Chromatographic Fingerprint Evaluation via Integrated Peak and Area Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for evaluating the quality of multicomponent drugs, such as kampo medicines, are limited in accuracy due to focusing on specific components and chromatogram peaks, failing to efficiently associate all peaks, leading to inefficiencies in quality evaluation.

Innovation Solution

An evaluating method that integrates peak feature values and area segmentation feature values from chromatogram data to compare and evaluate target pattern integrated feature values against reference patterns, improving accuracy and efficiency by assigning peaks with high accuracy and using area segmentation to quantify remaining peaks as feature values.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If evaluation targets are limited to specific components or chromatogram peaks, then the evaluation process is simplified and faster, but the accuracy of multicomponent drug evaluation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation efficiencyVSAvoidevaluation accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the chromatogram into multiple peak regions and assigns each peak to a reference component. This segmentation allows systematic processing of all peaks while maintaining evaluation efficiency, resolving the contradiction between comprehensive evaluation and processing speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal evaluation system that handles all peaks in the chromatogram through a standardized peak assignment process. This multi-functional approach enables the system to evaluate both major and minor peaks using the same methodology, improving accuracy without sacrificing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If all peaks or almost all peaks are associated between multicomponent drugs, then evaluation accuracy is improved, but the complexity of peak assignment increases due to inter-drug variations and analysis errors

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidpeak assignment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces reference chromatograms as intermediaries between different multicomponent drug samples. These reference patterns serve as mediators that facilitate peak assignment by providing standardized comparison templates, reducing the complexity of direct peak matching between variable samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter changes by adjusting retention time windows and peak matching criteria dynamically. This allows the system to accommodate inter-drug variations and analysis errors while maintaining accurate peak assignment, reducing complexity through adaptive parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If peak intensity or peak elution time has no precise repeatability, then natural variation in multicomponent drugs is reflected, but accurate association of peaks from the same components between drugs becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenatural variation coverageVSAvoidpeak association accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary peak assignment by matching peaks to reference chromatograms before final evaluation. This preliminary action establishes a baseline association that accounts for natural variations, enabling accurate component identification even when peak intensities or elution times vary between samples.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where peak assignment results are continuously refined by comparing with reference patterns. This feedback loop adjusts for variations in peak intensity and elution time, maintaining accurate peak association despite natural drug variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach enhances the accuracy and efficiency of multicomponent drug evaluation by comprehensively comparing and evaluating all peaks, improving the assessment of drug quality beyond specific components, thereby ensuring higher precision and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

it apply chromatography to a multicomponent drug, obtain an ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum for each retention time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectChromatography: Chromatography

Implementation Method 2

obtain an ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum for each retention time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption Spectroscopy: Absorption Spectroscopy

Data Source

PatentEP2717050B1Method for evaluating pattern in a chromatographic fingerprint
Publication Date: 2021.12.29 TSUMURA & CO
  • EP2717050B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2717050B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2717050B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An object is to improve the accuracy and the efficiency of an evaluation of a multicomponent material. Provided are a target FP preparing step 173, a target FP peak assigning step 149, a target FP peak feature value preparing step 151, a target FP type-2 preparing step 153, a target FP area segmentation feature value preparing step 155, a target FP feature value integrating step 157, and an evaluating step 171, to prepare target FP integrated feature values by integrating target FP peak feature values and target FP area segmentation feature values, and to compare and evaluate the target FP integrated feature values and reference FP integrated feature values that correspond to the target FP integrated feature values and are based on a plurality of reference FPs of multicomponent materials as evaluation criteria.