Liquid Chromatograph Control System for Method Scouting

Solution Overview

Problem

In liquid chromatography, method scouting involves creating numerous method files with various combinations of analysis parameters, leading to the inclusion of meaningless or inappropriate combinations, which wastes time, solvents, and samples, and can cause deposition issues.

Innovation Solution

A control system with a display section for selecting analysis parameter values, a grouping section to determine appropriate combinations, and a file-creating section to generate method files only with valid parameter combinations, preventing inappropriate solvent mixtures and reducing unnecessary analyses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If numerous method files with various combinations of analysis parameters are created for method scouting, then the comprehensiveness of parameter exploration is improved, but the time and resources required for analysis increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomprehensiveness of parameter explorationVSAvoidtime required for method scouting

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of analysis parameters into groups based on their relationships before creating method files. This preliminary organization allows the system to systematically explore parameter combinations while avoiding redundant or incompatible pairings, thereby reducing the overall time required for method scouting while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The analysis parameters are segmented into distinct groups based on their interrelationships and compatibility. By dividing the parameter space into manageable segments, the system can efficiently explore each group's valid combinations without exhaustively testing all possible permutations across all parameters, thus reducing time while preserving comprehensiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Manufacturing precision

If all possible combinations of analysis parameters are tested, then the completeness of method evaluation is improved, but the waste of solvents and samples increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of method evaluationVSAvoidwaste of solvents and samples

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of analysis parameters into groups based on their relationships before creating method files. This preliminary organization allows the system to systematically explore parameter combinations while avoiding redundant or incompatible pairings, thereby reducing the overall time required for method scouting while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system extracts and identifies incompatible parameter combinations through the grouping mechanism and excludes them from method file generation. By removing invalid combinations from the test set, the system prevents waste of solvents and samples on meaningless analyses while maintaining completeness of valid method evaluation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If incompatible solvent combinations are included in method files, then the variety of analysis conditions is improved, but deposition problems occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of analysis conditionsVSAvoiddeposition problems

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary classification of analysis parameters into groups based on their relationships before creating method files. This preliminary organization allows the system to systematically explore parameter combinations while avoiding redundant or incompatible pairings, thereby reducing the overall time required for method scouting while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies preliminary anti-action by identifying incompatible solvent combinations through the grouping mechanism and preventing their inclusion in method files. This preemptive measure stops deposition problems before they can occur by excluding harmful parameter combinations from the analysis conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS9976998B2System and method for controlling liquid chromatograph

Publication Date: 2018.05.22 SHIMADZU CORP

AI summary

Provided is a liquid chromatograph control system for controlling an operation of a liquid chromatograph according to a method file containing a plurality of analysis parameters representing configuration items which determine operational conditions of the liquid chromatograph, including: a) a display section for displaying, for each of the analysis parameters, selectable values of the analysis parameter on a condition-setting screen; b) a grouping section for allowing a user to prepare grouping information for the values of the analysis parameter displayed on the condition-setting screen, the grouping information determining whether or not one value of one analysis parameter and one value of another analysis parameter can be included in one group; and c) a file-creating section for extracting, from the values of the analysis parameters, such values that can be included in one group according to the grouping information, and for creating a method file containing the extracted values.