible to set whether to apply Example 1 or Example 2 to all samples at once, or it may be possible to automatically change the mode to be applied depending on the type of sample, such as applying Example 2 to urgent samples but applying Example 1 to general samples.

[0100] <Others> The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications and applications are possible. The above-described embodiment has been described in detail to clearly explain the present invention, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to having all of the described configurations.

[0101] 1...Liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer 21...Preprocessing unit 22...Separation unit 23...Separation column 24...Analysis unit (detection unit) 25...Sample rack supply unit 26...Transport line 27...ID reading unit 28...Overall management computer (control unit) 29...Operation unit 30...Display unit (display unit) 31...Storage device 200...Apparatus status confirmation screen 201...Preprocessing unit button 202...Separation column button 203...Analysis unit button 204...Processing transition display 300, 400...Sample processing status confirmation screen 301, 401...Sample processing information 302, 402...Close button 403...Column type 404...Mask button 405...Remaining number of times column can be used 500...Mask setting confirmation screen 501...Warning message 502...Execute button 503...Cancel button.

Claims

1. A liquid chromatograph apparatus in which multiple separation columns are connected to the flow path of the separation section, A first storage unit stores the planned analytical process, its sequence, and the separation column to be used for the analysis, as requested when the analysis is requested. A second memory unit stores the planned analysis process, its sequence, and the separation column to be used for the analysis, immediately before the actual analysis is performed. A comparison unit for comparing the contents of the first storage unit and the second storage unit, If the matching unit determines that the contents of the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different before the execution of the analysis process, the notification unit notifies the user of this fact before the execution of the analysis process. A liquid chromatograph apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. In the liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1, If the comparison unit determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, the verification unit checks whether there is a separation column in the second storage unit that is different from the separation column used for analysis and that can be processed according to the analysis stored in the first storage unit. If the confirmation unit finds that there is a separation column capable of analytical processing, the control unit controls the system to continue the analysis using that separation column. A liquid chromatograph apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features.

3. In the liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1, If the comparison unit determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, the verification unit checks whether there is a separation column in the second storage unit that is different from the separation column used for analysis and that can be processed according to the analysis stored in the first storage unit. If the confirmation unit finds that there is no separation column capable of performing the analysis, the control unit controls the system to interrupt the analysis of the sample for which analysis has been requested. A liquid chromatograph apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features.

4. In the liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 1, If the comparison unit determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, the verification unit checks whether there is a separation column in the second storage unit that is different from the separation column used for analysis and that can be processed according to the analysis stored in the first storage unit. If the confirmation unit finds that there is no separation column capable of performing analytical processing, the control unit controls the separation column to be used for analysis stored in the second storage unit to be prepared for analysis, including washing, so that the analysis stored in the second storage unit can be performed, and then to continue the analysis using the separation column. A liquid chromatograph apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features.

5. A control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus in which multiple separation columns are connected to the flow path of the separation section, The steps include storing the planned analytical process, its sequence, and the separation column to be used for the analysis in the first storage unit when the analysis is requested, The steps include storing the planned analysis process, its sequence, and the separation column to be used in the analysis in a second memory unit immediately before the actual analysis is performed, Before executing the analysis process, a comparison step is performed to compare the contents of the first storage unit and the second storage unit. If the comparison step determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, a notification step is performed to notify the system of this fact before the analysis process is executed. A method for controlling a liquid chromatograph apparatus, characterized by including the following:

6. In the control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 5, Furthermore, if the comparison step determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, the process includes a verification step to check whether there is a separation column in the second storage unit that is different from the separation column used for analysis and is capable of performing the analysis stored in the first storage unit. A control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus, characterized in that, if it is found in the confirmation step that there is a separation column capable of performing analytical processing, the analysis is continued using the said separation column.

7. In the control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 5, Furthermore, if the comparison step determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, the process includes a verification step to check whether there is a separation column in the second storage unit that is different from the separation column used for analysis and is capable of performing the analysis stored in the first storage unit. A control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus, characterized in that, if it is found in the confirmation step that there is no separation column capable of performing analytical processing, the analysis of the sample for which analysis has been requested is interrupted.

8. In the control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus according to claim 5, Furthermore, if the comparison step determines that the contents stored in the first storage unit and the second storage unit are different, the process includes a verification step to check whether there is a separation column in the second storage unit that is different from the separation column used for analysis and is capable of performing the analysis stored in the first storage unit. A control method for a liquid chromatograph apparatus, characterized in that, if it is found in the confirmation step that there is no separation column capable of performing analytical processing, analytical preparation including washing is performed on the separation column to be used for analysis stored in the second storage unit so that the analysis stored in the second storage unit can be performed, and then the analysis is continued using the separation column.