JP7540078B2 - Analysis system, analysis method, and program for analysis system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an analytical system, an analytical method, and a program for an analytical system using liquid chromatography.

An example of this type of analysis system is shown in Patent Document 1, which separates and analyzes a liquid sample using a device that uses the principles of liquid chromatography (a liquid chromatograph), then fractionates the liquid sample using a fraction collector and drops the fractions one after another into multiple wells provided on a plate, and then analyzes the dropped liquid sample using an analysis device that uses a different principle, such as Raman spectroscopy.

When configuring the operation of a fraction collector in this type of analysis system, it is necessary to set the range of the liquid sample separated by the liquid chromatograph to be collected and the well on the plate into which it will be dropped. Conventionally, when configuring this type of operation, it was difficult to understand the correspondence between the range of the liquid sample to be collected and the drop position on the plate, and users had to adjust the drop position on the computer while taking careful notes, making it difficult to use.

International Publication No. 2014/027652

Therefore, the main objective of the present invention is to provide an analytical system that is easy to use and in which the correspondence between the range of liquid sample collection by the fraction collector and the dropping position can be easily understood.

That is, the analytical system according to the present invention comprises a liquid chromatograph that separates and analyzes a liquid sample into its components, a fraction collector that fractionates the liquid sample that has passed through the liquid chromatograph and drips the fractionated fraction onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders, an analytical device that analyzes the sample components contained in the fractionated fraction dropped onto each of the sample holders, and a setting screen display unit that displays on a display a drip range setting screen for setting the range of the sample holders among the plurality of sample holders onto which the fractionated fraction is dripped by the fraction collector, wherein the setting screen display unit simultaneously displays on the drip range setting screen a setting chromatogram for setting the fractionation range of the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol having a plurality of sample holder symbols that mimic the sample holders, displays the fractionation range of the liquid sample on the setting chromatogram, and displays the sample holder symbol corresponding to the fractionation range on the sample holder symbol.

In such a device, a setting chromatogram for the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol modeled after the sample holder are displayed simultaneously on one screen, the liquid sample collection range is displayed on the setting chromatogram, and a sample holder symbol corresponding to this collection range is displayed on the sample holder symbol, making it easier for the user to visually grasp the correspondence between the liquid sample collection range and the position of the sample holder onto which the collection liquid is dropped, and making it easier than ever to set up the operation of the fraction collector.

It is preferable that, when a user selects a separation range for the liquid sample on the setting chromatogram, the analysis system displays the sample holder symbol corresponding to the selected separation range on the sample holder symbol in a manner distinguishable from other sample holder symbols that do not correspond to the selected separation range, and, when a user selects a sample holder symbol on the sample holder symbol, the separation range corresponding to the selected sample holder symbol is displayed on the setting chromatogram.
In this way, it is possible to know how much of the sample holder will be used for the selected collection range of the liquid sample, and further, it is possible to know which range of the liquid sample will be dropped onto the selected sample holder.

The analysis system preferably includes a memory unit that stores drip start position information regarding the position of the sample holder at which dripping of the separation liquid is started and drip amount information regarding the amount to be dripped onto each of the sample holders, and is configured to determine the sample holders onto which the separation liquid is to be dripped based on a separation range on the setting chromatogram selected by a user and the stored drip start position information and drip amount information, and to reflect this in the sample holder symbol on the sample holder symbol.
In this way, when setting the operation of the fraction collector, it is possible to grasp in more detail the extent to which the sample holder is used.

It is also preferable that the analysis system is configured to display an error message on the display if the number of sample holders determined by the dropping range determination unit exceeds the number of sample holder symbols that can be displayed within the sample holder symbol.
In this way, the user can know that the information about the set drip start position or drip amount is not appropriate, thereby improving usability.

Furthermore, it is preferable that the analysis system is configured so that a user can select the liquid sample separation range by moving a bar displayed on the setting chromatogram, and the appearance of the sample holder symbol displayed on the sample holder symbol changes in conjunction with the movement of the bar.
In this way, when the position of the bar on the screen is moved by a dragging operation or the like, the appearance of the sample holder symbol on the sample holder symbol changes, making it easier to visually grasp the correspondence between the liquid sample collection range and the sample holder onto which the collection liquid is dropped.

Moreover, it is preferable that the analysis system further comprises an analysis result display unit which displays an analysis result screen showing the analysis results, the analysis result display unit simultaneously displays an analysis chromatogram which is the analysis result of the liquid sample by the liquid chromatograph and the sample holder symbol, and when a user selects the fractionation range on the analysis chromatogram, the sample holder symbol corresponding to the selected fractionation range is displayed on the sample holder symbol in a manner distinguishable from other sample holder symbols which do not correspond to the fractionation range, and when a user selects a sample holder symbol on the sample holder symbol, the fractionation range corresponding to the sample holder symbol is displayed on the setting chromatogram.
In this way, when reviewing the analysis results, it is easy to grasp the correspondence between the fractionation range in the chromatograph obtained by the analysis and the sample holder into which the fractionated liquid has been dropped.

In this case, it is preferable that the analysis result display unit further displays the analysis results of the analysis device on an analysis result screen.

In the analysis system, it is preferable that the analysis device performs analysis by Raman spectroscopy.
In this manner, the sample components contained in the fractionated liquid that has been subjected to component separation by liquid chromatography are analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, thereby dramatically improving the detection sensitivity by Raman spectroscopy and making it possible to detect extremely trace components that cannot be detected by a Raman spectroscopic analysis device alone.

As a specific embodiment of the sample holder, it is preferable that the sample holder is a plate in which a plurality of wells are formed.
This makes it possible to more suitably use the device in combination with an analytical device using Raman spectroscopy.

The analytical method of the present invention is an analytical method using a liquid chromatograph that separates and analyzes a liquid sample into its components, a fraction collector that fractionates the liquid sample that has passed through the liquid chromatograph and drips the fractionated fraction onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders, and an analytical device that analyzes the sample components contained in the fractionated fraction dropped onto each of the sample holders, and is characterized in that a drip range setting screen for setting the range of sample holders among the plurality of sample holders to which the fractionated fraction will be dripped by the fraction collector is displayed on a display, a setting chromatogram for setting the fractionation range of the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol having a plurality of sample holder symbols that mimic the sample holders are simultaneously displayed on the drip range setting screen, the fractionation range of the liquid sample is displayed on the setting chromatogram, and the sample holder symbol corresponding to the fractionation range is displayed on the sample holder symbol.

Furthermore, the program for an analysis system according to the present invention is a program for use in an analysis system including a liquid chromatograph that separates and analyzes a liquid sample into its components, a fraction collector that fractionates the liquid sample that has passed through the liquid chromatograph and drips the fractionated fraction onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders, and an analysis device that analyzes the sample components contained in the fractionated fraction dropped onto each of the sample holders, and is characterized in that the program causes a computer to function as a setting screen display unit that displays on a display a drip range setting screen for setting the range of sample holders among the plurality of sample holders onto which the fractionated fraction is dripped by the fraction collector, and the setting screen display unit simultaneously displays on the drip range setting screen a setting chromatogram for setting the fractionation range of the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol having a plurality of sample holder symbols that mimic the sample holders, displays the fractionation range of the liquid sample on the setting chromatogram, and displays the sample holder symbol corresponding to the fractionation range on the sample holder symbol.

Such an analysis method and program for an analysis system can achieve the same effects as the analysis system described above.

Thus, according to the present invention, it is easy to understand the correspondence between the range of liquid sample collection by the fraction collector and the dropping position, thereby providing an easy-to-use analytical system.

1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an integrated management device in the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one example of a dripping range setting screen in the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing one aspect of an analysis result screen in the embodiment.

Reference Signs List 100: Analysis system S: Liquid sample SS: Separated liquid PL: Plate 10: Chromatograph 20: Fraction collector 30: Raman spectroscopic analyzer 50: Dropping range setting screen 51: Setting chromatogram S _PL : Plate symbol S _W : Well symbol

Below, an analysis system for one embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings.

The analysis system 100 of this embodiment performs LC-Raman analysis using both liquid chromatography and Raman spectroscopy, which is a type of so-called hyphenated technology.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, this analysis system includes a liquid chromatograph 10, a fraction collector 20, and a Raman spectrometer 30, and an integrated management device 40 that manages the settings of these devices, data analysis, and display of analysis results. The liquid chromatograph 10, the fraction collector 20, and the Raman spectrometer 30 each include control calculators 1C, 2C, and 3C, which are dedicated software for operating the respective hardware and analyzing data. The integrated management device 40 is configured to operate as overlay software, and the integrated management device 40 and the control calculators 1C, 2C, and 3C of each device work together to operate as a single analysis system 100.

Details of each device are provided.

The liquid chromatograph 10 separates and detects the components of the liquid sample S using liquid chromatography.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 1, the liquid chromatograph 10 is configured to separate the liquid sample S into its components by pumping the mobile phase Z stored in the storage section 11 up into the flow path 13 using a pump 12 and then injecting the liquid sample S into the flow path 13 and sending the liquid sample S together with the mobile phase Z to a separation column 14. A component detector 15 that detects the separated components of the liquid sample S is provided downstream of the separation column 14.

The mobile phase Z is, for example, a mixture of multiple types of liquids, and in this example, is a mixture of water and an organic solvent such as ethanol. However, the mobile phase Z may be a single liquid or a gradient solvent having a concentration gradient.

The liquid chromatograph 10 further includes an LC control calculator 1C that controls each device such as the pump P and generates a chromatogram of the liquid sample S based on the output of the component detector 15. This LC control calculator 1C is configured with a dedicated or general-purpose computer, and executes a program dedicated to the chromatograph stored in memory, and its functions are realized by the cooperation of each device.

As shown in FIG. 1, the fraction collector 20 is provided downstream of the component detector 15 of the liquid chromatograph 10, and collects the liquid sample S that has passed through the component detector 15 together with the mobile phase Z. In this embodiment, the fraction collector 20 is configured to drip a plurality of sample components collected from the liquid sample S into different wells W of a plate (a sample holder in the claims) PL in which a plurality of wells W (a sample holder in the claims) are formed in a matrix. In the following, the liquid collected by the fraction collector 20 on the plate PL is referred to as the collected liquid SS, and this collected liquid SS is a concept that includes not only a liquid containing a component derived from the liquid sample S in the mobile phase Z, but also a liquid consisting only of the mobile phase Z.

Describing the configuration of the fraction collector 20 in detail, it is equipped with a movable probe 21 connected to the outlet flow path of the component detector 15, and is configured to sequentially drip predetermined amounts of fractionated liquid SS into the wells W of the plate PL placed on the stage 22.

The fraction collector 20 also includes a stacker 24 in which multiple plates PL are stored. The stacker 24 is used to hold plates PL before the fractionation liquid SS is dripped into the wells W, or to hold plates PL until they dry after the fractionation liquid SS has been dripped into the wells W. A maximum of three plates PL can be placed on each of the three racks A, B, and C of the stacker 24. The plates PL are moved between the stacker 24 and the stage 22 by a transport mechanism (not shown).

In addition, the fraction collector 20 further includes a fraction control calculator 2C that controls the movable probe 21 and generates fraction information, which is information related to the dropping state of each well W of each plate PL. This fraction control calculator 2C is composed of a dedicated or general-purpose computer, and executes a program dedicated to the chromatograph stored in the memory, and its functions are realized by the cooperation of each device.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the fraction control calculator 2C includes at least a fraction control unit 2C1 that controls the position of the mobile probe 21 and the fractionation conditions (fractionation flow rate, fractionation time, etc.) of the fractionation liquid fractionated from the mobile probe 21 to the plate PL. The fraction control calculator 2C also includes a fraction information generating unit 2C2 that generates fraction information such as a predicted fraction result, which is the range of use of the well W in the plate PL when the fractionation liquid SS is dropped based on the fraction setting information input from the integrated management device 40, and a fraction result when the fractionation liquid SS is actually dropped onto the plate PL. Data related to the fraction information generated by the fraction information generating unit 2C2 is transmitted to the integrated management device 40. In the integrated management device 40, a correspondence relationship between the position of the well W to which the fractionation liquid SS is dropped and the area on the chromatogram is generated and stored.

Next, the Raman spectroscopic analyzer 30 will be described. The Raman spectroscopic analyzer 30 analyzes the sample components contained in the fractionated liquid SS, which has been dropped into a well W on a plate PL, by using Raman spectroscopy after the fractionated liquid SS has been dried. The plate PL is transported to the Raman spectroscopic analyzer 30 by the user after it has been dried in the fraction collector 20, but the plate PL may also be transported between the fraction collector 20 and the Raman spectroscopic analyzer 30 by an automatic work changer.

As shown in Figure 1, the Raman spectroscopic analysis device 30 includes a light irradiator 31 that irradiates excitation light such as laser light onto a well W on a plate PL that holds the separation liquid SS, a spectroscope 32 that disperses Raman scattered light generated from sample components contained in the separation liquid SS when irradiated with the excitation light, a Raman scattering light detector 33 that detects the dispersed Raman scattered light, and a camera 34 that takes a microscopic photograph of the well W to which light is being irradiated.

In addition, the Raman spectroscopic analysis device 30 further includes a Raman control calculator 3C that controls the position on the plate PL where the laser light emitted by the light irradiator 31 is irradiated, and generates a Raman spectrum based on the output of the Raman scattering light detector 33. This Raman control calculator 3C is composed of a dedicated or general-purpose computer, and executes a program dedicated to the Raman spectroscopic analysis device stored in the memory, and its functions are realized by the cooperation of each device.

Next, the integrated management device 40 will be described. The integrated management device 40 is connected to the LC control calculator 1C, the fraction control calculator 2C, and the Raman control calculator 3C via a wired or wireless network, and transmits and receives various information between each of the control calculators 1C, 2C, and 3C. Specifically, the integrated management device 40 is configured as a dedicated or general-purpose computer equipped with a CPU, memory, etc. The integrated management device 40 transmits setting information (chromatography setting information, fraction setting information, and Raman spectroscopy setting information, respectively) for setting analysis parameters, etc., to each of the control calculators 1C, 2C, and 3C, and also receives information regarding the analysis results obtained from each of the control calculators 1C, 2C, and 3C and the results of operations performed on the plate PL.

The integrated management device 40 performs at least the functions of an input receiving unit 41, a setting screen display unit 42, a setting information generating unit 43, a memory unit 44 and an analysis result display unit 45, as shown in FIG. 2, by cooperating with a CPU and other peripheral devices in accordance with the analysis system program stored in the memory.

The input reception unit 41 receives various inputs from the user via input devices such as a keyboard and mouse.

The setting screen display unit 42 displays a setting screen for each of the devices 10, 20, and 30 on the display DP in response to input from the user. For example, the setting screen display unit 42 displays a plate selection screen (not shown) for setting which plate PL set in the stacker 23 is to be used to collect the liquid sample S, and a drop range setting screen 50 for setting the drop range of the collected liquid by the fraction collector 20 (i.e., the range of the multiple wells W on the plate PL to which the collected liquid SS is dropped) as shown in FIG. 3 on the display DP. The user can make settings for each of the devices 10, 20, and 30 by inputting information on various setting screens displayed on the display DP.

The setting information generation unit 43 generates chromatography setting information, fraction setting information and Raman spectroscopy setting information related to the analysis based on user input on the setting screen, and transmits them to each device 10, 20 and 30, respectively.

For example, when the user inputs the necessary information on the drip range setting screen 50 and the drip settings are approved, the setting information generation unit 43 generates fraction setting information such as fraction collection parameters to be sent to the fraction collector 20. The generated fraction setting information is then sent from the integrated management device 40 to the fraction control calculator 2C, and the fraction control unit 2C1 controls each device of the fraction collector 20 to collect the sample components onto the actual plate PL.

In addition, the setting information generation unit 43 generates setting information (chromatograph setting information) for the liquid chromatograph 10 and setting information (Raman spectroscopy setting information) for the Raman spectroscopy analysis device 30 based on user input to the setting screen of the liquid chromatograph 10 and the setting screen of the Raman spectroscopy analysis device 30, and transmits this to each corresponding device 10, 30.

The storage unit 44 is set in a predetermined area of the memory and stores various information input by the user, various setting information generated by the setting information generation unit 43 (chromatography setting information, fraction setting information, Raman spectroscopy setting information), information on the analysis results and operation results received from each of the devices 10, 20, 30, and information on the plate PL being used, etc. The operation results include fraction information such as fraction results.

The analysis result display unit 45 displays an integrated analysis result screen 60 on the display DP based on the information recorded in the memory unit 44. Specifically, the analysis result display unit 45 references the analysis results and operation results received from each of the devices 10, 20, 30 recorded in the memory unit 44 to generate an analysis result screen 60, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, and displays it on the display DP. On this analysis result screen 60, at least a chromatogram (analysis chromatogram) of the liquid sample, which is the analysis result of the liquid chromatograph 10, and a Raman spectrum of the sample components, which is the analysis result of the Raman spectroscopic analysis device 30, are displayed side by side.

In this way, in the analysis system 100 of this embodiment, the settings of each device 10, 20, 30 required to start analysis can be made simply by inputting information into the integrated management device 40, and a series of analyses can be performed without operating dedicated software for each device 10, 20, 30, and the analysis results can be confirmed.

In the analytical system 100 of this embodiment, in order to make it easier to understand the correspondence between the collection range of the liquid sample S and the well W into which the collection liquid SS is dropped when setting the operation of the fraction collector 20, the setting screen display unit 42 is configured to simultaneously display a setting chromatogram 51 for setting the collection range of the liquid sample S and a plate symbol S _PL (corresponding to the sample holder symbol in the claims) that resembles a plate PL on the dropping range setting screen 50, and to display the collection range of the liquid sample S on this setting chromatogram 51, and to display a well symbol S _W (corresponding to the sample holder symbol in the claims) that resembles a well W into which the collection liquid SS is dropped corresponding to this collection range on the plate symbol S _PL .

To be more specific, the setting chromatogram 51 is, for example, a chromatogram that is the analysis result of another liquid sample whose sample components are similar to those of the liquid sample S to be analyzed, or a model created based on past analysis results of the liquid chromatograph 10, and is input in advance by the user and stored in the memory unit 44. On this setting chromatogram 51, two bars 52 are displayed that indicate the fractionation range (also called the fraction period) of the liquid sample S. The area between the two bars 52 indicates the fractionation range. The user can select the fractionation range by moving the position of the two bars 52 on the setting chromatogram 51 by a dragging operation or the like.

The plate symbol _SPL is a schematic plan view of the plate PL to be used. On the plate symbol _SPL , a plurality of well symbols SW simulating a plurality of wells _W are displayed in a matrix form so as to have the same number and arrangement as the actual plate PL. On the plate symbol SPL, a predicted dripping range of the separated liquid SS is displayed according to the separation range displayed on the setting chromatogram 51. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the dripping range on the plate _PL is displayed by changing the appearance (color, size, brightness, etc.) of the well symbol _SW , among the plurality of well symbols _SW , into which the separated liquid SS is predicted to be dripped.

When the user selects a dispensing range of the liquid sample S on the setting chromatogram 51 in this dropping range setting screen 50, the state of each well symbol _SW on the plate symbol _SPL changes accordingly, and the well symbol _SW corresponding to the selected dispensing range is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the other well symbols _SW . Conversely, when the user selects one or more well symbols _SW on the plate symbol _SPL , the position of the bar 52 moves accordingly on the setting chromatogram 51, and the dispensing range of the liquid sample S corresponding to the selected well symbol _SW is displayed.

Furthermore, the dripping range setting screen 50 is provided with input boxes B1 and B2 for inputting information on the position of the wells W where dripping of the fractionated liquid SS starts (dropping start position information) and information on the dripping amount (or dripping time) from the movable probe 21 to each well W (dropping amount information). When the user inputs the dripping start position and dripping amount into the input boxes B1 and B2 and changes the settings, the dripping range displayed on the plate symbol _SPL is changed taking these pieces of information into consideration. That is, in this embodiment, the range (number) of wells W to which the fractionated liquid SS is dripped is determined based on the fractionation range on the setting chromatogram 51 selected by the user and the input dripping start position information and dripping amount information, and this is reflected on the plate symbol _SPL . If the determined number of wells W exceeds the number that can be displayed on the plate symbol _SPL , an error message is displayed on the dripping range setting screen 50. Then, when the user confirms the setting of the drip range by, for example, clicking the Confirm button B3 displayed on this drip range setting screen 50, information regarding the setting of the drip range (dripping position, drip amount, drip start position, start time, etc.) is stored in the memory unit 44.

In the analysis system 100 of this embodiment, in order to make it easy to understand the correspondence between the collection range of the liquid sample S and the wells W into which the collected liquid SS has been dropped when checking the analysis results, the analysis result display unit 45 is configured to refer to information on the dropping position stored in the memory unit 44, and simultaneously display an analysis chromatogram 61, which is the analysis result of the liquid sample S by the liquid chromatograph 10, and a plate symbol S _PL imitating a plate PL on the analysis result screen 60, and to display the collection range of the liquid sample S on the analysis chromatogram 61, and to display the wells W into which the collected liquid SS has been dropped corresponding to this collection range on the plate symbol S _PL . Here, the plate symbol S _PL displayed on the analysis result screen 60 has the same form as the plate symbol S _PL displayed on the dropping range setting screen 50.

When the user selects an arbitrary fractionation range on the analysis chromatogram 61 on this analysis result screen 60, the appearance (e.g., color, etc.) of each well symbol _SW on the plate symbol _SPL changes accordingly, and the well symbol _SW corresponding to the selected fractionation range is displayed so as to be distinguishable from the other well symbols _SW . Conversely, when the user selects one or more well symbols _SW (e.g., the well symbol _SW of C1 in FIG. 4) on the plate symbol _SPL , the fractionation range corresponding to the selected well symbol _SW is displayed on the analysis chromatogram by displaying a bar 62, etc.

The analysis result screen 60 also simultaneously displays the analysis results of the Raman spectroscopic analyzer 30. Specifically, when a user selects one well symbol _SW from the plate symbol _SPL , a Raman spectrum for the fractionated liquid SS dropped into the well corresponding to the well symbol _SW and a microscope image 64 of the well W are displayed.

According to the analytical system 100 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the setting chromatogram 51 of the liquid sample S and the plate symbol S _PL are simultaneously displayed on the dropping range setting screen 50, the dispensing range of the liquid sample S is displayed on the setting chromatogram 51, and the wells W into which the fractionated liquid SS corresponding to this dispensing range is dispensed are displayed on the plate symbol S _PL . This allows the user to easily and visually grasp the correspondence between the dispensing range of the liquid sample S and the positions of the wells W into which the fractionated liquid SS is dispensed, and makes it easier to set the operation of the fraction collector 20 than in the past.

Furthermore, when the user selects a dispensing range of the liquid sample S on the setting chromatogram 51, the well symbol _SW corresponding to the selected dispensing range is displayed on the plate symbol S _PL in a manner distinguishable from the other well symbols _SW , and when the user selects a well symbol _SW on the plate symbol S _PL , the dispensing range corresponding to the selected well symbol _SW is displayed on the setting chromatogram 51, making it possible to grasp the extent to which the wells W will be used for the selected dispensing range of the liquid sample S, as well as to grasp which range of the dispensing liquid SS of the liquid sample S will be dropped into the wells W on the plate.

In addition, the analysis result screen 60 simultaneously displays the analysis chromatogram 61 of the liquid sample S and the plate symbol S _PL , and displays the collection range of the liquid sample S on the analysis chromatogram 61. The wells W into which the collection liquid SS corresponding to this collection range has been dropped are also displayed on the plate symbol S _PL . This makes it easy to grasp the correspondence between the collection range in the chromatograph obtained by analysis and the wells W into which the collection liquid SS has been dropped when reviewing the analysis results.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments.

For example, in the above embodiment, the analysis chromatogram 61 and the plate symbol _SPL are displayed side by side on the analysis result screen 60, but this is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the plate symbol _SPL may not be displayed on the analysis result screen 60. By displaying the analysis chromatogram 61 and the plate symbol S _PL side by side at least on the dropping range setting screen 50, the effect of the present invention can be achieved.

In the above embodiment, the user sets the fractionation range of the liquid sample S by moving the position of the bar 52 displayed on the setting chromatogram 51 on the drip range setting screen 50, but this is not limited to the above. For example, the fractionation range may be set by inputting the start time and end time of the fraction as numerical values in an input box provided on the drip range setting screen 50.

In addition, the analytical system 100 of the present invention only needs to be configured to separate the liquid sample S by liquid chromatography, and does not necessarily have to include, for example, a component detector 15 constituting the liquid chromatograph 10. In addition, the analytical system 100 of the present invention does not necessarily have to include a Raman spectroscopic analyzer 30, and may include an analyzer that analyzes the liquid sample S separated by liquid chromatography using the principles of, for example, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, or time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

In the above embodiment, the separation liquid SS is dropped into a plurality of wells W formed on the plate PL, but this is not limited thereto. In the analysis system 100 of the present invention, the separation liquid SS may be dropped onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders as a single unit. An example of such a sample holder is a sample holder that uses independent containers such as test tubes as sample holders and includes a plurality of containers and a test tube rack that can accommodate a plurality of these containers in a regularly arranged state. In addition, the sample holder in which a plurality of sample holders are integrated is not limited to a plate having wells as described above, and may be a plate on which a plurality of sample chips for placing samples on the surface are placed as sample holders. In addition, the sample holder does not have to have each sample holder fixed together.

There is no particular limit to the number of sample holding portions provided on one sample holder, but the greater the number (e.g., 50 or more, 100 or more, 200 or more), the more pronounced the effects of the present invention will be.

Needless to say, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use analytical system in which the correspondence between the range of collection of a liquid sample by a fraction collector and the dropping position thereof can be easily grasped.

Claims (11)

A liquid chromatograph that separates and analyzes a liquid sample into components;
a fraction collector that fractionates the liquid sample that has passed through the liquid chromatograph and drops the fraction onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders;
an analyzer for analyzing sample components contained in the fractionated liquid dropped into each of the sample holders;
a setting screen display unit that displays on a display a drip range setting screen for setting a range of the sample holders to which the fractionated liquid is dripped by the fraction collector, among the plurality of sample holders;
an analysis system in which the setting screen display unit simultaneously displays, on the dropping range setting screen, a setting chromatogram for setting a fractionation range of the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol having a plurality of sample holder symbols imitating the sample holders, displays the fractionation range of the liquid sample on the setting chromatogram, and displays the sample holder symbol corresponding to the fractionation range on the sample holder symbol. when a user selects a fractionation range of the liquid sample on the setting chromatogram, the sample holder symbol corresponding to the selected fractionation range is displayed on the sample holder symbol in a manner distinguishable from other sample holder symbols not corresponding to the selected fractionation range,
2. The analysis system according to claim 1, wherein when the sample holder symbol is selected on the sample holder symbol by a user, a fraction collection range corresponding to the selected sample holder symbol is displayed on the setting chromatogram. a storage unit configured to store drip start position information related to a position of the sample holder where dripping of the fractionated liquid is started and drip amount information related to an amount of the fractionated liquid dripped onto each of the sample holders;
3. The analysis system according to claim 2, wherein the sample holder onto which the separated liquid is dropped is determined based on a separation range on the setting chromatogram selected by a user and the stored dropping start position information and dropping amount information, and the determined sample holder symbol is reflected on the sample holder symbol. The analytical system of claim 3, further comprising: an error message displayed on the display if the determined number of sample holders exceeds the number of sample holder symbols that can be displayed on the sample holder symbol. A user moves a bar displayed on the setting chromatogram to select a range for dispensing the liquid sample;
5. The analysis system according to claim 1, wherein an aspect of the sample holder symbol displayed on the sample holder symbol changes in conjunction with the movement of the bar. An analysis result display unit that displays an analysis result screen showing the analysis result,
the analysis result display unit simultaneously displays an analysis chromatogram, which is the analysis result of the liquid sample by the liquid chromatograph, and the sample holder symbol;
when the fractionation range is selected on the analysis chromatogram by a user, the sample holder symbol corresponding to the selected fractionation range is displayed on the sample holder symbol in a manner distinguishable from other sample holder symbols not corresponding to the fractionation range,
The analytical system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when the sample holder symbol is selected by a user on the sample holder symbol, a fractionation range corresponding to the sample holder symbol is displayed on the setting chromatogram. The analysis system described in claim 6, wherein the analysis result display unit further displays the analysis results of the analysis device on an analysis result screen. An analysis system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the analysis device performs analysis by Raman spectroscopy. An analytical system described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the sample holder is a plate in which a plurality of wells are formed as the sample holder portion. An analytical method using a liquid chromatograph that separates a liquid sample into components and analyzes them, a fraction collector that fractionates the liquid sample that has passed through the liquid chromatograph and drops the fractionated fraction onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders, and an analytical device that analyzes sample components contained in the fractionated fraction dropped onto each of the sample holders, comprising:
displaying, on a display, a dripping range setting screen for setting a range of sample holders onto which the fractionated liquid is dripped by the fraction collector, among the plurality of sample holders;
a setting chromatogram for setting a fractionation range of the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol having a plurality of sample holder symbols imitating the sample holders are simultaneously displayed on the dropping range setting screen, the fractionation range of the liquid sample is displayed on the setting chromatogram, and the sample holder symbols corresponding to the fractionation range are displayed on the sample holder symbol. A program for use in an analysis system including a liquid chromatograph that separates a liquid sample into components and analyzes them, a fraction collector that fractionates the liquid sample that has passed through the liquid chromatograph and drops the fractionated liquid onto a sample holder having a plurality of sample holders, and an analysis device that analyzes sample components contained in the fractionated liquid dropped onto each of the sample holders,
causing the computer to function as a setting screen display unit that displays on a display a drip range setting screen for setting a range of the sample holders to which the fractionated liquid is dripped by the fraction collector, among the plurality of sample holders;
the setting screen display unit simultaneously displays, on the dropping range setting screen, a setting chromatogram for setting a dispensing range of the liquid sample and a sample holder symbol having a plurality of sample holder symbols imitating the sample holders, displays the dispensing range of the liquid sample on the setting chromatogram, and displays the sample holder symbols corresponding to the dispensing range on the sample holder symbol.

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