Chromatogram Waveform Alignment for Accurate Background Subtraction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing chromatography methods suffer from inaccuracies due to deviations between analyte and reference chromatograms, leading to inaccurate analysis results despite baseline subtraction processing.

Innovation Solution

A waveform processing device and method that aligns sample and background chromatograms by matching their baselines using Dynamic Time Warping and deformation functions, followed by subtraction processing to exclude noise and variations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If baseline subtraction processing is performed without alignment, then processing simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to deviation between chromatograms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing simplicityVSAvoidanalysis accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment processor performs baseline alignment between the sample chromatogram and background chromatogram before the subtraction processor executes baseline subtraction. This preliminary alignment action ensures that corresponding points in both chromatograms are properly matched, thereby improving measurement precision without significantly complicating the overall processing workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If alignment processing is added before subtraction, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis accuracyVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The waveform processing device is divided into distinct functional modules: a sample chromatogram acquirer, a background chromatogram acquirer, an alignment processor, and a subtraction processor. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function independently, making the complex alignment and subtraction process more manageable and maintainable while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If alignment processing is performed, then reliability of analysis results is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional processing steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanalysis reliabilityVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The alignment processor replaces manual or mechanical baseline matching with an automated computational algorithm that can quickly identify and align corresponding points between chromatograms. This substitution of mechanical alignment with computational methods significantly reduces processing time while maintaining high reliability of analysis results.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12399162B2Waveform processing device for chromatogram and waveform processing method for chromatogram

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

A sample chromatogram produced by measurement of a mobile phase into which a sample has been injected is acquired by a sample chromatogram acquirer. A background chromatogram produced by measurement of a mobile phase into which a sample is not injected or a mobile phase into which a control sample is injected is acquired by a background chromatogram acquirer. Alignment of a sample chromatogram and a background chromatogram is performed by an alignment processor by causing of baselines of the acquired sample chromatogram and the acquired background chromatogram to coincide with each other. Subtraction processing of subtracting a background chromatogram from a sample chromatogram after alignment is executed by a subtraction processor.