JP2006201064A - Chromatograph controller - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a chromatograph controller capable of preparing a method file, without depending on the device environment, and capable of dispensing with resetting for the method file by an operator, even when changing the device environment. <P>SOLUTION: This controller is provided with a method file preparing means for preparing the method file described with at least a set parameter value, as an analytical condition, a device parameter storage means for storing device parameters as to the plurality of kinds of devices, a device environment acquiring means for acquiring the device environment of a chromatograph in the present, and a set parameter value converting means for converting the set parameter values of the method file into a value suitable for the device environment in the present, using the device parameters under the device environment in the present stored in the device parameter storage means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a chromatograph control apparatus that performs automatic analysis by controlling a liquid chromatograph or a gas chromatograph.

  The chromatograph is composed of a plurality of units such as an autosampler, a pump, and a column oven, and automatic analysis is performed when each unit operates according to a control signal from a control device. Each of these units has its own device parameters such as pump flow rate, column oven temperature, autosampler needle stroke, etc., and the chromatographic controller has device parameter values (in the present invention, applied to the analysis). (This is called the setting parameter value) and other method files describing other analysis conditions etc. are created and stored in advance by the operator. Before starting the analysis, the vial number, sample name, and analysis of the sample to be analyzed When the operator sets a sample table in which the sample amount used for the method and the method file name used for analysis are set for each sample, the control of each unit based on the sample table and the method file is executed.

  In each unit constituting the chromatograph, there are various types of apparatuses depending on the purpose of analysis. In addition, since various types of sample vials for storing samples are used depending on the purpose of analysis, there are various types of sample trays for autosamplers on which sample vials are placed. For this reason, such an apparatus environment may differ between what was assumed at the time of method file creation and what was used for actual analysis. However, in such a case, with the conventional chromatograph control device, even if the setting parameter value described in the method file is not realizable in the actual device environment, the analysis proceeds as it is and is correct. Analysis results could not be obtained.

  Therefore, in order to solve such problems, the device environment for realizing the desired analysis is described in the method file together with the above set parameter values, and the actual device environment is obtained from the chromatograph at the start of analysis. Compared with the device environment described in the method file, a chromatographic control device has been developed that can interrupt the analysis operation as needed, or perform automatic analysis only on items that can be analyzed (patents) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-142222

  However, in such a chromatographic control apparatus, as a result of comparing the apparatus environment described in the method file with the current apparatus environment as described above, if it is determined that the environment cannot withstand analysis, An error message is displayed and the operation is interrupted. Therefore, each time the apparatus environment such as the type of each apparatus or the type of the sample tray is changed, it is necessary to reset the setting parameter value of the method file in advance, which causes a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that a method file can be created without depending on the device environment, and even if the device environment is changed, a chromatograph that does not require the operator to reset the method file. It is to provide a control device.

The chromatograph control apparatus according to the present invention made to solve the above problems includes a method file describing analysis conditions, a sample table describing a sequence of samples to be analyzed, a method file used for analyzing each sample, and the like. In the chromatograph control device that performs automatic analysis by controlling a plurality of units constituting the chromatograph according to
a) Method file creating means for creating a method file in which at least the setting parameter value is described as the analysis condition;
b) device parameter storage means for storing device parameters in a plurality of types of devices usable as each unit;
c) device environment acquisition means for acquiring the current device environment of the chromatograph;
d) setting parameter value conversion means for converting the setting parameter value of the method file into a value suitable for the current apparatus environment using the apparatus parameter in the current apparatus environment stored in the apparatus parameter storage means;
It is characterized by having.

  Here, the device parameters stored in the device parameter storage means are preferably the upper and lower limit values and / or default values of the device parameters in each device.

  Among the instrument parameters of each unit that constitutes the chromatograph, for example, the autosampler needle stroke (distance to lower the sampling needle when aspirating the sample) is changed when the instrument environment (in this case, the type of sample tray) is changed. In many cases, the setting parameter value must be changed.

  Therefore, in the chromatograph control device according to the present invention, the method file creation unit can describe an arithmetic expression for calculating a parameter value as a setting parameter value, and the setting parameter value conversion unit includes: A parameter value suitable for the current device environment is calculated from the arithmetic expression using upper and lower limit values of the device parameter in the current device environment stored in the device parameter storage means. Is desirable.

  With such a configuration, for parameters highly dependent on the device environment as described above, when creating a method file, an arithmetic expression for calculating a parameter value as a setting parameter value is described, The upper and lower limit values of the device parameters in the current device environment acquired by the device environment acquisition means are read from the device parameter storage means, and the parameter values suitable for the current device environment are obtained from the above arithmetic expression using the upper limit value or lower limit value. Calculate and apply to analysis.

  Of the apparatus parameters, the method parameter setting parameter values can often be applied to the pump flow rate, column oven temperature, etc. even if the type of apparatus changes.

Therefore, the chromatographic control apparatus according to the present invention can describe the apparatus environment for realizing the desired analysis by the method file creating means together with the setting parameter value.
e) device environment comparison means for comparing the current device environment with the device environment described in the method file;
f) When the current device environment is different from the device environment described in the method file, the setting parameter values stored in the method file are stored in the device parameter storage means for different parts of the device environment. Parameter value judging means for judging whether or not the value falls within the upper and lower limit values of the device parameters in the device;
Further comprising
The setting parameter value conversion means replaces the setting parameter value in the method file with the upper limit value or lower limit value of the current device parameter when the setting parameter value stored in the method file does not fit between the upper and lower limit values. It is more desirable to have a characteristic.

  In the case of such a configuration, for the device parameters having low dependency on the device environment as described above, the setting parameter value and the device environment for realizing the desired analysis are described in the method file, and the device parameter Compare the environment and the current device environment acquired by the device environment acquisition means, and for the places where the device environment is different, the setting parameter values described in the method file are the upper and lower limit values of the device parameters in the current device. Is determined by the parameter value determining means. As a result, if the setting parameter value of the method file exceeds the upper and lower limit values of the current device, the setting parameter value of the method file is replaced with the upper or lower limit value of the device parameter of the current device. Do.

Further, the chromatographic control device of the present invention further includes:
g) If the current device environment is different from the device environment stored in the method file and there is a setting parameter value that can be newly set in the current device environment, the current device environment stored in the device parameter storage means Parameter addition means for adding default values of device parameters in the device environment to the method file,
It is more desirable to be characterized by comprising.

  With the configuration as described above, even if the device environment is changed, the method parameter setting parameter value can be automatically converted into a value suitable for the current device environment for analysis. A method file can be created without depending on the type, and it is not necessary for the operator to redo the setting of the method file every time the apparatus environment is changed, and the efficiency of the setting operation in the automatic analysis can be improved.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described using embodiments.

[Example]
FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a chromatograph control device of this embodiment and a liquid chromatograph connected to the chromatograph control device. In addition, although the example which controls a liquid chromatograph is demonstrated here, the chromatograph control apparatus of this invention is applicable similarly to a gas chromatograph.

  The chromatographic control apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, an input unit 13 including a keyboard and a mouse, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15. The storage unit 12 stores upper and lower limit values / predetermined values that store upper and lower limit values and default values (default values) of apparatus parameters for a plurality of types of apparatuses (including sample trays) for each unit constituting the liquid chromatograph 20. A file and a plurality of method files created in advance by an operator are stored. The communication unit 15 transmits a control signal to the liquid chromatograph 20 and receives data indicating the current apparatus environment from the liquid chromatograph 20.

  The liquid chromatograph 20 controlled by the chromatograph control device 10 of this embodiment includes a solvent container 21, a pump 22, an autosampler 23, a column oven 24, and a detector 25. Among the device parameters related to these devices, parameters that are less dependent on the device environment, such as the flow rate of the pump 22 and the temperature of the column oven 24, are used for setting parameter values and analysis when creating the method file. Set the type of. On the other hand, for parameters that are highly dependent on the device environment, such as the needle stroke of the autosampler 23, when creating a method file, the device type is not specified, and the optimum parameter value for each device is set as the setting parameter value. An arithmetic expression for calculating is set. For example, in the case of the needle stroke of the autosampler 23, a setting of “not specifying the type of tray” is performed at the position where the apparatus type of the method file is specified, and the setting parameter value can be set for each tray. An arithmetic expression for calculating the needle stroke of the auto sampler 23 from the maximum value (or minimum value) of the needle stroke (for example, “(maximum value of needle stroke of each tray) −5 mm”) is input.

  Hereinafter, operation | movement of the chromatograph control apparatus 10 of a present Example is demonstrated using the flowchart of FIG. First, when the operator creates a sample table using the input unit 13 and stores it in the storage unit (S1) and instructs the start of analysis by a predetermined operation, the communication unit 15 causes the current device environment of the liquid chromatograph 20 to be stored. Is acquired and stored in the storage unit (S2). Subsequently, the method file to be applied to the analysis of the first sample specified in the sample table is read from the storage unit, and the upper and lower limit values of the device parameters in the current device environment are read from the upper / lower limit value / default value file. Using the upper and lower limit values read out, a setting parameter value suitable for the current device environment is calculated from an arithmetic expression for a parameter value highly dependent on the device environment described in the method file (S3). ). Subsequently, the device environment described in the method file is compared with the current device environment (S4). If the two match, the analysis for one sample is executed as it is (S9).

  As a result of comparing the device environments, if the device environments do not match, it is checked whether there is a setting parameter value that can be newly set in the current device environment (S5). If there is, the default value is read from the upper / lower limit value / default value file and added to the method file (S6). Subsequently, for parameters with low dependency on the device environment, the upper and lower limit values of the device parameters in the current device are read from the upper / lower limit value / default value file, and the setting parameter values described in the method file are the upper limit values. It is checked whether or not the value falls between the value and the lower limit value (S7). As a result, when the set parameter value of the method file is within the upper and lower limit values, the parameter value is applied as it is to execute the analysis (S9). When the parameter value exceeds the upper limit value If the set parameter value is the upper limit value in the current device and the parameter value is lower than the lower limit value, the set parameter value is changed to the lower limit value in the current device (S8) and the analysis is performed. (S9). When the analysis is completed, it is determined whether or not the analysis has been completed for all the samples (S10). If not completed, the process returns to S3 and the above operation is repeated.

  Although an example of comparing the device environment and converting the set parameter value every time one sample is analyzed has been described here, the device environment comparison and the set parameter value conversion are performed for all the samples described in the sample table. You may make it start an analysis after performing. In this case, when the conversion of the set parameter value is completed, it is desirable to display a list of changed parameters on the monitor so that the operator can easily confirm the changed contents. In addition, when the operator wants to make further changes, it is more preferable that the setting parameter value can be changed by performing a predetermined operation on the input unit.

  For parameters highly dependent on the device environment, as described above, an arithmetic expression is written in advance without specifying the device type in the method file, and the parameters are based on the upper and lower limits in the current device environment. In addition to the method of calculating the parameter value suitable for the device environment, the device type and setting parameter value are specified in the method file, and the device environment is compared as a result of comparing the device environment. If the environment is different, the default value of the device parameter in the current device environment may be read and replaced with the setting parameter value of the method file.

  Furthermore, since the number of sample vials that can be set in the autosampler also depends on the type of sample tray, the number of vials that can be loaded in the sample tray that is currently loaded in the autosampler and the number of samples to be analyzed described in the sample table It is desirable to compare the vial number and check that the value of the vial number is valid. At this time, if a vial number outside the range is set as the analysis target, an error message is displayed and the operator is prompted to change the setting of the sample table (the sample file is created at the time of analysis. (It is easier to change the setting compared to), but you can set the analysis to be performed only for the range mounted on the sample tray, or the vial number outside the range will be returned to the starting number for analysis It is more desirable that error display can be avoided by setting to execute. In this case, for example, vial numbers from 1 to 100 are specified as the analysis target in the sample table, but if only 50 vials can be loaded in the sample tray, the former setting is for the sample number 50. When the analysis is completed, the automatic analysis is terminated. In the latter setting, when the analysis of the sample No. 50 is completed, the sample is again aspirated from the vial mounted in the No. 1 position of the sample tray and the analysis is performed. If it is replaced with a vial, automatic analysis can be continued.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the principal part of the chromatograph control apparatus which is one Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the chromatograph control apparatus of the Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Chromatograph control apparatus 11 ... Control part 12 ... Memory | storage part 13 ... Input part 14 ... Display part 15 ... Communication part 20 ... Chromatograph 21 ... Solvent container 22 ... Pump 23 ... Autosampler 24 ... Column oven 25 ... Detector

Claims (6)

Chromatography that performs automatic analysis by controlling multiple units that make up the chromatograph according to the method file that describes the analysis conditions and the sample table that describes the order of samples to be analyzed and the method file that is used to analyze each sample. In the graph controller,
a) Method file creating means for creating a method file in which at least the setting parameter value is described as the analysis condition;
b) device parameter storage means for storing device parameters in a plurality of types of devices usable as each unit;
c) device environment acquisition means for acquiring the current device environment of the chromatograph;
d) setting parameter value conversion means for converting the setting parameter value of the method file into a value suitable for the current apparatus environment using the apparatus parameter in the current apparatus environment stored in the apparatus parameter storage means;
A chromatographic control device comprising:   2. The chromatograph control device according to claim 1, wherein the device parameters stored in the device parameter storage means are upper and lower limit values and / or predetermined values of device parameters in each device.   The method file creation means can describe an arithmetic expression for calculating a parameter value as a setting parameter value, and the setting parameter value conversion means stores the current device stored in the device parameter storage means. The chromatograph control device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a parameter value suitable for a current device environment is calculated from the arithmetic expression using upper and lower limits of device parameters in the environment. The method file creation means can describe an apparatus environment for realizing a desired analysis together with the setting parameter value,
e) device environment comparison means for comparing the current device environment with the device environment described in the method file;
f) When the current device environment is different from the device environment described in the method file, the setting parameter values stored in the method file are stored in the device parameter storage means for different parts of the device environment. Parameter value judging means for judging whether or not the value falls within the upper and lower limit values of the device parameters in the device;
Further comprising
The setting parameter value conversion means replaces the setting parameter value in the method file with the upper limit value or lower limit value of the current device parameter when the setting parameter value stored in the method file does not fit between the upper and lower limit values. The chromatographic control device according to claim 1, wherein Furthermore,
g) If the current device environment is different from the device environment stored in the method file and there is a setting parameter value that can be newly set in the current device environment, the current device environment stored in the device parameter storage means Parameter addition means for adding default values of device parameters in the device environment to the method file,
The chromatograph control device according to claim 4, comprising: Furthermore,
h) Sample number comparison means for comparing the number of samples described in the sample table with the number of sample vials that can be loaded in the current sample tray;
i) If the number of samples listed in the sample table is different from the number of sample vials that can be loaded in the current sample tray, perform analysis only for the range loaded in the sample tray, or out of range An analysis sample indicating means for instructing the chromatograph to return to the starting number and perform the analysis;
The chromatograph control device according to claim 1, comprising:

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