Preparative Liquid Chromatograph Display for Multi-Condition Comparison

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional liquid chromatograph apparatuses require complex and error-prone operations to compare analysis results obtained under different preparative separation conditions, such as varying pH values of the mobile phase, making it difficult to determine optimal separation conditions efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A preparative liquid chromatograph apparatus with a result storage section, display-target selection receiver, and analysis result display processor that allows users to easily select and display analysis results for the same sample under different separation conditions on a single screen, reducing operational errors and improving comparison efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If conventional display functions are used to compare analysis results under different separation conditions, then multiple results can be displayed on the same screen, but the operations become complex and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomparison capabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The display screen is segmented into multiple result display areas, with each area dedicated to showing analysis results under specific separation conditions. This segmentation allows simultaneous display of multiple chromatograms or mass spectra without requiring complex selection operations, as each condition's results are automatically assigned to appropriate display areas

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display function is designed to universally handle different types of analysis results (chromatograms, mass spectra) under different separation conditions (pH values, mobile phases) through a single integrated interface. The system automatically adapts the display based on the data being compared, eliminating the need for separate操作流程 for different comparison scenarios

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual selection operations are required for each result display area, then flexibility in selecting samples is achieved, but operational errors increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselection flexibilityVSAvoidoperational accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides automatic feedback by detecting which samples have been analyzed under different separation conditions and automatically populating the result display areas with the appropriate data. This feedback mechanism ensures that the correct results are displayed without requiring manual selection, thereby maintaining selection flexibility while eliminating operational errors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary organization of analysis results by separation conditions before display. Analysis results are pre-grouped and prepared in the backend system according to sample ID and separation conditions, so that when comparison is needed, the data is already arranged for optimal display without requiring manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple analysis results are displayed side by side, then comparison efficiency is improved, but the risk of incorrect operations and wrong sample selection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomparison efficiencyVSAvoidoperational error rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Different separation conditions are visually distinguished through color coding in the display interface. Each pH condition or mobile phase type is represented by a specific color scheme, making it immediately obvious which results correspond to which conditions. This visual differentiation prevents incorrect comparisons and reduces operational errors while maintaining high comparison efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system adds a dimensional organization to the display by arranging results not only side by side but also grouping them by separation conditions through visual hierarchies. This multi-dimensional arrangement allows operators to quickly identify and compare relevant results without the risk of comparing unrelated data sets

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS12153029B2Preparative liquid chromatograph apparatus and method for assisting determination of preparative separation conditions

Publication Date: 2024.11.26 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

In a preparative liquid chromatograph apparatus where a sample containing compounds temporally separated from each other by LC is introduced into a detector and a fraction collector to collect fractions of the sample each containing one or more compounds. A result storage section stores analysis results obtained for a plurality of samples by performing, for each identical sample, LC analyses under different separation conditions. A display-target selection receiver displays an analysis result display screen having a plurality of result display areas for individually displaying results of different LC analyses and a selection indication area for allowing a user operation for selecting one sample from a plurality of samples, and receives the user operation in the selection indication area. An analysis result display processor retrieves, from the result storage section, a plurality of analysis results corresponding to the selected sample, and displays the analysis results in the result display areas.