Chromatogram Display Time Axis Scaling for Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In separation analysis, particularly in medical diagnostics, later fractions in chromatograms tend to have broader bandwidths, leading to visual impairment and misinterpretation of clinical significance due to spread-out data in the latter part of the chromatogram.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced to alter the scale of the time axis for a predetermined period in chromatogram display, reducing the unit interval to improve visibility, which involves detecting peaks, determining the presence/absence of specific fractions, and adjusting the time axis scale accordingly, along with correcting output values to maintain area equality before and after alteration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the chromatogram displays all fractions with uniform time axis scale, then the complete separation data is shown, but the later fractions with broader bandwidths occupy major space and reduce visibility of significant clinical information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic scaling of the time axis in chromatogram display, where the scale is adjusted based on the position in the chromatogram. Specifically, the time axis scale is made variable rather than uniform, allowing compression of later time periods where fractions have broader bandwidths. This dynamic adjustment optimizes the visual representation by adapting the scale to the local characteristics of different time regions in the chromatogram.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality improvement by applying different time axis scales to different time periods within the chromatogram. Instead of using a single uniform scale for the entire chromatogram, the display system applies localized scaling factors to specific time regions. This allows early fractions to maintain their original scale while later fractions with broader bandwidths are displayed with compressed scaling, optimizing visibility for each region according to its specific characteristics.
2Loss of information
If the time axis scale is compressed for later periods, then visibility of significant fractions is improved, but the total time period coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the contradiction between visibility improvement and time period coverage by introducing a second dimension for time representation. Instead of compressing the time axis in a way that loses temporal information, the system uses dual time axes or layered time representation. The primary time axis maintains full coverage while a secondary scaled time axis provides enhanced visibility for later fractions, allowing both complete time period coverage and improved visibility to coexist through dimensional expansion.
Data Source
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AI summary
A novel method for displaying a chromatogram that is capable of displaying a chromatogram with improved visibility is provided. This is a method for displaying a chromatogram having a time axis as a horizontal axis, based on analysis data of a target object in a sample, the method including displaying a chromatogram in which the scale of the time axis for a predetermined time period is altered.