JP7600865B2 - Analysis system and analysis method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an analysis system and an analysis method.

Chromatographs are known as analytical devices that separate and measure different components of substances contained in a sample. For example, in a liquid chromatograph, the sample to be measured is introduced into an analytical column together with a liquid mobile phase. The sample eluted from the analytical column is separated into components based on differences in chemical properties or composition, and detected by a detector. Patent Document 1 describes a liquid chromatograph equipped with six measurement blocks. Each measurement block includes an analytical column, etc. The six measurement blocks are used alternatively to measure the sample under multiple conditions.

JP 2018-169350 A

The liquid chromatograph described in Patent Document 1 can shorten the time required for a series of measurements and improve throughput. However, the operation of the liquid chromatograph in Patent Document 1 is more complicated than the operation of a liquid chromatograph with a single measurement block, and the analysis conditions or various settings of the device are cumbersome. Furthermore, when an abnormality occurs in the device, the cause may not be immediately identified, which places a burden on the user when performing analysis.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an analysis system and an analysis method with improved usability.

A first aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical system used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analytical system comprising: a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel; a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units; a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit; a calibration curve setting unit that accepts a selection between a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding individually to one or more channel units among the plurality of channel units, and a setting for creating a calibration curve commonly corresponding to two or more channel units; and a calibration curve creation unit that creates a calibration curve to be used in the channel unit based on the setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit and the sample guided to the channel unit related to the setting, each of the plurality of channel units including a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector , and the display control unit causes a screen indicating the setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit to be displayed on the display unit as the control screen .
A second aspect of the present invention is an analysis system used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, comprising: a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel; a flow path switching unit that selectively guides a sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units; a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit; a batch generation unit that generates a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information on a sample used in any of the channel units and analysis conditions; an analysis execution unit that controls operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit based on the batch file generated by the batch generation unit; and a power supply control unit. the display control unit causes a screen to be displayed on the display unit as the control screen for receiving settings for the sample supply unit, the detector and the mobile phase supply unit, which are to be powered off when execution of a batch file generated by the batch generation unit is completed, and for the mobile phase supply unit, which are to be powered off when the analysis execution unit is shut down; and the power control unit turns off the power of the sample supply unit, the detector or the mobile phase supply unit in accordance with the settings received on the control screen.
A third aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical system used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analytical system comprising: a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel; a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units; a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units; a batch generation unit that generates a batch file for controlling an analytical sequence based on information of a sample to be used in any of the channel units and analytical conditions; and an analysis execution unit that controls the operation of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit based on the batch file generated by the batch generation unit, wherein each of the plurality of channel units includes a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and the display control unit displays a table of the batch file generated by the batch generation unit and a flow path diagram showing the current connection state of the channel units, and causes the display unit to display a screen showing a part of the batch file corresponding to a current progress stage in the analytical sequence in a manner distinguishable from other parts as the control screen.
A fourth aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical system used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, comprising a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel, a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units, a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit, and a judgment unit that judges whether or not each channel unit is in an unusable state due to the occurrence of an error, wherein each of the plurality of channel units includes a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and the display control unit causes a screen that distinguishably shows a channel unit that is in an usable state and a channel unit that is in an unusable state due to the occurrence of an error to be displayed on the display unit as the control screen.
A fifth aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical system used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, comprising: a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel; a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units; a display control unit that causes the display unit to display a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units; a data processing unit that processes detection data of the sample by the detector; and a timing setting unit, wherein each of the plurality of channel units includes a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and the display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen showing a graph of the operation periods of the sample supply unit, any of the channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit as the control screen, and the timing setting unit sets the timing of sample injection by the sample supply unit, the timing of detection of the sample derived from any of the channel units by the detector, as well as a period for processing a signal output from the detector by detecting the sample in the data processing unit.

A sixth aspect of the present invention is an analysis system used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, comprising a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel, a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units, and an analysis control device, each of the plurality of channel units including a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analysis column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and the analysis control device controls a data processing unit, and controls the operation of the sample supply unit, any one of the plurality of channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit. The present invention relates to an analytical system including an input unit for inputting timing, a first control unit for controlling the sample supply unit to supply a sample, a second control unit for controlling the flow path switching unit so that the sample supplied by the sample supply unit is guided to any of the channel units, a third control unit for controlling the detector to detect the sample guided from any of the channel units, a fourth control unit for controlling the data processing unit to process detection data of the sample by the detector, and a main control unit for controlling the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit and the fourth control unit in accordance with the operation timing input to the input unit.

A seventh aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical method used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analytical method including: selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit; displaying a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit; accepting a selection between a setting for creating a calibration curve individually corresponding to one or more channel units among the plurality of channel units, and a setting for creating a calibration curve commonly corresponding to two or more channel units; and creating a calibration curve to be used in the channel unit based on the selected setting and the sample guided to the channel unit related to the selected setting , each of the plurality of channel units including a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector , and displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying a screen indicating the selected setting as the control screen on the display unit .
An eighth aspect of the present invention relates to an analysis method used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analysis method including: selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit; displaying a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit; generating a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information of a sample to be used in any of the channel units and analysis conditions; and controlling operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit based on the generated batch file by an analysis execution unit, wherein each of the plurality of channel units includes a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides it to the detector; and displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying, as the control screen, a screen for receiving settings of targets to be turned off when execution of the generated batch file is completed among the sample supply unit, the detector, and the mobile phase supply unit, and settings of targets to be turned off when the analysis execution unit is shut down; and turning off the power supply of the sample supply unit, the detector, or the mobile phase supply unit in accordance with the settings received on the control screen.
A ninth aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical method used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analytical method including: selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit; displaying a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit; generating a batch file for controlling an analytical sequence based on information of a sample to be used in any of the channel units and analytical conditions; and controlling the operation of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit on the basis of the generated batch file by an analytical execution unit, wherein each of the plurality of channel units includes a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying, as the control screen, a screen that shows a table of the generated batch file and a flow path diagram showing the current connection state of the channel units, and that shows a part of the batch file corresponding to a current progress stage in the analytical sequence in a manner distinguishable from other parts on the display unit.
A tenth aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical method used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analytical method including selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit, displaying a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit, and determining whether or not each channel unit is in an unusable state due to the occurrence of an error, each of the plurality of channel units including a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase, and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying, as the control screen on the display unit, a screen that distinguishably shows channel units that are in an usable state and channel units that are in an unusable state due to the occurrence of an error.
An eleventh aspect of the present invention relates to an analytical method used together with a sample supply unit that supplies a sample, a detector that detects the sample, and a display unit, the analytical method including: selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit; displaying a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit; and processing detection data of the sample by the detector by a data processing unit, each of the plurality of channel units including a mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase and an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guides them to the detector, and displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying a screen showing a graph of operation periods of the sample supply unit, any one of the channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit as the control screen on the display unit; and setting a timing of sample injection by the sample supply unit, a timing of detection of the sample derived from any one of the channel units by the detector, as well as a period for processing a signal output from the detector by detecting the sample in the data processing unit.

The present invention can improve the usability of the analysis system.

1 is a diagram showing a configuration of an analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the chromatograph in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of a channel portion in FIG. 2 . FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a chromatograph during pretreatment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a chromatograph during measurement. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a chromatograph during measurement. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of a chromatograph during measurement. 1 is a time flow diagram showing an operation procedure of a chromatograph. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an analysis control device. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks of an analysis execution unit in FIG. 9 . FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first control screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a second control screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a third control screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fourth control screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a fifth control screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a sixth control screen. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a seventh control screen. 4 is a flowchart showing an algorithm of an analysis process performed by the analysis control program. 4 is a flowchart showing an algorithm of an analysis process performed by the analysis control program.

(1) Configuration of the Analysis System An analysis system and an analysis method according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an analysis system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the analysis system 500 includes a chromatograph 100, a mass spectrometer 200, and a processing device 300. In this embodiment, the analysis system 500 is an LC-MS (liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer).

The chromatograph 100 includes an LC (liquid chromatograph). The configuration of the chromatograph 100 will be described later. The mass spectrometer 200 is used as a detector for the chromatograph 100. Instead of the mass spectrometer 200, an absorbance detector, a fluorescence detector, a differential refractive index detector, or the like may be used as a detector for the chromatograph 100.

The processing device 300 is composed of a control unit 310, a RAM (random access memory) 320, a ROM (read only memory) 330, a storage unit 340, an operation unit 350, a display unit 360, and an input/output I/F (interface) 370. The control unit 310, the RAM 320, the ROM 330, the storage unit 340, the operation unit 350, the display unit 360, and the input/output I/F 370 are connected to a bus 380. The control unit 310, the RAM 320, and the ROM 330 constitute the analysis control device 400.

The control unit 310 includes, for example, multiple CPUs (Central Processing Units). The RAM 320 is used as a working area for the control unit 310. The ROM 330 stores system programs. The storage unit 340 includes a storage medium such as a hard disk or semiconductor memory. The storage unit 340 stores an analysis control program for controlling the chromatograph 100 by the analysis control device 400.

The operation unit 350 is an input device such as a keyboard, mouse, or touch panel, and is operated by the user to make a specified input or selection to the analysis control device 400. The display unit 360 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays a specified GUI (graphical user interface), etc. The input/output I/F 370 is connected to the chromatograph 100 and the mass spectrometer 200.

Figure 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the chromatograph 100 in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the chromatograph 100 includes multiple (six in this example) channel sections 10, a low-pressure valve 110, a metering section 120, a cleaning liquid supply section 130, flow path switching sections 140, 150, 160, and a sample supply section 170. Hereinafter, when the multiple channel sections 10 are to be distinguished from one another, the multiple channel sections 10 will be referred to as channel sections 10A to 10F, respectively. The configuration of the channel sections 10 will be described later.

The low-pressure valve 110 and the flow path switching units 140, 150, 160 are, for example, multi-way switching valves. The low-pressure valve 110 has three ports 111 to 113, and ports 111 and 112 are configured to be selectively connectable to port 113. The metering unit 120 includes, for example, a syringe and a pump, and is connected to port 111 of the low-pressure valve 110. The metering unit 120 aspirates a specified amount of sample.

The cleaning liquid supply unit 130 includes, for example, a degassing device, a pump, and an opening/closing valve, and is connected to the port 112 of the low-pressure valve 110. The cleaning liquid supply unit 130 supplies the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid container 502 to each channel portion 10. In this embodiment, the cleaning liquid supplied to each channel portion 10 is the same liquid as the mobile phase of the channel portion 10.

The flow path switching units 140 and 150 are examples of flow path switching units. The flow path switching unit 140 has seven ports 141 to 147, and the ports 141 to 146 are configured to be selectively connectable to the port 147. The ports 141 to 146 are connected to the channel units 10A to 10F, respectively. The flow path switching unit 150 has seven ports 151 to 157, and the ports 151 to 156 are configured to be selectively connectable to the port 157. The ports 151 to 156 are connected to the channel units 10A to 10F, respectively. The port 157 is connected to the port 113 of the low pressure valve 110.

The configuration of the flow path switching unit 160 is similar to that of the flow path switching units 140 and 150. The flow path switching unit 160 has seven ports (not shown) that are connected to the channel units 10A to 10F and the mass spectrometer 200, respectively. The flow path switching unit 160 selectively guides the mobile phase containing the sample eluted from the multiple channel units 10 to the mass spectrometer 200 by switching the connections between the ports. In FIG. 2, the connection flow paths between each channel unit 10 and the ports of the flow path switching unit 160 are shown by dashed lines to make it easier to see the connection relationship.

The sample supply unit 170 is, for example, an autosampler, and includes a needle 171, a sample loop 172, and a drive unit 173. The needle 171 aspirates a sample from a sample container 501, and selectively injects the aspirated sample into a plurality of channel units 10. One end and the other end of the sample loop 172 are connected to the needle 171 and the port 147 of the flow path switching unit 140, respectively. The sample loop 172 holds a predetermined volume of sample aspirated by the needle 171. The drive unit 173 includes, for example, an actuator, and drives the needle 171.

The mass spectrometer 200 detects samples from each channel section 10 guided by the flow path switching section 160. In this embodiment, a single mass spectrometer 200 used in common by multiple channel sections 10 is provided as a detector, but the embodiment is not limited to this. Multiple detectors corresponding to the multiple channel sections 10 may be provided. In this case, the multiple detectors are each connected to the corresponding channel sections 10, so the chromatograph 100 does not include a flow path switching section 160.

Since the multiple channel parts 10A to 10F have the same configuration, the configuration of one channel part 10 will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the channel part 10 in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the channel part 10 includes a high-pressure valve 20, an injection port 30, an analytical column 40, and a mobile phase supply part 50. The configurations of the analytical column 40 and the mobile phase supply part 50 may differ for each channel part 10. In addition, the measurement conditions, such as the temperature of the analytical column 40 or the flow rate of the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply part 50, may differ for each channel part 10.

The high-pressure valve 20 has six ports 21 to 26, and is configured to be switchable between a first connection state and a second connection state. In the first connection state, ports 21 and 22 are connected, ports 23 and 24 are connected, and ports 25 and 26 are connected. In the second connection state, ports 22 and 23 are connected, ports 24 and 25 are connected, and ports 26 and 21 are connected. Port 21 is connected to the waste liquid device 504.

The injection port 30 is configured so that the needle 171 of the sample supply unit 170 can be inserted, and is connected to the port 22 of the high-pressure valve 20. The injection port 30 accepts the injection of the sample from the inserted needle 171. The analytical column 40 is housed in a column oven (not shown). One end and the other end of the analytical column 40 are connected to the port 23 of the high-pressure valve 20 and the flow path switching unit 160, respectively. The analytical column 40 separates the sample from the port 23 of the high-pressure valve 20 into components based on differences in chemical properties or composition, and elutes them into the flow path switching unit 160.

The mobile phase supply unit 50 includes a high-pressure pump and is connected to the port 24 of the high-pressure valve 20. The mobile phase supply unit 50 draws liquid mobile phase from the mobile phase container 503 and supplies the drawn mobile phase. The mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit 50 is pumped through the ports 24 and 23 of the high-pressure valve 20, the analytical column 40, and the flow path switching unit 160 to the mass spectrometer 200.

The flow path switching units 140, 150 are connected to ports 25, 26 of the high pressure valve 20 of each channel unit 10, respectively. Specifically, ports 141-146 (FIG. 2) of the flow path switching unit 140 in FIG. 2 are connected to ports 25 of the high pressure valve 20 of channel units 10A-10F, respectively. Ports 151-156 of the flow path switching unit 150 in FIG. 2 are connected to ports 26 of the high pressure valve 20 of channel units 10A-10F, respectively. The connection between the ports of the flow path switching units 140, 150 is switched so that a selected channel unit 10 of the channel units 10A-10F can be accessed.

For example, when channel section 10A is selected, ports 141 and 147 of flow path switching section 140 are connected, and ports 151 and 157 of flow path switching section 150 are connected. When channel section 10B is selected, ports 142 and 147 of flow path switching section 140 are connected, and ports 152 and 157 of flow path switching section 150 are connected. When channel section 10C is selected, ports 143 and 147 of flow path switching section 140 are connected, and ports 153 and 157 of flow path switching section 150 are connected.

When channel section 10D is selected, ports 144 and 147 of flow path switching section 140 are connected, and ports 154 and 157 of flow path switching section 150 are connected. When channel section 10E is selected, ports 145 and 147 of flow path switching section 140 are connected, and ports 155 and 157 of flow path switching section 150 are connected. When channel section 10F is selected, ports 146 and 147 of flow path switching section 140 are connected, and ports 156 and 157 of flow path switching section 150 are connected.

(2) Operation of the chromatograph Fig. 4 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the chromatograph 100 during pretreatment. As shown in Fig. 4, during pretreatment, a channel part 10 to be used is selected from the channel parts 10A to 10F. The connection of the flow path switching parts 140, 150 is switched so that the selected channel part 10 can be accessed, and the high-pressure valve 20 of the channel part 10 is switched to the first connection state. In addition, the ports 112, 113 of the low-pressure valve 110 are connected. Furthermore, the needle 171 of the sample supply part 170 is inserted into the injection port 30 of the selected channel part 10.

In this case, as shown by the thick solid line in Figure 4, the cleaning liquid supply unit 130 and the waste liquid device 504 are connected by a specified flow path (hereinafter referred to as the cleaning flow path 101). The cleaning flow path 101 includes a low pressure valve 110, a flow path switching unit 150, ports 26 and 25 of the high pressure valve 20, a flow path switching unit 140, a sample supply unit 170, and ports 22 and 21 of the high pressure valve 20. A part of the cleaning flow path 101 is also used as the measurement flow path 102 described later.

In this connected state, the cleaning liquid contained in the cleaning liquid container 502 is supplied to the cleaning flow path 101 by the cleaning liquid supply unit 130. This executes a pre-processing step in which the cleaning flow path 101 is filled with the cleaning liquid, which is the same liquid as the mobile phase used in the measurement. When the pre-processing step is executed, the mobile phase contained in the mobile phase container 503 is supplied to the port 24 of the high-pressure valve 20 by the mobile phase supply unit 50. In this case, a portion of the measurement flow path 102, indicated by the thick dashed line in FIG. 4, is filled with the mobile phase.

Figures 5 to 7 are diagrams for explaining the operation of the chromatograph 100 during measurement. As shown in Figure 5, when measuring a sample after pretreatment, the needle 171 of the sample supply unit 170 is inserted into the sample container 501, and the ports 111 and 113 of the low-pressure valve 110 are connected. In this state, the measuring unit 120 is driven to hold a predetermined volume of sample in the sample loop 172. Next, as shown in Figure 6, the needle 171 of the sample supply unit 170 is inserted into the injection port 30, and the high-pressure valve 20 is switched to the second connection state. In addition, the ports 112 and 113 of the low-pressure valve 110 are connected.

In this case, as shown by the thick dashed line in FIG. 6, the mobile phase supply unit 50 and the mass spectrometer 200 are connected by a predetermined flow path (hereinafter referred to as the measurement flow path 102). The measurement flow path 102 includes ports 24 and 25 of the high-pressure valve 20, a flow path switching unit 140, a sample supply unit 170, an injection port 30, ports 22 and 23 of the high-pressure valve 20, an analytical column 40, and a flow path switching unit 160. In this state, the mobile phase contained in the mobile phase container 503 is supplied to the measurement flow path 102 by the mobile phase supply unit 50. As a result, the sample is supplied to the mobile phase in the sample supply unit 170.

The sample supplied to the mobile phase is separated into its components and eluted in the analytical column 40. The sample eluted from the analytical column 40 is detected by the mass spectrometer 200. After a predetermined time, the high-pressure valve 20 is switched to the first connection state as shown in FIG. 7. In this case, the sample supply unit 170 is disconnected from the measurement flow path 102 while the sample measurement continues.

In this connection state, the cleaning fluid supply unit 130 and the waste fluid device 504 are connected by the cleaning flow path 101, as in the pretreatment of FIG. 4. Here, the cleaning fluid contained in the cleaning fluid container 502 is supplied to the cleaning flow path 101 by the cleaning fluid supply unit 130. This allows the inside of the cleaning flow path 101 to be cleaned with the cleaning fluid while the sample measurement continues. It is also possible to continue the sample measurement in one channel section 10 while performing pretreatment in another channel section 10. This further improves the efficiency of the measurement.

In this way, the high-pressure valve 20 is switched between a first connection state and a second connection state. In the first connection state, the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit 50 is guided to the analytical column 40 through the sample supply unit 170. In the second connection state, the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit 50 is guided to the analytical column 40 without passing through the sample supply unit 170, while the cleaning solution supplied by the cleaning solution supply unit 130 is guided to the sample supply unit 170.

Figure 8 is a time flow showing the operating procedure of the chromatograph 100. As shown in Figure 8, the chromatograph 100 repeats the pre-processing and sample measurement of Figures 4 to 7 using multiple channel sections 10 that are selected in sequence. Samples from multiple channel sections 10 are detected by the mass spectrometer 200 at different periods. In addition, pre-processing in each channel section 10 is performed during the sample detection period in the previous channel section 10. This improves throughput.

(3) Analysis Control Device Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the configuration of the analysis control device 400. As shown in Fig. 9, the analysis control device 400 includes, as functional units, a display control unit 401, a selection unit 402, a timing setting unit 403, a calibration curve setting unit 404, a power supply control unit 405, a batch generation unit 406, an analysis execution unit 407, and a data processing unit 408. The functional units of the analysis control device 400 are realized by the control unit 310 in Fig. 1 executing an analysis control program stored in the storage unit 340 or the like. Some or all of the functional units of the analysis control device 400 may be realized by hardware such as electronic circuits.

The display control unit 401 causes the display unit 360 to display various control screens relating to the control of the multiple channel units 10 of the chromatograph 100. Some of the control screens function as a GUI that allows the user to perform a specified input or selection using the operation unit 350. Examples of the control screens will be described later. The selection unit 402 accepts designation of the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement from the operation unit 350. The user can designate the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement by operating the operation unit 350 through the GUI displayed on the display unit 360. The selection unit 402 selects the accepted channel unit 10.

The timing setting unit 403 accepts the operation periods of the sample supply unit 170, the channel unit 10 selected by the selection unit 402, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408. That is, the timing setting unit 403 functions as an input unit to which the above operation periods are input. The operation period of the sample supply unit 170 includes the execution period of pre-processing. The timing setting unit 403 can also accept the injection amount of sample to be injected from the sample supply unit 170 into the injection port 30 of the channel unit 10 in FIG. 3.

The user can input the above operation period and sample injection amount by operating the operation unit 350 through the GUI displayed on the display unit 360. The timing setting unit 403 sets the operation timing (hereinafter referred to as timing setting) of the sample supply unit 170, the multiple channel units 10, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408 based on the accepted operation period. This sets the sample injection timing by the sample supply unit 170, the timing at which the mass spectrometer 200 detects a sample originating from any of the channel units 10, as well as the period at which the data processing unit 408 processes the signal output from the mass spectrometer 200 by detecting the sample. The timing setting unit 403 also sets the accepted sample injection amount.

The calibration curve setting unit 404 accepts a selection between a setting for creating a calibration curve that corresponds individually to one or more channel units 10 among the multiple channel units 10, and a setting for creating a calibration curve that corresponds commonly to two or more channel units 10. The user can select a setting for creating a calibration curve that corresponds to a desired channel unit 10 (hereinafter referred to as a calibration curve setting) by operating the operation unit 350. The display control unit 401 causes a screen showing the calibration curve setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit 404 to be displayed on the display unit 360 as a control screen.

The processing device 300 is shut down when an abnormality occurs in the analysis system 500, or when a predetermined time has passed since the end of an analysis based on a batch file (hereinafter referred to as batch analysis). The power supply control unit 405 accepts settings for the various components of the analysis system 500 that are to be turned off when the batch analysis ends, and settings for the components that are to be turned off when the processing device 300 is shut down. The components of the analysis system 500 include, for example, a degasser in the cleaning solution supply unit 130, a high-pressure pump in the mobile phase supply unit 50, a column oven that houses the analytical column 40, a sample supply unit 170, or a mass spectrometer 200.

By operating the operation unit 350 through the GUI displayed on the display unit 360, the user can select a target to be powered off when the batch analysis ends as a first target, and select a target to be powered off when the analysis system 500 is shut down as a second target. The power supply control unit 405 turns off the power of the first target or the second target according to the received setting (hereinafter referred to as the shutdown setting).

The batch generation unit 406 receives sample information and analysis conditions to be used in each of the multiple channel units 10 from the operation unit 350. A user can input sample information and analysis conditions to be used in each of the multiple channel units 10 by operating the operation unit 350 through a GUI displayed on the display unit 360. The batch generation unit 406 generates a batch file for controlling the analysis sequence based on the received sample information and analysis conditions. A batch file may be generated for each channel unit 10.

In this embodiment, the sample to be measured and the timing settings made by the timing setting unit 403 are associated as a group, and a name is assigned to the group. If the sample is a standard sample, the group may further include a calibration curve setting made by the calibration curve setting unit 404. The batch generation unit 406 further uses the group selected by the user to generate a batch file.

The analysis execution unit 407 controls the operation of the chromatograph 100, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408 so that preprocessing, sample measurement, detection, and data processing are performed in sequence based on the batch file generated by the batch generation unit 406. This allows the batch analysis to be performed. The configuration of the analysis execution unit 407 will be described later.

The data processing unit 408 acquires and processes sample detection data from the mass spectrometer 200. This generates an MS chromatogram or calculates QC values. The data processing unit 408 also functions as a calibration curve creation unit, and creates a calibration curve to be used in the channel unit 10 based on the calibration curve setting in the calibration curve setting unit 404 and the detection results when a standard sample is supplied to the channel unit 10 related to that setting. This allows the detection data to be quantified.

Figure 10 is a diagram showing the functional blocks of the analysis execution unit 407 in Figure 9. As shown in Figure 10, the analysis execution unit 407 includes a first control unit 1, a second control unit 2, a third control unit 3, a fourth control unit 4, and a main control unit 5. As described above, in this embodiment, the control unit 310 in Figure 1 includes, for example, multiple CPUs. Each of the first control unit 1, the second control unit 2, the third control unit 3, the fourth control unit 4, and the main control unit 5 is realized by a separate CPU executing an analysis control program.

The first control unit 1 mainly controls the sample supply unit 170 to supply a sample. The second control unit 2 mainly controls the flow path switching units 140, 150 to guide the sample supplied by the sample supply unit 170 to one of the multiple channel units 10. The second control unit 2 also controls the flow path switching unit 160 to guide the sample from the channel unit 10 to the mass spectrometer 200.

The third control unit 3 controls the mass spectrometer 200 to detect the sample guided from the channel unit 10. The fourth control unit 4 controls the data processing unit 408 to process data on the sample detected by the mass spectrometer 200. The main control unit 5 controls the operations of the first control unit 1, the second control unit 2, the third control unit 3, and the fourth control unit 4 according to the timing settings made by the timing setting unit 403 in FIG. 9.

According to the above configuration, the first control unit 1, the second control unit 2, the third control unit 3, the fourth control unit 4 and the main control unit 5 are realized by separate CPUs, and therefore can operate independently of each other. This allows the sample supply unit 170, the multiple channel units 10, the mass spectrometer 200 and the data processing unit 408 to operate in parallel to the extent that the analyses do not interfere with each other.

When a channel unit 10 is added, the second control unit 2 is updated by the CPU executing control software installed to correspond to the channel unit 10 to be added. Furthermore, when authentication between the main control unit 5 and the updated second control unit 2 is completed, the channel unit 10 becomes usable. In this way, when a channel unit 10 is added, it is possible to add the control software alone, and there is no need to expand the control unit 310. Therefore, the analysis system 500 can be operated easily and efficiently.

(4) Control Screen An example of a control screen displayed on the display unit 360 by the display control unit 401 in Fig. 9 will be described. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a first control screen. As shown in Fig. 11, a plurality of icons 411 corresponding to the plurality of channel units 10 are displayed on the first control screen 410. In addition, a plurality of buttons 412 corresponding to the plurality of channel units 10 are displayed on the first control screen 410.

Some channel units 10 may be in an unusable state due to the occurrence of an error or the like. Whether each channel unit 10 is in an usable state or not can be determined by the selection unit 402 in FIG. 9 using a detection unit that detects the analysis status of each channel unit 10. The detection unit includes a sensor that detects a signal output during analysis, or a sensor that detects the operating status of the high-pressure pump of the mobile phase supply unit 50.

On the first control screen 410, icons 411 corresponding to channel units 10 that are in a usable state and icons 411 corresponding to channel units 10 that are in an unusable state are displayed in a distinguishable manner. This allows the user to easily recognize channel units 10 that are in a usable state.

In this embodiment, the icon 411 corresponding to the channel unit 10 that is in an unavailable state is displayed in a grayed-out state, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The icon 411 corresponding to the channel unit 10 that is in an unavailable state does not have to be displayed on the first control screen 410. The user can specify the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement by turning on the button 412 corresponding to the desired channel unit 10. The selection unit 402 in FIG. 9 selects the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement based on the user's specification.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of the second control screen. As shown in Figure 12, pull-down menus 421, 422, 423, etc. are displayed on the second control screen 420. By operating the pull-down menus 421 to 423, etc., analysis conditions such as the sample supply unit 170, mass spectrometer 200, and analysis method used in the analysis are input.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of the third control screen. As shown in Figure 13, pull-down menus 431, 432, etc. are displayed on the third control screen 430. By operating the pull-down menu 431, one of a plurality of racks, each of which holds a plurality of sample containers (vials), is selected, and an image 433 showing the selected rack is displayed on the third control screen 430. In the example of Figure 13, the selected rack holds 54 sample containers 501.

By manipulating any part of the sample container on the image 433, the sample container is selected as the sample container to be used for the measurement. Also, by selecting the pull-down menu 432, the type of sample contained in the selected sample container is selected. Sample types include standard samples, unknown samples, control samples, and QA/QC (quality assurance/quality control) samples.

The batch generation unit 406 in FIG. 9 generates a batch file based on the analysis conditions entered in the second control screen 420 and the sample information entered in the third control screen 430. The batch file has a table format. The generated batch file may include a unique rack number, a unique sample container number, a group name, etc. (see FIG. 17 described later).

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the fourth control screen. As shown in Figure 14, a plurality of input fields 441 are displayed on the fourth control screen 440. A pre-processing period, a data collection period, a detection period, a data processing period, and the like are input into the plurality of input fields 441. The timing setting unit 403 in Figure 9 sets the operation periods of the sample supply unit 170, the plurality of channel units 10, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408 based on the input periods.

Furthermore, the fourth control screen 440 displays graphs of the operation periods of the sample supply unit 170, the multiple channel units 10, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408 based on the input periods. In the example of Fig. 14, the operation periods of two channel units 10 selected by the selection unit 402 are displayed, rather than all channel units 10. By visually checking the graphs displayed on the fourth control screen 440, the user can easily input each period so that measurements by the multiple channel units 10 do not interfere with each other.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of the fifth control screen. The fifth control screen 450 is a screen for accepting a shutdown setting. As shown in Figure 15, the fifth control screen 450 is provided with display areas 451 and 452. A plurality of check boxes 453 are displayed in the display area 451. The plurality of check boxes 453 correspond to the degasser, the high-pressure pump, the column oven, the sample supply unit 170, and the mass spectrometer 200, respectively. By checking one or more check boxes 453, the components corresponding to the check boxes 453 are selected as the second target.

The display area 452 displays a plurality of check boxes 454 and an input field 455. The plurality of check boxes 454 correspond to the degasser, the high-pressure pump, the column oven, the sample supply unit 170, and the mass spectrometer 200, respectively. By checking one or more check boxes 454, the component corresponding to the check box 454 is selected as the first target. In the input field 455, the time from the end of the batch analysis to the shutdown of the analysis system 500 is entered.

Note that some components, such as the high-pressure pump, require a relatively long time to reach a stable state after the power is turned on. Also, a high-pressure pump may have a longer life if it is constantly pulsating. For this reason, in the display area 452 of this embodiment, the check box 454 corresponding to the high-pressure pump is displayed as grayed out so that the high-pressure pump cannot be selected as the first target.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the sixth control screen. As shown in Figure 16, the sixth control screen 460 shows whether the calibration curve setting unit 404 in Figure 9 has been set to create a calibration curve corresponding to one or more channel units 10 individually, or whether the calibration curve corresponding to two or more channel units 10 in common has been set. In the example of Figure 16, the setting to create a calibration curve corresponding to two channel units 10 individually is shown by highlighting.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the seventh control screen. As shown in Figure 17, the seventh control screen 470 has display areas 471, 472, and 473. Display area 471 shows a flow path diagram showing the current connection state of the channel unit 10. As the measurement progresses, the display is updated so that it is possible to see which channel unit 10 is being used.

In the example of FIG. 17, the connection between the channel section 10 currently being used and the mass spectrometer 200 is indicated by a thick solid line. Also, the connection between the channel section 10 to be used in the next measurement and the mass spectrometer 200 is indicated by a thin solid line. The display area 471 may also display the ports of the flow path switching sections 140, 150 to which each channel section 10 is connected.

The display area 472 shows a table of the batch file generated by the batch generation unit 406 of FIG. 9. The display area 472 may show a cursor on a line corresponding to a current progress stage in the analysis sequence. The display area 473 shows the pressure change of the high-pressure pump of the channel unit 10 being used. The display area 473 may show the pressure change of the high-pressure pump for each channel unit 10.

As another example of the control screen, the control screen may be a screen for accepting gradient conditions for each channel section 10. Alternatively, the control screen may be a screen for displaying details of an error in the channel section 10. The details of the error may include an abnormality in the high-pressure pump or the time to replace a consumable item. The control screen may show the distribution of QC values for each sample. The control screen may also show the generated MS chromatogram for each channel section 10 in real time. Alternatively, the control screen may show multiple MS chromatograms superimposed on each other.

(5) Analysis Processing Figures 18 and 19 are flowcharts showing an algorithm of the analysis processing performed by the analysis control program. The analysis processing will be explained below with reference to the analysis control device 400 in Figure 9 and the flowcharts in Figures 18 and 19. First, the selection unit 402 judges whether or not the designation of one or more channel units 10 has been accepted (step S1). This designation can be accepted from the first control screen 410 in Figure 11. If the designation of a channel unit 10 is not accepted, the selection unit 402 proceeds to step S3.

When the designation of a channel unit 10 is accepted, the selection unit 402 selects the channel unit 10 as the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement (step S2) and proceeds to step S3. The selection unit 402 selects the channel unit 10 as the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement when the designation of the channel unit 10 is accepted, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The selection unit 402 may use the above detection unit to determine whether each channel unit 10 is in a usable state or not, and select the determined channel unit 10 preferentially. In this case, step S1 is omitted.

In step S3, the timing setting unit 403 determines whether or not the operation periods of the sample supply unit 170, the channel unit 10 selected in step S1, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408 have been accepted (step S3). These operation periods can be accepted from the fourth control screen 440 in FIG. 14. If the operation periods are not accepted, the timing setting unit 403 proceeds to step S5. If the operation periods are accepted, the timing setting unit 403 executes timing setting based on the operation periods (step S4) and proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, the calibration curve setting unit 404 determines whether a selection of settings for creating a calibration curve has been accepted (step S5). If a selection has not been accepted, the calibration curve setting unit 404 proceeds to step S7. If a selection has been accepted, the calibration curve setting unit 404 executes calibration curve setting based on the selection (step S6) and proceeds to step S7. After step S6, the display control unit 401 may cause the display unit 360 to display the sixth control screen 460 of FIG. 16 showing the executed calibration curve setting.

In step S7, the power supply control unit 405 determines whether or not a selection of a first target and a second target has been accepted (step S7). This selection can be accepted from the fifth control screen 450 in FIG. 15. If a selection is not accepted, the power supply control unit 405 proceeds to step S9. If a selection is accepted, the power supply control unit 405 executes a shutdown setting based on the selection (step S8) and proceeds to step S9.

In step S9, the batch generation unit 406 determines whether or not the sample information and analysis conditions have been accepted (step S9). The sample information can be accepted from the third control screen 430 in FIG. 13, and the analysis conditions can be accepted from the second control screen 420 in FIG. 12. If the sample information and analysis conditions have not been accepted, the batch generation unit 406 proceeds to step S11.

When the sample information and analysis conditions are accepted, the batch generation unit 406 generates a batch file based on the sample information and analysis conditions (step S10) and proceeds to step S11. In this embodiment, the timing setting performed in step S4 and the calibration curve setting performed in step S6 are also used to generate the batch file.

In step S11, the analysis execution unit 407 determines whether or not a command to start batch analysis has been issued (step S11). After steps S2, S4, S6, S8, and S10 are completed, the user can issue a command to start batch analysis by performing a predetermined operation using the operation unit 350. If a command to start batch analysis is not issued, the analysis execution unit 407 returns to step S1. Steps S1 to S11 are repeated until a command to start batch analysis is issued. This allows the user to make various specifications or selections again.

When the start of the batch analysis is instructed, the analysis execution unit 407 executes the batch analysis according to the batch file generated in step S10 (step S12). Here, the display control unit 401 causes the display unit 360 to display the seventh control screen 470 of Fig. 17 showing a table of the batch file generated in step S10 and a flow path diagram showing the connection state of the currently used channel unit 10 (step S13).

Thereafter, the analysis execution unit 407 judges whether or not the batch analysis has been completed (step S14). If the batch analysis has not been completed, the analysis execution unit 407 returns to step S12. As a result, the batch analysis is continued in step S12, and the display contents of the seventh control screen 470 are updated in step S13. Steps S12 to S14 are repeated until the batch analysis is completed. The analysis execution unit 407 may receive an instruction to suspend the analysis for each channel unit 10. In this case , it may be set as to whether or not to continue the analysis for a channel unit 10 other than the channel unit 10 for which the suspension has been instructed.

When the batch analysis is completed, the power supply control unit 405 turns off the power supply of the first target according to the shutdown setting executed in step S8 (step S15). Next, the power supply control unit 405 determines whether the time set in the shutdown setting has elapsed (step S16). If the set time has not elapsed, the power supply control unit 405 determines whether the next use of the analysis system 500 is scheduled (step S17). If the next use of the analysis system 500 is not scheduled, the power supply control unit 405 returns to step S16.

Steps S16 and S17 are repeated until the set time has elapsed or the next use of the analysis system 500 is scheduled. If the set time has elapsed in step S16, the power supply control unit 405 turns off the power supply of the second target in accordance with the shutdown setting (step S18), and ends the analysis process.

On the other hand, if the next use of the analysis system 500 is scheduled in step S17, the power supply control unit 405 ends the analysis process without turning off the power supply of the second target. In this case, the next analysis using the analysis system 500 can be started in a relatively short period of time. The power supply control unit 405 may detect whether an abnormality has occurred in the analysis system 500, and if an abnormality is detected during execution of a batch analysis, execute step S18 as an interrupt process.

(6) Effects In the analysis system 500 according to this embodiment, samples are efficiently measured by the multiple channel units 10. Even when multiple channel units 10 are provided, a control screen related to the control of the multiple channel units 10 is displayed on the display unit 360, so that the operation of the analysis system 500 can be easily recognized. This can improve usability.

For example, by visually checking the seventh control screen 470, the user can easily recognize which sample is being measured in which channel section 10. Also, if an abnormality occurs in the analysis system 500, the user can easily confirm which channel section 10 the abnormality occurred in. Furthermore, since the user can simultaneously check the batch file, if an abnormality occurs in the analysis system 500, the user can identify the cause and easily identify a series of samples that may have been affected by the measurement results.

The user can easily recognize the channel unit 10 that is in a usable state by visually checking the first control screen 410 without actually checking the state of the actual channel unit 10. This allows the user to easily select the channel unit 10 to be used for measurement.

By visually checking the fourth control screen 440, the user can easily recognize the operation periods of the sample supply unit 170, the channel unit 10, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408. This allows the user to intuitively set appropriate operation timings for the sample supply unit 170, the channel unit 10, the mass spectrometer 200, and the data processing unit 408.

The user can easily set the targets for which the power is to be turned off when the batch file finishes executing or the processing device 300 is shut down while checking them on the fifth control screen 450. Furthermore, even when multiple channel units 10 are provided, the user can easily create an appropriate calibration curve, and can easily recognize the calibration curve settings by visually checking the sixth control screen 460.

In addition, in this embodiment, even when multiple channel units 10 are provided, the sample supply unit 170, channel units 10, mass spectrometer, and data processing unit 408 can be operated in parallel by the first control unit 1, the second control unit 2, the third control unit 3, the fourth control unit 4, and the main control unit 5 to the extent that the analyses do not interfere with each other. This can improve throughput and usability.

(7) Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the analysis system 500 includes the cleaning liquid supply unit 130, the sample supply unit 170, the mass spectrometer 200, and the display unit 360, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The analysis system 500 does not need to include some or all of the cleaning liquid supply unit 130, the sample supply unit 170, the mass spectrometer 200, and the display unit 360, as long as it is connectable to the cleaning liquid supply unit, the sample supply unit, the detector, and the display unit.

The analysis system 500 does not need to be connected to the cleaning liquid supply unit 130. Even in this case, when the high-pressure valve 20 is in the first connection state, the sample supplied by the sample supply unit 170 is introduced to the analysis column 40 together with the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit 50. When the high-pressure valve 20 is in the second connection state, the sample trapped in the analysis column 40 is separated into components by the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit 50 and introduced to the mass spectrometer 200.

Therefore, in each channel section 10, the high-pressure valve 20 is switched between the first connection state and the second connection state, and the sample supply section 170 is disconnected from the measurement flow path 102 while the sample measurement continues. This makes it possible to perform sample measurement in one channel section 10 and sample supply in another channel section 10 in parallel. This further improves the efficiency of the measurement.

(8) Aspects It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above exemplary embodiments are specific examples of the following aspects.

(Item 1) An analysis system according to one aspect includes:
An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
When the sample supplied by the sample supply unit is selectively guided to the plurality of channel units,
a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit,
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
The sample supply system may further include an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply section into components and guides the components to the detector.

In this analysis system, samples are measured efficiently using multiple channel sections. Even when multiple channel sections are provided, a control screen for controlling the multiple channel sections is displayed on the display section, making it possible to easily recognize the operation of the analysis system. This improves usability.

(2) In the analysis system according to the first aspect,
Each of the multiple channel sections may further include a high-pressure valve that is switchable between a first connection state in which the sample supplied by the sample supply section is guided to the analytical column together with the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply section, and a second connection state in which the sample trapped in the analytical column is separated into components by the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply section and guided to the detector.

In this case, in each channel section, the high-pressure valve is switched between the first connection state and the second connection state, so that the sample supply section is separated from the measurement flow path while the sample measurement continues. This makes it possible to perform sample measurement in one channel section and sample supply in another channel section in parallel. This further improves the efficiency of the measurement.

(3) The analysis system according to the first aspect,
Further, it is used together with a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid,
the flow path switching unit selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit or the cleaning solution supplied by the cleaning solution supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
Each of the multiple channel sections may further include a high-pressure valve that is switchable between a first connection state in which the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply section is guided to the analytical column through the sample supply section, and a second connection state in which the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply section is guided to the analytical column without passing through the sample supply section while the cleaning solution supplied by the cleaning solution supply section is guided to the sample supply section.

In this case, in each channel section, the high-pressure valve is switched between the first connection state and the second connection state, so that the sample supply section is cleaned while the sample measurement continues. This further improves the efficiency of the measurement.

(4) The analysis system according to any one of the first to third aspects,
a batch generation unit that generates a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information on a sample to be used in any one of the channel units and analysis conditions;
The apparatus may further include an analysis execution unit that controls operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit based on a batch file generated by the batch generation unit.

With this configuration, even if multiple channel sections are provided, sample analysis is efficiently performed by one of the channel sections according to the batch file. This further improves usability.

(5) In the analysis system according to the above (4),
The display control unit may cause the display unit to display, as the control screen, a screen showing a table of batch files generated by the batch generation unit and a flow path diagram showing the current connection state of the channel units.

In this case, by visually checking the control screen, the user can easily recognize which sample is being measured in which channel. Furthermore, if an abnormality occurs in the analysis system, the user can easily confirm which channel the abnormality occurred in. Furthermore, since the user can check the batch file at the same time, if an abnormality occurs in the analysis system, the user can identify the cause and easily identify the series of samples that may have been affected by the measurement results.

(6) The analysis system according to the fourth or fifth aspect,
A power supply control unit is further provided.
the display control unit causes the display unit to display, as the control screen, a screen for receiving a setting of a target among the sample supply unit, the detector, and the mobile phase supply unit to be turned off when execution of the batch file generated by the batch generation unit is completed, and a setting of a target to be turned off when the analysis execution unit is shut down;
The power supply control unit may turn off the power supply of the sample supply unit, the detector, or the mobile phase supply unit in accordance with the settings received on the control screen.

In this case, the user can easily set the items to be powered off when the batch file finishes executing or the analysis execution unit is shut down while checking them on the control screen.

(7) In the analysis system according to any one of (1) to (6),
The display control section may cause the display section to display, as the control screen, a screen that distinguishes between available channel sections and unavailable channel sections.

In this case, the user can easily recognize which channel parts are available for use by visually checking the control screen, without having to actually check the status of the actual channel parts. This allows the user to easily select the channel part to be used for measurement.

(Item 8) The analysis system according to any one of items 1 to 7,
a data processing unit that processes detection data of the sample by the detector;
A timing setting unit is further provided,
the display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen showing a graph of an operation period of the sample supply unit, any one of the channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit as the control screen;
The timing setting unit may set the timing of sample injection by the sample supply unit, the timing of detection of a sample derived from any of the channel units by the detector, as well as a period for processing a signal output from the detector by detecting the sample in the data processing unit.

In this case, the user can easily recognize the operation periods of the sample supply unit, channel unit, detector, and data processing unit by visually checking the control screen. This allows the user to intuitively set appropriate operation timings for the sample supply unit, channel unit, detector, and data processing unit.

(Item 9) The analysis system according to any one of items 1 to 8,
a calibration curve setting unit that accepts a selection between a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding to one or more individual channel parts among the plurality of channel parts and a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding to two or more channel parts in common;
a calibration curve creation unit that creates a calibration curve to be used in the channel unit based on the setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit and the sample introduced into the channel unit related to the setting;
The display control unit may cause the display unit to display a screen indicating the setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit as the control screen.

This configuration makes it easy to create an appropriate calibration curve even when multiple channel sections are provided. In addition, the user can easily recognize the settings for creating the selected calibration curve by visually checking the control screen.

(10) An analysis system according to another aspect includes:
An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
an analysis control device;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
The analysis control device includes:
A data processing unit;
an input unit to which operation timings of the sample supply unit, any one of the plurality of channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit are input;
A first control unit that controls the sample supply unit to supply a sample;
a second control unit that controls the flow path switching unit so that the sample supplied by the sample supply unit is guided to any one of the channel units;
a third control unit that controls the detector to detect a sample guided from any one of the channel units;
a fourth control unit that controls the data processing unit to process data on the sample detected by the detector;
The power supply device may further include a main control unit that controls the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit and the fourth control unit in accordance with operation timing input to the input unit.

In this analysis system, samples are efficiently measured by multiple channel units. Even when multiple channel units are provided, the first control unit, second control unit, third control unit, fourth control unit, and main control unit can operate the sample supply unit, channel unit, mass spectrometer, and data processing unit in parallel to the extent that the analyses do not interfere with each other. This can improve throughput and usability.

(Item 11) An analysis method according to yet another aspect includes:
An analysis method used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit;
displaying a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
The sample supply system may further include an analytical column that separates the sample supplied by the sample supply section into components and guides the components to the detector.

According to this analysis method, even when multiple channel units are provided, a control screen related to the control of the multiple channel units is displayed on the display unit, so the user can easily recognize the operation of the analysis system. This improves usability.

1...First control unit, 2...Second control unit, 3...Third control unit, 4...Fourth control unit, 5...Main control unit, 10, 10A to 10F...Channel unit, 20...High pressure valve, 21 to 26, 111 to 113, 141 to 147, 151 to 157...Port, 30...Injection port, 40...Analysis column, 50...Mobile phase supply unit, 100...Chromatograph, 101...Washing flow path, 102...Measurement flow path, 110 ...Low pressure valve, 120...Measuring section, 130...Cleaning liquid supply section, 140, 150, 160...Flow path switching section, 170...Sample supply section, 171...Needle, 172...Sample loop, 173...Driver, 200...Mass spectrometer, 300...Processing device, 310...Control section, 320...RAM, 330...ROM, 340...Memory section, 350...Operation section, 360...Display section, 370...Input/output I/F, 380 ...bus, 400...analysis control device, 401...display control unit, 402...selection unit, 403...timing setting unit, 404...calibration curve setting unit, 405...power supply control unit, 406...batch generation unit, 407...analysis execution unit, 408...data processing unit, 410...first control screen, 411...icon, 412...button, 420...second control screen, 421-423, 431, 432...pull-down menu, 430...Third control screen, 433...Image, 440...Fourth control screen, 441, 455...Input field, 450...Fifth control screen, 451, 452, 471-473...Display area, 453, 454...Check box, 460...Sixth control screen, 470...Seventh control screen, 500...Analysis system, 501...Sample container, 502...Washing liquid container, 503...Mobile phase container, 504...Waste liquid device

Claims (13)

An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit ;
a calibration curve setting unit that accepts a selection between a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding to one or more individual channel parts among the plurality of channel parts and a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding to two or more channel parts in common;
a calibration curve creation unit that creates a calibration curve to be used in the channel unit based on the setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit and the sample introduced into the channel unit related to the setting,
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector ;
The display control unit causes a screen indicating the setting selected in the calibration curve setting unit to be displayed on the display unit as the control screen . The analytical system according to claim 1, further comprising a high-pressure valve that can be switched between a first connection state in which the sample supplied by the sample supply unit is guided to the analytical column together with the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit, and a second connection state in which the sample trapped in the analytical column is separated into components by the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit and guided to the detector. The analytical system is further used with a cleaning solution supply unit that supplies a cleaning solution,
the flow path switching unit selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit or the cleaning solution supplied by the cleaning solution supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
The analytical system of claim 1, further comprising a high-pressure valve that can be switched between a first connection state in which the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit is guided to the analytical column through the sample supply unit, and a second connection state in which the mobile phase supplied by the mobile phase supply unit is guided to the analytical column without passing through the sample supply unit while the cleaning solution supplied by the cleaning solution supply unit is guided to the sample supply unit. An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit;
a batch generation unit that generates a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information on a sample to be used in any one of the channel units and analysis conditions;
an analysis execution unit that controls operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit based on the batch file generated by the batch generation unit ;
A power supply control unit ,
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
the display control unit causes the display unit to display, as the control screen, a screen for receiving a setting of a target among the sample supply unit, the detector, and the mobile phase supply unit to be turned off when execution of the batch file generated by the batch generation unit is completed, and a setting of a target to be turned off when the analysis execution unit is shut down;
The power supply control unit turns off the power supply of the sample supply unit, the detector, or the mobile phase supply unit in accordance with the settings received on the control screen . An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit;
a batch generation unit that generates a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information on a sample to be used in any one of the channel units and analysis conditions;
an analysis execution unit that controls operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit based on a batch file generated by the batch generation unit;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
The display control unit displays on the display unit as the control screen a screen that shows a table of the batch file generated by the batch generation unit and a flow path diagram showing the current connection status of the channel units , and that shows the part of the batch file corresponding to the current progress stage in the analysis sequence in a manner that is distinguishable from other parts . An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit;
a determination unit for determining whether each channel unit is in an unusable state due to an occurrence of an error,
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
The display control unit causes the display unit to display , as the control screen, a screen that distinguishes between channel units that are in a usable state and channel units that are in a non-usable state due to the occurrence of an error . An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
a display control unit that causes a control screen related to control of the plurality of channel units to be displayed on the display unit;
a data processing unit that processes detection data of the sample by the detector;
A timing setting unit ,
Equipped with
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
the display control unit causes the display unit to display a screen showing a graph of an operation period of the sample supply unit, any one of the channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit as the control screen;
The timing setting unit sets the timing of sample injection by the sample supply unit, the timing of detection of a sample derived from any of the channel units by the detector, and the period for processing the signal output from the detector by detecting the sample in the data processing unit. An analysis system used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
A plurality of channel portions arranged in parallel;
a flow path switching unit that selectively guides the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to the plurality of channel units;
an analysis control device;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
The analysis control device includes:
A data processing unit;
an input unit to which operation timings of the sample supply unit, any one of the plurality of channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit are input;
A first control unit that controls the sample supply unit to supply a sample;
a second control unit that controls the flow path switching unit so that the sample supplied by the sample supply unit is guided to any one of the channel units;
a third control unit that controls the detector to detect a sample guided from any one of the channel units;
a fourth control unit that controls the data processing unit to process data on the sample detected by the detector;
an analysis system comprising: a main control unit that controls the first control unit, the second control unit, the third control unit, and the fourth control unit in accordance with operation timing input to the input unit. An analysis method used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit;
displaying a control screen relating to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit ;
Accepting a selection between a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding to one or more individual channel parts among the plurality of channel parts and a setting for creating a calibration curve corresponding to two or more common channel parts;
generating a calibration curve for use with the channel section based on the selected setting and the samples introduced into the channel section for that setting ;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector ;
The analysis method, wherein displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying a screen indicating a selected setting as the control screen on the display unit . An analysis method used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit;
displaying a control screen relating to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit;
generating a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information on a sample to be used in any one of the channel sections and analysis conditions;
and controlling the operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit by an analysis execution unit based on the generated batch file;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
Displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying, as the control screen, a screen for receiving a setting of the sample supply unit, the detector, and the mobile phase supply unit, which are to be turned off when the execution of the generated batch file is completed, and a setting of the target unit, which are to be turned off when the analysis execution unit is shut down, among the sample supply unit, the detector, and the mobile phase supply unit;
and turning off the power of the sample supply unit, the detector, or the mobile phase supply unit in accordance with the settings received on the control screen. An analysis method used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit;
displaying a control screen relating to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit;
generating a batch file for controlling an analysis sequence based on information on a sample to be used in any one of the channel sections and analysis conditions;
and controlling the operations of the flow path switching unit and the sample supply unit by an analysis execution unit based on the generated batch file;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
The analysis method includes displaying the control screen on the display unit as the control screen, which shows a table of the generated batch file and a flow path diagram showing the current connection status of the channel section, and displays on the display unit a screen that shows the part of the batch file corresponding to the current progress stage in the analysis sequence in a manner that is distinguishable from other parts. An analysis method used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit;
displaying a control screen relating to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit;
determining whether each channel unit is in an unusable state due to an occurrence of an error;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
The analysis method includes displaying the control screen on the display unit as the control screen a screen that distinguishes between channel sections that are in a usable state and channel sections that are unusable due to the occurrence of an error. An analysis method used together with a sample supply unit for supplying a sample, a detector for detecting the sample, and a display unit, comprising:
selectively guiding the sample supplied by the sample supply unit to a plurality of channel units arranged in parallel by a flow path switching unit;
displaying a control screen relating to control of the plurality of channel units on the display unit;
processing sample detection data by the detector using a data processing unit;
Each of the plurality of channel portions is
A mobile phase supply unit that supplies a mobile phase;
an analytical column for separating the sample supplied by the sample supply unit into components and guiding the components to the detector;
Displaying the control screen on the display unit includes displaying a screen showing a graph of an operation period of the sample supply unit, any one of the channel units, the detector, and the data processing unit as the control screen on the display unit;
An analytical method including setting a timing for injecting a sample by the sample supply unit, a timing for detecting a sample derived from any one of the channel units by the detector, and a period for processing a signal output from the detector by detecting the sample in the data processing unit.

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