Method for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography apparatus

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a computer implemented method (600) for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography apparatus (100), the chromatography apparatus comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising obtaining usage data (610), the usage date being at least indicative of historical usage of the plurality of components of the chromatography apparatus, obtaining recipe data (620) indicative of one or more upcoming batches to be processed by the chromatography apparatus, obtaining expected usage of components of the chromatography apparatus associated to the one or more upcoming batches to be processed, and predicting (630) one or more maintenance events of the chromatography apparatus using at least the historical usage and the expected usage.

Description

[0001] METHOD FOR PREDICTION OF MAINTENANCE EVENTS IN A CHROMATOGRAPHY APPARATUS

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography apparatus or system.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Bioprocessing systems are widely used, e.g., to perform chemical separation. An example of a bioprocessing system is a chromatography system. Chromatography is a well-known procedure for analyzing and separating chemical samples.

[0006] A full cycle of running the chromatography system according to a recipe is sometimes referred to as a chromatography run or a batch and may take a substantial time to complete.

[0007] Maintenance events are scheduled and performed on the chromatography system to ensure quality of the chemical samples and to avoid failure of components in the chromatography system. Failures of components may render the entire run failed, and the product must be discarded, which leads to increased costs.

[0008] A drawback of conventional solutions is that they generally assume a fixed relation between running hours of the chromatography system and wear of components of the chromatography system. Thus, maintenance events are predicted based on running hours of the chromatography system.

[0009] One disadvantage of such solutions is that components are replaced prematurely, and that downtime of the chromatography system is greater than it would need to be.

[0010] Another disadvantage of such solutions is the downtime of the chromatography system is not flexible.

[0011] Thus, there is a need for an improved method for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography system. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An objective of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a solution which mitigates or solves the drawbacks and problems described above.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] The above objective is achieved by the subject matter described herein. Further advantageous implementation forms of the invention are further defined herein.

[0015] According to a first aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a computer implemented method for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography apparatus, the chromatography apparatus comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising obtaining usage data, the usage data being at least indicative of historical usage of the plurality of components of the chromatography apparatus, obtaining recipe data indicative of one or more upcoming batches to be processed by the chromatography apparatus, obtaining expected usage data indicative of expected usage of the plurality of components of the chromatography apparatus associated to the one or more upcoming batches to be processed and predicting one or more maintenance events of the chromatography apparatus using at least the historical usage and the expected usage.

[0016] In one embodiment of the first aspect, predicting comprises comparing a reference usage for each of the plurality of components to the respective historical usage and expected usage.

[0017] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the predicted one or more maintenance events comprises a selection of cleaning events, calibration events, component replacement events or component refurbishing events.

[0018] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises determining a list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or determining a list of parts subject to refurbishing during a respective component refurbishing event and / or a list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

[0019] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises sending a message to a purchasing system, wherein the message indicates the list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or the list of parts subject to refurbishing event and / or the list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

[0020] In one embodiment of the first aspect, the method further comprises determining a first set of the one or more upcoming batches which can be completed before the earliest event of the one or more maintenance events, and a second set of the one or more upcoming batches which cannot be completed before the earliest event of the one or more maintenance events.

[0021] In one embodiment of the first aspect, determining the first set of the one or more upcoming batches further comprises moving batches from the first set to the second set depending on scheduled runtime and scheduled resources available at the scheduled runtime to complete component replacement events and / or refurbishing events and / or calibration events.

[0022] An advantage of the first aspect is that storage of the components and chemicals can be reduced.

[0023] Another advantage is that scheduling of the maintenance events is flexible instead of being run at fixed time, which enables control of downtime of the system in a more efficient and suitable way.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a computer, wherein the computer is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0025] According to a third aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a chromatography apparatus, wherein the chromatography apparatus is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a computer, when the computerexecutable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the computer, to perform the method according to the first aspect.

[0027] According to a fifth aspect of the invention, the objective is achieved by a computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program according to the fourth aspect embodied therein.

[0028] Further applications and advantages of embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Fig. 1 shows a chromatography system embodied as a chromatography apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0031] Fig. 2 illustrates prediction of maintenance events according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 3 illustrates an example of prediction of a maintenance event for a component according to one or more embodiments.

[0032] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of prediction of a maintenance event for a component according to one or more embodiments.

[0033] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of prediction of a maintenance event for a component according to one or more embodiments.

[0034] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] Fig. 7 shows a computer according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0036] A more complete understanding of embodiments of the invention will be afforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of additional advantages thereof, by a consideration of the following detailed description of one or more embodiments. It should be appreciated that like reference numerals are used to identify like elements illustrated in one or more of the figures.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] An “or” in this description and the corresponding claims is to be understood as a mathematical OR which covers ’’and” and “or”, and is not to be understand as an XOR (exclusive OR). The indefinite article “a” in this disclosure and claims is not limited to “one” and can also be understood as “one or more”, i.e. , plural.

[0039] Fig. 1 shows a chromatography system 100 embodied as a chromatography apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the disclosure.

[0040] The chromatography system 100 is configured to provide a desired system functionality, typically to receive input substances Sjnput_i , SinPut_2, > Sinput N and produce one or more desired

[0041] SUbStanCeS Soesiredl - , Soesired2. , SoesiredN-

[0042] In one example, the chromatography system 100 comprises a chromatography apparatus configured to separate a desired substance or sample Soesired from one or more input substances Si nput i to Sinput N, e.Q., different mixtures of the sample and a buffer compositions or resins.

[0043] The chromatography system 100 may comprise a selection of bioprocessing units, such as reservoirs 151-N, a column 141 , a splitter 170, a pH sensor 131 and a conductivity sensor 132. The chromatography system 100 in the form of a chromatography apparatus is described in further detail below.

[0044] The chromatography apparatus 100 may typically comprise at least one inlet 155. The inlet may optionally be coupled to one of the reservoirs 151-N configured to hold a fluid. It is understood that the chromatography apparatus 100 may comprise any number of reservoirs and corresponding inlets. The inlet 155 may e.g., be implemented as tubular elements such as a tube or hose. The chromatography apparatus 100 may further comprise a valve unit (not shown). The valve unit may be coupled to the reservoirs 151-N by the inlet 155 coupled to the fluid inlet 101. The valve unit may be configured to be coupled to a first column 141 by a first pair of fluid ports 130. The first column 141 may be comprised in the chromatography apparatus 100 or arranged external to the chromatography apparatus 100.

[0045] The chromatography apparatus 100 may further comprise an intelligent packing fluid port or packing fluid port 150 configured to be coupled to a packing port of the first column 141. The chromatography apparatus 100 may further comprise a waste fluid port 160 configured to be coupled to a waste reservoir or drain.

[0046] The chromatography apparatus 100 may further comprise a control unit 110 which comprises circuitry, e.g., a processor and a memory. The memory may contain instructions executable by the processor, whereby said chromatography apparatus is operative to perform any of the steps or methods described herein.

[0047] The chromatography apparatus 100 may optionally comprise a splitter 170 coupled to a selection of any of a pH sensor 131 , a conductivity sensor 132 and an outlet valve 120. The splitter 170 may be configured to direct fluid to the outlet valve 120 or any other unit. Optionally the splitter 170 may be communicatively coupled to the control unit and perform coupling of fluid in response to a control signal from the control unit 110.

[0048] The pH sensor 131 may be communicatively coupled to the control unit 110 and configured for measuring the pH of the fluid provided by the splitter 170. The chromatography apparatus 100 may further comprise a conductivity sensor 132 communicatively coupled to the control unit 110 and configured for measuring the conductivity of the fluid provided by the splitter 170. The pH sensor 131 and / or the conductivity sensor 132 may further be configured to provide the measured pH and measured conductivity as control signals comprising measurement data to the control unit 110.

[0049] The chromatography apparatus 100 may further comprise an outlet valve 120 coupled to the splitter 170. The outlet valve 120 may have one or more outlets or outlet ports 121-123 and is configured to provide the fluid provided by the splitter 170 to the one or more outlets 121-123 in response to a control signal, e.g., received from the control unit 110.

[0050] Fig. 2 illustrates prediction of maintenance events according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0051] As a base for the prediction, usage data, recipe data and expected usage data are obtained. The usage data may be obtained from a memory in the chromatography system or by receiving input from a user via an input device. The usage data is at least indicative of historical usage of components of the chromatography apparatus. The recipe data is indicative of one or more upcoming batches to be processed by the chromatography apparatus and the expected usage data is indicative of expected usage of the components of the chromatography device when processing the recipe. In some embodiments, the expected usage data is included in the recipe data. In some other embodiments, the expected usage data is stored in the memory in the chromatograph system. The generation of the expected usage data is described in details in the following. In one embodiment, the one or more upcoming batches are ordered in sequence, i.e. , scheduled to run one after the other in the chromatography system 100.

[0052] In one example, the usage data is indicative of historical values of run time of components, power on cycles of components, electric characteristics, such as resistance of PH sensors, calibration event X slope, calibration event X offset, calibration event X cell constant, count of UV flashes, count of UV flashes at high voltage, count of UV flashes at low voltage, grating motor turns, block filter motor turns, linearity calibration motor turns, valve openings and closings, pumped fluid volume, fluid pressure applied and UV lamp condition.

[0053] In one example, the expected usage varies depending on the recipe. In other words, usage data when performing a chromatography runs or batches is recorded over time for a particular recipe. The recorded data is then used to generate a statistical model linking a particular recipe to the usage data as the expected usage. The statistical model may be based on both known data and predicted data. Examples of such statistical models are geometric averages or trends accumulated over multiple chromatography runs. One or more different factors may be considered for the calculation of the expected usage, such as the chemicals used in the chromatography apparatus, materials of the components, temperature, frequency, pH value and pressure in the chromatography process etc.

[0054] One or more maintenance events of the chromatography device are then predicted using at least the historical usage and the expected usage. As mentioned, the expected usage is the usage that would, according to the statistical model, result from running the one or more upcoming batches in a predefined sequence. The predicted one or more maintenance events comprises a selection of cleaning events, calibration events, component replacement events or component refurbishing events.

[0055] In one embodiment, a list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or determining a list of parts subject to refurbishing during a respective component refurbishing event and / or a list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event is further determined. Additionally, or alternatively a message is further sent to a purchasing system, wherein the message indicates the list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or the list of parts subject to refurbishing event and / or the list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

[0056] Fig. 3 illustrates an example of prediction of a maintenance event 380 for a component according to one or more embodiments. In this embodiment, a reference usage or reference usage value 310 is also used for the prediction of the maintenance event of the component of the chromatography apparatus. The reference usage or reference usage value 310 may be obtained, e.g., from memory or received as input by a user via an input device. The reference usage may be indicative of usage of the component that can be subjected to before a maintenance event is required. In other words, the reference usage may be used to determine an earliest event of the one or more maintenance events. The reference usage may e.g., be derived from the statistical model described in relation to Fig. 2.

[0057] Further, the usage data, recipe data and expected usage data are obtained.

[0058] The historical usage data 320 for the component and the expected usage data 330-370 for the component associated to a respective batch is arranged along a usage axis II in a scheduled order defined by the recipe data. The reference usage 310 is then arranged along the same axis. The is then used to determine an earliest event 381 of the one or more maintenance events. In other words, an event of the one or more maintenance events that will occur first after a particular usage.

[0059] The prediction of the expected usage data 330-370 then comprises determining a first set S1 of the one or more upcoming batches which can be completed before the earliest event 381 of the one or more maintenance events, and a second set S2 of the one or more upcoming batches which cannot be completed before the earliest event 381 of the one or more maintenance events, is further determined.

[0060] In one example, the reference usage is indicative of expected lifetime of an Ultraviolet, UV, bulb component. The prediction then selects a first set S1 of batches from the one or more upcoming batches which can be fully completed before a maintenance event is required, in this case Batches 1-3 are selected. The prediction then selects a second set S2 of batches Batch 4-5, from the one or more upcoming batches which cannot be fully completed before a maintenance event is required, typically the earliest maintenance event 381. A predicted maintenance event is then determined as allowed usage at the end of the last batch in the first set S1.

[0061] The units of the axis II may be number of power on cycles of components, electric characteristics, such as resistance of PH sensors, calibration event X slope, calibration event X offset, calibration event X cell constant, count of UV flashes, count of UV flashes at high voltage, count of UV flashes at low voltage, grating motor turns, block filter motor turns, linearity calibration motor turns and UV lamp condition or any other type of usage described herein.

[0062] Fig. 4 illustrates an example of prediction of a maintenance event 480 for a component according to one or more embodiments. In this embodiment, a reference usage or reference usage value 310 is obtained for the component of the chromatography apparatus, e.g., from memory or received as input by a user via an input device. The reference usage may be indicative of usage of the component that can be subjected to before a maintenance event is required. In other words, the reference usage may be used to determine an earliest event of the one or more maintenance events. The reference usage may e.g., be derived from the statistical model described in relation to Fig. 2.

[0063] Further, a work schedule is obtained. The work schedule is indicative of daytime and nighttime shifts.

[0064] Further, the usage data, recipe data and expected usage data are obtained.

[0065] The historical usage data 320 for the component and the expected usage data 330-370 for the component associated to a respective batch is arranged along a usage axis U in a scheduled order defined by the recipe data. The reference usage 310 is then arranged along the same usage axis. In this example, the usage axis is a time axis.

[0066] The prediction then comprises determining a first set S1 of the one or more upcoming batches which can be completed before the earliest event 481 of the one or more maintenance events, and a second set S2 of the one or more upcoming batches which cannot be completed before the earliest event 481 of the one or more maintenance events, is further determined.

[0067] In this example, determining the first set of the one or more upcoming batches further comprises moving batches from the first set to the second set depending on the work schedule, i.e. , the predicted maintenance event 380 in Fig. 3, including Batch 1-3 falls at a night shift, and the predicted maintenance event 480 is therefore moved to the scheduled end of Batch 2. In other words, the predicted maintenance event 480 is then determined as allowed usage at the end of the last batch in the first set S1.

[0068] Fig. 5 illustrates another example of prediction of a maintenance event 580 for a component according to one or more embodiments. In this embodiment, a reference usage or reference usage value 310 is obtained for the component of the chromatography apparatus, e.g., from memory or received as input by a user via an input device. The reference usage may be indicative of usage of the component that can be subjected to before a maintenance event is required. In other words, the reference usage may be used to determine an earliest event of the one or more maintenance events. The reference usage may e.g., be derived from the statistical model described in relation to Fig. 2.

[0069] Further, a staffing schedule is obtained. The staffing schedule is indicative of a first period of high level of staffing and a second period of low level of staffing. In one example, eight people are working during the day shift and three people are working in the night shift.

[0070] Further, the usage data, recipe data and expected usage data are obtained.

[0071] The historical usage data 320 for the component and the expected usage data 330-370 for the component associated to a respective batch is arranged along a usage axis II in a scheduled order defined by the recipe data. The reference usage 310 is then arranged along the same usage axis. In this example, the usage axis is a time axis.

[0072] The prediction then comprises determining a first set S1 of the one or more upcoming batches which can be completed before the earliest event 581 of the one or more maintenance events, and a second set S2 of the one or more upcoming batches which cannot be completed before the earliest event 581 of the one or more maintenance events, is further determined.

[0073] In this example, determining the first set of the one or more upcoming batches further comprises moving batches from the first set to the second set depending on the staffing schedule, i.e., the predicted maintenance event 380 in Fig. 3, including Batch 1-3 falls in a period of low staffing level, and the maintenance event 580 is therefore moved to the scheduled end of Batch 2.

[0074] In other words, the predicted maintenance event 580 is then determined as allowed usage at the end of the last batch in the first set S1.

[0075] Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a method according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The method is a computer implemented method for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography apparatus, the chromatography apparatus comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising: Step 610: obtaining usage data, the usage date being at least indicative of historical usage of the plurality of components of the chromatography device.

[0076] In one example, the usage data is indicative of historical values of run time of components, power on cycles of components, electric characteristics of components, such as resistance of PH sensors, calibration event X slope of components, calibration event X offset of components, calibration event X cell constant of components, count of UV flashes of components, count of UV flashes at high voltage of components, count of UV flashes at low voltage of components, grating motor turns, block filter motor turns, linearity calibration motor turns and UV lamp condition.

[0077] Step 620: obtaining recipe data indicative of one or more upcoming batches to be processed by the chromatography device.

[0078] Step 630: obtaining expected usage of components of the chromatography device associated to the one or more upcoming batches to be processed.

[0079] Step 640: predicting one or more maintenance events of the chromatography device using at least the historical usage and the expected usage.

[0080] In one embodiment, predicting comprises comparing a reference usage for each of the plurality of components to the respective historical usage and expected usage.

[0081] In one embodiment, the predicted one or more maintenance events comprises a selection of cleaning events, calibration events, component replacement events or component refurbishing events.

[0082] In one embodiment, the method further comprises determining a list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or determining a list of parts subject to refurbishing during a respective component refurbishing event and / or a list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

[0083] In one embodiment, the method further comprises sending a message to a purchasing system, wherein the message indicates the list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or the list of parts subject to refurbishing event and / or the list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

[0084] An advantage of this embodiment includes that the need to store parts and chemicals is reduced. In other words, “just in case parts” and chemicals can be delivered just in time for the batch and are fresh to be used. An example of a just in time part is a pH electrode which has limited lifetime. Another advantage of this embodiment is that scheduling of the maintenance events is flexible instead of being run at fixed time, which enables control of downtime of the system in a more efficient and suitable way.

[0085] In one embodiment, the method further comprises determining a first set S1 of the one or more upcoming batches which can be completed before the earliest event of the one or more maintenance events, and second set S2 of the one or more upcoming batches which cannot be completed before the earliest event of the one or more maintenance events.

[0086] Additionally, or alternatively determining the first set of the one or more upcoming batches further comprises moving batches from the first set to the second set depending on a work schedule and / or a staffing schedule.

[0087] Fig. 7 shows a computer 700 according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. The computer 700 may be in the form of e.g., a chromatography apparatus, a computer, a server, an on-board computer, a stationary computing device, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a handheld computer, a wrist-worn computer, a smart watch, a smartphone, or a smart TV. The computer 700 may comprise processing circuitry 712 communicatively coupled to a transceiver 704 configured for wired or wireless communication. The computer 700 may further comprise at least one optional antenna (not shown in figure). The antenna may be coupled to the transceiver 704 and is configured to transmit and / or emit and / or receive wired or wireless signals in a communication network, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G, 4G, 5G etc. In one example, the processing circuitry 712 may be any of a selection of a processor and / or a central processing unit and / or processor modules and / or multiple processors configured to cooperate with each-other. Further, the computer 700 may further comprise a memory 715. The memory 715 may e.g., comprise a selection of a hard RAM, disk drive, a flash drive or other removable or fixed media drive or any other suitable memory known in the art. The memory 715 may contain instructions executable by the processing circuitry to perform any of the steps or methods described herein. The processing circuitry 712 may be communicatively coupled to a selection of any of the transceiver 704 and the memory 715. The computer 700 may be configured to send / receive control signals directly to any of the above-mentioned units or to external nodes or to send / receive control signals via a wired and / or wireless communications network.

[0088] The wired / wireless transceiver 704 and / or a wired / wireless communications network adapter may be configured to send and / or receive data values or parameters as a signal to or from the processing circuitry 712 to or from other external nodes. In an embodiment, the transceiver 704 communicates directly to external nodes or via a wireless communications network.

[0089] In one or more embodiments the computer 700 may further comprise an input device 717, configured to receive input or indications from a user and send a user input signal indicative of the user input or indications to the processing circuitry 712.

[0090] In one or more embodiments the computer 700 may further comprise a display 718 configured to receive a display signal indicative of rendered objects, such as text or graphical user input objects, from the processing circuitry 712 and to display the received signal as objects, such as text or graphical user input objects.

[0091] In one embodiment the display 718 is integrated with the user input device 717 and is configured to receive a display signal indicative of rendered objects, such as text or graphical user input objects, from the processing circuitry 712 and to display the received signal as objects, such as text or graphical user input objects, and / or configured to receive input or indications from a user and send a user-input signal indicative of the user input or indications to the processing circuitry 712.

[0092] In a further embodiment, the computer 700 may further comprise and / or be coupled to one or more additional sensors (not shown in the figure) configured to receive and / or obtain and / or measure physical properties pertaining to the computer and send one or more sensor signals indicative of the physical properties to the processing circuitry 712.

[0093] In one or more embodiments, the processing circuitry 712 is further communicatively coupled to the input device 717 and / or the display 718 and / or the additional sensors.

[0094] In embodiments, the communications network communicate using wired or wireless communication techniques that may include at least one of a Local Area Network (LAN), Metropolitan Area Network (MAN), Global System for Mobile Network (GSM), Enhanced Data GSM Environment (EDGE), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, Long term evolution, High Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (W-CDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Bluetooth®, Zigbee®, Wi-Fi, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), LTE Advanced, IEEE802.16m, WirelessMAN-Advanced, Evolved High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA+), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE), Mobile WiMAX (IEEE 802.16e), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) (formerly Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) Rev. C), Fast Low-latency Access with Seamless Handoff Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (Flash-OFDM), High Capacity Spatial Division Multiple Access (iBurst®) and Mobile Broadband Wireless Access (MBWA) (IEEE 802.20) systems, High Performance Radio Metropolitan Area Network (HIPERMAN), Beam- Division Multiple Access (BDMA), World Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-MAX) and ultrasonic communication, etc., but is not limited thereto.

[0095] Moreover, it is realized by the skilled person that the computer 700 may comprise the necessary communication capabilities in the form of e.g., functions, means, units, elements, etc., for performing the present solution. Examples of other such means, units, elements and functions are: processors, memory, buffers, control logic, encoders, decoders, rate matchers, de-rate matchers, mapping units, multipliers, decision units, selecting units, switches, interleavers, de-interleavers, modulators, demodulators, inputs, outputs, antennas, amplifiers, receiver units, transmitter units, DSPs, MSDs, TCM encoder, TCM decoder, power supply units, power feeders, communication interfaces, communication protocols, etc. which are suitably arranged together for performing the present solution.

[0096] Especially, the processing circuitry of the present disclosure may comprise one or more instances of a processor, processor modules and multiple processors configured to cooperate with each-other, Central Processing Unit (CPU), a processing unit, a processing circuit, a processor, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a microprocessor, a Field- Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other processing logic that may interpret and execute instructions. The expression “processing circuitry” and / or “processing means” may thus represent a processing circuitry comprising a plurality of processing circuits, such as, e.g., any, some or all of the ones mentioned above. The processing means may further perform data processing functions for inputting, outputting, and processing of data comprising data buffering and device control functions, such as call processing control, user interface control, or the like.

[0097] In one embodiment, a computer is provided, wherein the computer is configured to perform any of the method steps of the method described herein.

[0098] In one embodiment, a chromatography apparatus and / or system is provided, the chromatography apparatus and / or system comprising all or a selection of the features of the computer described in relation to Fig. 7. The chromatography apparatus or system is configured to perform any of the method steps of the method described herein.

[0099] In one embodiment, a computer program is provided comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a computer, when the computer-executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the computer, to perform any of the method steps of the method described herein. In one embodiment, a computer program product is provided comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program above embodied therein.

[0100] In one embodiment, a carrier containing the computer program above is provided, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, optical signal, radio signal, or computer readable storage medium.

[0101] Finally, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but also relates to and incorporates all embodiments within the scope of the appended independent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A computer implemented method (600) for prediction of maintenance events in a chromatography apparatus, the chromatography apparatus comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising: obtaining (610) usage data, the usage data being at least indicative of historical usage of the plurality of components of the chromatography apparatus, obtaining (620) recipe data indicative of one or more upcoming batches to be processed by the chromatography apparatus, obtaining (630) expected usage of the plurality of components of the chromatography apparatus associated to the one or more upcoming batches to be processed, predicting (640) one or more maintenance events of the chromatography apparatus using at least the historical usage and the expected usage.

2. The method (600) according to claim 1 , further comprising: obtaining reference usage for each of the plurality of components, wherein the predicting one or more maintenance events comprises comparing the reference usage for each of the plurality of components to the respective historical usage and expected usage.

3. The method (600) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the predicted one or more maintenance events comprises a selection of cleaning events, calibration events, component replacement events or component refurbishing events.

4. The method (600) according to claim 3, further comprising determining a list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or determining a list of parts subject to refurbishing during a respective component refurbishing event and / or a list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

5. The method (600) according to claim 4, further comprising sending a message to a purchasing system, wherein the message indicates the list of parts subject to replacement during a respective component replacement event and / or the list of parts subject to refurbishing event and / or the list of chemicals required to perform a calibration event.

6. The method (600) according to any of the preceding claims further comprising: determining a first set of the one or more upcoming batches which can be completed before the earliest event of the one or more maintenance events, and a second set ofthe one or more upcoming batches which cannot be completed before the earliest event of the one or more maintenance events.

7. The method (600) according to claim 6, wherein determining the first set of the one or more upcoming batches further comprises moving batches from the first set to the second set depending on scheduled runtime and / or scheduled resources available at the scheduled runtime to complete component replacement events and / or refurbishing events and / or calibration events.

8. A computer (700), comprising a processor and a memory, the memory comprising instructions, when the instructions are executed by the processor, causing the computer to perform the method (600) according to any of claims 1-7.

9. A chromatography apparatus (100), wherein the chromatography apparatus (100) is configured to perform the method (600) according to any of claims 1-7, and / or wherein the chromatography apparatus (100) comprises a computer (700) according to claim 8.

10. A computer program comprising computer-executable instructions for causing a computer(700), when the computer-executable instructions are executed on a processing unit comprised in the computer (700), to perform any of the method steps according claims 1-7.

11. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium having the computer program according to claim 10.

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