Analytical Method Debugger for Laboratory System Porting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Analytical chemistry and laboratory systems face challenges in debugging methods due to incompatibilities between different systems, codependent parameters, and the time-consuming process of diagnosing and solving issues, which can lead to new problems when changes are made to address initial issues.

Innovation Solution

An analytical method debugger that identifies problems, links them to specific categories, and suggests remedies, allowing users to navigate directly to the location of the issue and update parameters to resolve issues, utilizing a rules database to manage codependencies and system capabilities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional debugging methods are used to diagnose and fix analytical method issues, then problems can be identified and resolved, but the process requires great time and effort and may introduce new problems when changes are made

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproblem resolution accuracyVSAvoiddebugging time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary validation by checking method parameters against system capabilities before the method is executed. The debugger identifies incompatibilities between imported methods and the current system in advance, allowing users to fix issues before they cause runtime problems, thereby reducing overall debugging time while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The debugger provides immediate feedback to users by displaying identified issues and their locations in the method. When users make changes to resolve issues, the system re-validates and provides feedback on whether the changes were successful or if new issues arose, enabling iterative refinement without time-consuming manual testing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Adaptability or versatility

If analytical methods are imported between different laboratory analytical systems, then method reusability is improved, but incompatibilities between systems cause problems in the imported method

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemethod portabilityVSAvoidmethod compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The debugger acts as an intermediary between the imported method and the current system. It translates and validates method parameters, identifying incompatibilities and guiding users through the process of adapting the method to the new system while maintaining its original functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Difficulty of detecting and measuring

If users manually navigate through method parameters to diagnose issues, then comprehensive problem identification is possible, but the process is time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveissue detection capabilityVSAvoiddiagnosis time

Core Design Contradiction:

Difficulty of detecting and measuringVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The debugger extracts and isolates specific issues from the complex method configuration. Instead of requiring users to manually examine all parameters, the system automatically identifies problematic parameters, extracts their specific issues, and presents them in a structured format with location information, dramatically reducing diagnosis time while maintaining comprehensive issue detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical navigation through method parameters with automated computational validation. The debugger automatically checks parameters against system capabilities and identifies incompatibilities, substituting the time-consuming manual inspection process with efficient automated analysis while maintaining thorough issue detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20230213539A1Methods, mediums, and systems for analytical method debugging

Publication Date: 2023.07.06 WATERS TECH IRELAND LIMITED IE

AI summary

Exemplary embodiments provide computer-implemented methods, mediums, and apparatuses configured to provide an interactive analytical method debugger for an analytical laboratory system. The analytical laboratory system may include a laboratory analytical device with a number of settings, parameters, etc. The laboratory analytical device may process a sample according to an analytical method that (among other things) defines a configuration for the device. The settings for the method may be organized into categories. The interactive debugger identifies problems with the method (e.g., incompatibilities, values out of range, etc.) and automatically allow the user to view the category of the method that is relevant to addressing the issue. Possible solutions may be proposed in the debugger interface, allowing the user to quickly identify and address the problem. Embodiments are particularly well-suited to situations where a method is ported from an old device to a new device.